| History |
Fulbert of Falaise (fl. 11th century) was the father of Herleva, mother of the illegitimate William the Conqueror, the 11th-century Duke of Normandy and King of England. The Walter of Falaise named by Orderic Vitalis is likely a son.
Fulbert has traditionally been held to be a tanner, based on translations of Orderic's additions to the Gesta Normannorum Ducum. He writes that during the siege of Alençon (1051-2), the natives had been mutilated by William after they called him a pelliciarius (pelterer), because his mother's kinsmen had been pollinctores (corpse preparers). One later poetic source interpreted the occupation to be that of tailor, but in part due to flawed transcripts of the original, many historians have concluded he was a tanner.[1] Others have favored a more literal reading, that Herleva's family had been undertakers or embalmers.[2]
Orderic also added to the Gesta that Fulbert served as the Duke's chamberlain (cubicularii ducis).[3] It has been suggested that this occurred after William's birth.[4] Perhaps linking Orderic's two additions, contemporary practice made the chamberlain one of the persons responsible for burials.[5]
Notes[edit]
icon Normandy portal
Jump up ^ e.g. Freeman, ii, 610-17; Douglas, 379-80; de Bouard, 84-5.
Jump up ^ van Houts
Jump up ^ van Houts, 403; Crouch
Jump up ^ Douglas, 381; van Houts, 403
Jump up ^ van Houts, 403, citing Lanfranc.
References[edit]
Crouch, David (2002). The Normans - The History of a Dynasty.
de Bouard, M. (1984). William the Conqueror.
Douglas, David C. (1963). William the Conqueror.
Freeman, Edward A. (1870). The History of the Norman Conquest.
van Houts, Elisabeth M. C. (1986). "The Origins of Herleva, Mother of William the Conqueror". The English Historical Review. 101 (399): 399–404. doi:10.1093/ehr/ci.cccxcix.399.
[1] |
| History |
Fulbert of Falaise and his wife Doda were the parents of Herleve, mother of the illegitimate William the Conqueror, the 11th century duke of Normandy and king of England.
Fulbert has traditionally been held to be a tanner, but recent study of early sources questions this, proposing that his trade involved preparing corpses for burial and that he might even have been an embalmer. During the siege of Alençon (1051-2) William was taunted by his enemies for his grandfather\'s unworthy occupation. After the birth of William, Fulbert was appointed the Duke\'s chamberlain. Contemporary practice made the chamberlain one of the persons responsible for burials.
However, some argue that Fulbert was not a tanner or embalmer but rather a member of the burgher class. The idea is supported by the fact that Herleve\'s brothers appear in a later document as attesters for an under-age William. Also, the count of Flanders later accepted Herleve as a proper guardian for his own daughter. Both facts would be nearly impossible if their father was little more than a peasant. [2] |
Ellie Wood Keith Genealogy
