History |
Judith of Brittany, also called Judith of Rennes (982–1017), was Duchess of Normandy from c.?1000 until her death.
Life[edit]
Judith, born in 982, was the daughter of Conan I, Duke of Brittany and Ermengarde-Gerberga of Anjou.[1] She was the mother of Robert I, Duke of Normandy and paternal grandmother of William the Conqueror.[2]
She was a part of an important double marriage alliance between Normandy and Brittany first recorded by William of Jumièges.[3] In 996 her brother Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany married Hawise of Normandy, daughter of Richard I, Duke of Normandy while in c. 1000 Judith married Richard II, Duke of Normandy, Hawise\'s brother.[4] The duchess Judith died on 28 August 1017[1] and was buried in the abbey of Bernay, which she had founded in 1013.[5]
Family[edit]
Judith married Richard II, Duke of Normandy[6] c.?1000.[2] They had six children:
Richard (c. 1002/4), Duke of Normandy.[2]
Alice of Normandy (c. 1003/5), married Renaud I, Count of Burgundy.[2]
Robert (c. 1005/7), Duke of Normandy.[2]
William (c. 1007/9), monk at Fécamp, d. 1025.[2]
Eleanor (c. 1011/3), married to Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders.[2]
Matilda (c. 1013/5), nun at Fecamp, d. 1033. She died young and unmarried.[7] |
History |
Judith was born in Brittany about 982, the daughter of Conon I \'le Tort\', duc de Bretagne, and Ermengarde d\'Anjou. About the year 1000 she became the first wife of Richard II \'the Good\', duke of Normandy, son of Richard I \'the Fearless\', duke of Normandy, and his wife Gunnor. They had six children of whom four would have progeny, including Richard III and Robert, known as \'the Devil\', who would both be dukes of Normandy.
About 1010 Judith founded the abbey of Bernay, thanks to a dower from her husband during their marriage. She died in Normandy on 17 June 1017, and was buried in the abbey she had founded. Since the Revolution her grave remains in the Church of Notre Dame de la Couture in Bernay. [2] |