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 1038 - 1090 (52 years)
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| Name |
Robert DE MORTAIN, 2ND EARL OF CORNWALL, SIRE DE CONTEVILLE |
| Born |
1036/1038 |
Avranches, Normandie, France  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
8 Dec 1090 |
Normandie, France |
| Buried |
Grestain Abbey, Normandie, France |
| Person ID |
I13573 |
Young Kent Ancestors |
| Last Modified |
21 Mar 2016 |
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| Notes |
- uterine half-brother of illegitimate William the Conqueror and uterine full brother of Bishop Odo of Bayeux.
Source :
"Robert de Conteville dit Robert de Mortain († peut-être un 9 décembre, en 1090 ou après 1095), fut comte de Mortain, et un officieux comte de Cornouailles à partir de 1068. Il devint le troisième sujet le plus riche d'Angleterre après la conquête normande de l'Angleterre.
Famille
Il est le fils cadet de Herluin (v. 1001-v. 1066), vicomte de Conteville, et d'Arlette de Falaise (v. 1010-v. 1050). Sa mère, ancienne < frilla > (ou épouse à la manière danoise) du duc de Normandie Robert le Magnifique (v. 1010-1035) est la mère de Guillaume le Bâtard (plus tard le Conquérant) (v. 1027-1087). Son frère aîné est Odon, évêque de Bayeux et comte de Kent.
Il est souvent considéré qu'Odon était l'aîné, mais on ne connaît pas avec précision la date de leur naissance. J. R. Planché a proposé celle de 1031 pour Robert, mais sans preuves tangibles. Il est possible que Robert ne soit pas né avant 1040.
Ascension
Robert de Mortain doit son ascension au duc de Normandie, Guillaume le Conquérant, son demi-frère. Après les années de trouble de son adolescence, celui-ci se constitue un réseau d'hommes de confiance dans le duché.
Vers 1049-1050 d'après Orderic Vital, ou peu après 1055 d'après des chartes qui nous sont parvenues, voire aux alentours de 1060 et peut-être pas avant 1063, le comte de Mortain Guillaume Guerlenc tombe en défaveur et est exilé. Il est assez probable qu'il soit déposé à la fin des années 1050, après les batailles de Mortemer (1054) et Varaville (1057). Robert de Mortain apparaît pour la première fois au commande du comté dans une charte datée de 1063. On ne sait pas si la raison de cet évincement était réellement fondée. Orderic Vital raconte qu'il était impliqué dans un complot contre le duc et qu'il est banni et doit s'exiler. Le duc le remplace par son demi-frère.
Comté de Mortain ...
Conquête de l'Angleterre
Il participe au concile de Lillebonne durant lequel les barons du duché sont consultés sur le projet d'invasion de l'Angleterre. Il y promet de contribuer pour 120 navires à la flotte qui débarquera outre-manche. Il accompagne son demi-frère Guillaume dans sa conquête de l'Angleterre.
Il fournit un soutien militaire efficace à la bataille de Hastings et durant la soumission du royaume qui s'ensuit (1066-1069). Il y a peu de doute sur le fait qu'il est l'un des leaders d'une partie de l'armée sur le champ de bataille. En 1069, il est chargé par le roi avec Robert d'Eu de surveiller les Danois dont la flotte mouille dans l'embouchure de l'Humbe, pendant que celui-ci va réprimer la révolte initiée par Eadric le Sauvage dans l'ouest. Quand les Danois sortent de leur lieu de retraite pour piller le voisinage, les deux hommes et leur armée leur tombent dessus à l'improviste, dans le nord du Lindsey, et les écrasent, les forçant à s'enfuir par la mer.
Il est présent assez souvent en Angleterre durant les cinq premières années de Guillaume le Conquérant. Ses activités nationales sont toutefois assez limitées. Il est par exemple juge à la cour royale dans trois procès, notamment ceux concernant les terres d'Ely. Durant les années suivantes, il passe la majeure partie de son temps en Normandie. Il est possible qui soit justicier du royaume en 1071.
En 1081, il est mentionné par une chronique contemporaine comme étant l'un des otages, avec son fils, donné pour garantir un accord entre le Conquérant et le comte Foulque IV d'Anjou.
Possessions anglaises ... Relations avec la Bretagne ... Fin de vie et portrait ...
Mariages et descendance
Avant 1058, il épouse Mathilde (ou Maud) de Montgommery (après 1039-1085), fille de Roger II de Montgommery, seigneur de Montgommery, et plus tard 1er comte de Shrewsbury, et de Mabile de Bellême. Elle est inhumée à Grestain. Ils ont pour descendance connue :
Guillaume (prob. v. 1060 \endash après 1140), comte de Mortain ;
Agnès, qui est promise d'abord à Guillaume de Grandmesnil, et épouse André, seigneur de Vitré en 1091;
Emma (v. 1058 \endash après 1080), épouse Guillaume IV (v. 1040-1092), comte de Toulouse. Leur fille Philippa épouse Guillaume IX de Poitiers, duc d'Aquitaine;
Denise († 1090), épouse Guy II, sire de Laval, en 1078.
En secondes noces, avant 1088, il épouse Almodis, très probablement liée aux comtes de la Marche, peut-être une fille du comte Pons de Toulouse. Ils ont un fils prénommé Robert qui meurt jeune.
Il a aussi une fille nommée Sybil qui est abbesse de Notre-Dame de Saintes.
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Source :
"Robert, Count of Mortain, 1st Earl of Cornwall (died 1095) was a Norman nobleman and the half-brother of William I of England. Robert was the son of Herluin de Conteville and Herleva of Falaise (who was also William's mother) and was full brother to Odo of Bayeux. The exact year of Robert's birth is unknown (perhaps ca. 1038), although it is generally thought that Odo was the elder of the two, and that Robert was probably not more than a year or so younger than his sibling: there is considerable doubt about the year of Odo's birth.
Count of Mortain
His name first appears in or about the year 1049 when he was made Count of Mortain in the Cotentin, in place of one William Warlenc, who had been banished by Duke William on suspicion of treason. The suspicion is that this William Warlenc was a grandson of Duke Richard I and therefore a potential rival to William the Bastard.
Five years later Robert was to be found supporting William against the French King Henri I's invasion of Normandy, although he does not appear to have taken part in the famous victory of the battle of Mortemer. He was however present at the council of Lillebonne in 1066, held to discuss the Duke's planned conquest of England when Robert agreed to contribute 120 ships to the invasion fleet. Robert in all probability fought at Hastings, yet he is not one of the proven Companions of William the Conqueror, as he was not recorded as having been such by contemporary chroniclers, who made notice of only 15 out of the many hundreds undoubtedly there. Later sources however do place him at William's side at the Battle of Hastings where he commanded a company of knights from the Cotentin, although he seems to have played no heroic role at the battle. When granting the monastery of St Michael's Mount to the Norman monastery on the Mont-Saint-Michel Robert recorded that he had fought under the banner of St Michael ("habens in bello Sancti Michaelis vexillum").
Lands granted by William the Conqueror
Robert's contribution to the success of the invasion was clearly regarded as highly significant by William who awarded him a large share of the consequent spoil. He was granted the rape of Pevensey in Sussex and a total of 549 manors scattered across the country; 54 in Sussex, 75 in Devon, 49 in Dorset, 29 in Buckinghamshire, 13 in Hertfordshire, 10 in Suffolk, 99 in Northamptonshire, 196 in Yorkshire, and 24 in other counties. However the greatest concentration of his landed wealth was in Cornwall (where he held a further 248 manors at the time of the compilation of the Domesday Book, together with the castles of Launceston and Trematon) although these Cornish estates were not granted to him until after 1072 when Brian of Brittany decided to return home. His position of authority in the south west has therefore led many to consider him as the Earl of Cornwall, although it appears uncertain whether he was formally created as such.
Later life
His one public act after the conquest took place in 1069, when together with his cousin and namesake Robert of Eu, he led an army against a force of Danes who had landed at the mouth of the Humber and laid siege to York. As the Norman forces approached the Danes decided to retreat to the Fens where they fancied they would be safe. The two Roberts however surprised the Danes whilst they were being entertained by the disaffected natives and ""pursued them with great slaughter to their very ships"".
After that there is little mention of Robert (who may well have spent much of his time in Normandy) until he appears at the deathbed of William I in 1087 pleading for the release of his brother Odo who had been imprisoned for revolt earlier in 1082. It is said that William was reluctant to accede to the request, believing that Odo was an incorrigible rogue. As it happens William was right, for as soon as the Conqueror was dead, Odo was soon fomenting a revolt against the Conqueror's successor to the English throne William Rufus, and promoting the claims of Rufus' elder brother and rival Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. Odo persuaded his brother to join in the rebellion which proved a failure. But whilst Odo was exiled to Normandy by William Rufus, Robert of Mortain was excused punishment and pardoned, most probably because his extensive English estates meant that it was worthwhile for the king to gain his support.
Family life, character and death
Nothing is known of Robert's life afterwards; it seems that he died sometime between the accession of William Rufus and the year 1103, by which time his son William, Count of Mortain had most certainly succeeded him, most probably sometime around the year 1095.
Robert was married to Matilda, daughter of Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and by her left a son, the aforementioned William of Mortain, and three daughters; Agnes who married André de Vitry, Denise, married in 1078 to Guy, 3rd Sire de La Val; and Emma of Mortain, the wife of William IV of Toulouse.
"He is described by William of Malmesbury as a man of a heavy, sluggish disposition, but no foul crimes are laid to his charge. He had evidently the courage of his race, and his conduct as a commander is unassociated with any act of cruelty. Scandal has not been busy with his name as a husband. No discords are known to have disturbed his domestic felicity."
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Source (Montgomerie) :
"... Mathilde, or Maud, married Robert, Earl of Moreton in Normandy, and Earl of Cornwall in England, who was half-brother of William the Conqueror.4 They had :
1. William, Earl of Cornwall, who rebelled against Henry I., supporting the claims of Duke Robert to the throne, and joining the party at the head of which was his uncle Robert de Belesme. He was attainted, and died a prisoner. From his son Adelme de Burgh, who married. Agnes, daughter of Lewis VII. of France, descends the Marquis of Clanricarde.
2. A daughter, married Andrew, Lord of Vitre, in Brittany, son of Robert de Vitre, who was at Hastings.
3. A daughter, married Guy de Laval.
4. Emma, married William, Earl of Tholouse, who died in the Holy Land in 1093."
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Source <http://www.theharmons.us/harmon_t/b469.htm> :
"...Robert de Moreton, Earl of Cornwall with a grant of 793 manors. In the time of William Rufus, this nobleman joining his brother, the Earl of Kent, raised the standard of rebellion in favour of Robert Curthose, and held the castle of Pevensey for that prince. He delivered it up, however, upon its being invested by the king, and made his peace. His lordship m. Maud, dau. of Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, and had issue, William, his successor, and three daus., whose christian names are unknown: the eldest m. Andrew de Vitrei; the 2nd m. Guy de Val; and the youngest m. the Earl of Thoulouse. The time of the Earl of Cornwall's death has not been ascertained, "but if he lived," says Dugdale, "after King William Rufus so fatally lost his life by the glance of an arrow in New Forest from the bow of Walter Tirell, then it was unto him that this strange apparition happened, which I shall here speak of; otherwise, it must be to his son and successor, Earl William, the story whereof is as followeth. In the very hour that the king received the fatal stroke, the Earl of Cornwall being hunting in a wood at a distance from the place and, left alone by his attendants, was accidentally met by a very great black goat bearing the king all black and naked and wounded through the midst of his breast. Adjuring the goat by the Holy Trinity to tell what that was he so carried, he answered, 'I am carrying your king to judgement, yea, that tyrant, William Rufus, for I am an evil spirit and the revenger of malice which he bore to the church of God, and it was I that did cause this his slaughter; the protomartyr of England, St. Alban, commanded me so to do, who complained to God of him for his grievous oppressions in the Isle of Britain, which he first hallowed. All which the earl soon after related to his followers." His lordship was s. by his son, William de Moreton, 2nd Earl of Cornwall. [Sir Bernard Burke, Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages, Burke's Peerage, Ltd., London, 1883, p. 381, Moreton, or (more correctly,) de Burgo, Earls of Cornwall]"
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Source <http://ekladata.com/ZWozYa4ohuYqs1TAB8l4xpkux9Q/Avranches-Mortain-Gorron-arbre-second.doc>:
"Robert de Mortain * Maud de Montgomery, Comte de Mortain par Guillaume 1er de Normandie. Seigneur de Conteville il eut pour frère Eudes de Conteville; Seigneur de Gorron en Mayenne par son ½ frère Guillaume 1er de Normandie.
- Denise de Mortain * Guy II de Laval
- ? N. de Gorron ( ?) * Goffredus Riwallonius filius ..."
Robert married Mathilde DE MONTGOMMERY [636], daughter of Lord Roger II DE MONTGOMMERY, Dit Roger Le Grand, Earl Of Shrewsbury [637] and Mabille DE BELLEME [646], before 1058 in Evreux, Normandie, France.1 2 3 (Mathilde DE MONTGOMMERY [636] was born in , Normandie, France,1 3 died about 1085 in , , France 1 and was buried in Abbaye de Grestain, Normandie, France.)
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ROBERT de Mortain ([1036/38]-8 Dec after [1087/91], bur abbaye de Grestain). Guillaume of Jumièges names “Herleva Fulberti cubicularii ducis filia” as the mother of “Willelmus...ex concubina Roberti ducis...natus“, and that after Duke Robert died “Herluinus...miles” married her by whom he had “duos filios Odonem et Robertum”[871]. Florence of Worcester names Robert as the brother of King William I "but only on his mother's side"[872]. Orderic Vitalis records that Guillaume Duke of Normandy granted “multis honoribus in Normannia et Anglia” to “Herluinus...de Contavilla...filios eius: Radulfus, quem de alia conjuge procreaverat, fratresque suos uterinos: Odonis et Rodbertum”[873]. [Vicomte. Geoffrey Richard Driscoll Tobin has suggested that the third and fourth witnesses in the following charter were Robert and Eudes, sons of Vicomte Herluin[874]: "Comes Eudo et nepos eius Gaufridus, Robertus vicecomes et frater eius Eudo…Guichomarus filius Alani vicecomitis…" witnessed a charter dated to 1050 relating to the abbey of Saint-Georges de Rennes[875]. No brothers named Vicomte Robert and Eudes have been identified among the Breton nobility at the time, and the suggestion is plausible. If correct, it has several implications. Firstly, the order of their names indicates that Robert was older than his brother Eudes. Secondly, this would be the only primary source which indicates that Robert bore the vicecomital title (before the death of his father). Thirdly, the dating of the charter is probably correct considering the suggested date of Eudes’s appointment as bishop.] Orderic Vitalis records that he was installed as Comte de Mortain in 1063 by his half-brother Guillaume II Duke of Normandy, after he dispossessed Guillaume Werlenc[876]. Guillaume of Jumièges records that “Willelmus cognomento Werlencus de stirpe Richardi magni comes...Moritolii” plotted rebellion against Guillaume II Duke of Normandy, as reported to the duke by “tyro de familia sua...Robertus Bigot”, and that the duke expelled him to Apulia and granted his county to “Robertum fratrem suum”[877]. Orderic Vitalis names “...Rodbertus comes Moritoliensis, Willermi ducis uterinus frater...” among the leading lords under Guillaume II Duke of Normandy[878]. King William I granted him nearly all the land of Cornwall as a reward for his participation at the battle of Hastings in 1066, but he does not seem to have been created Earl of Cornwall, continuing to be referred to as "comes Moritoniensis"[879]. "Robertus Moretonii comes frater Villelmi Anglorum regis et Normannorum principis" granted property to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire by charter dated 9 Jan 1083[880]. He joined his brother Eudes in the 1088 rebellion against King William II but was pardoned[881]. The necrology of the church of Mortain records the death "8 Dec" of "Robertus comes Moretonii fundator istius ecclesie"[882]. m firstly (before 1066) MATHILDE de Montgommery, daughter of ROGER Seigneur de Montgommery, Vicomte d'Hiémois [later Earl of Shrewsbury] & his first wife Mabel d'Alençon (-[1085], bur abbaye de Grestain). Orderic Vitalis names “Emma sanctimonialis et Almaniscarum abbatissa, Mathildis comitissa uxor...Rodberti Moritoliensium comitis, Mabilia conjux Hugonis de Novo-Castello et Sibylia uxor Rodberti filii Haimonis” as the four daughters of “Rogerius [de Monte-Gomerici]” and his first wife[883]. "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" by charter dated to [1087/91][884]. “Willielmus comes Moritonii” founded Montacute Priory, for the souls of “patris mei Roberti comitis et matris meæ Mathillidis comitissæ”, by undated charter[885]. m secondly ALMODIS, daughter of ---. "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" with the consent of "Robert his son" by charter dated to [1087/91], which specifies that "William his other son has promised to grant it if Almodis should leave no heir"[886]. Earl Robert & his first wife had [seven] children:
a) ROBERT . "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" with the consent of "Robert his son" by charter dated to [1087/91], which specifies that "William his other son has promised to grant it if Almodis should leave no heir"[887].
b) GUILLAUME de Mortain (-Bermondsey after 1140). Orderic Vitalis refers to him as nepos of Robert III Duke of Normandy[888]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Guilelmi" as son of "Robertum comitem Moretonii"[889]. Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis"[890]. "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" with the consent of "Robert his son…and William his other son" by charter dated to [1087/91][891]. He succeeded his father as Comte de Mortain, and in the latter's lands in Cornwall. He unsuccessfully claimed the earldom of Kent on the death of his uncle Eudes[892]. “Willielmus comes Moritonii” founded Montacute Priory, for the souls of “patris mei Roberti comitis et matris meæ Mathillidis comitissæ”, by undated charter[893]. "…Willelmi comitis de Moritun…" subscribed a charter dated 14 Sep 1101 under which Henry I King of England donated property to Bath St Peter[894]. Florence of Worcester records that "Willelmus comes de Moreteon" rebelled against Henry I King of England, who confiscated all his English lands in [1104][895]. Florence of Worcester also records that "comes Willelmus de Moretonio" fought with Robert Duke of Normandy against King Henry I at Tinchebrai in [1106], was captured, but later escaped and fled[896]. Orderic Vitalis records that he was imprisoned for many years and all his honours forfeited[897]. He became a Cluniac monk at Bermondsey in 1140. m ADELISA, daughter of --- (-after [1100/06]). William count of Mortain confirmed a donation to Marmoutier Saint-Martin by charter dated to [1100/06], signed by "…Guillelmi comitis Moritolii, Adilidis comitisse de M[oritolio]"[898]. [daughter . Orderic Vitalis records that King William I offered “neptem suam Rodberti...Moritolii comitis filiam” in marriage to Guillaume de Grantmesnil, who refused and left for Apulia[899]. It is probable that this daughter was the same person as one of the other daughters of Robert who are named below.]
c) DENISE de Mortain ([1065/70]-1090). Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis", specifying that one unnamed daughter (mentioned second) married "Guido de Laval"[900]. A charter dated to [1085] records that "Guy II fils de Hamon" withdrew claims against Ronceray relating to property donated by his father by charter dated to [1085] which names "Denise son épouse" and is witnessed by "Hugues, frère de Guy II"[901]. A charter dated to [1080/90] records that "Guidone de Valle" sold "boscum…Monduluet" to "domnus Rivallonus monachus" at Marmoutier, with the consent of "Hugo frater eius…et Dionisia uxor eius"[902]. "Guido de Lavalle" donated the priory of Parné to the church of Saint-Nicholas d'Angers "pro salute sua et uxoris sue Dionisie" by charter dated [1080/90][903]. A charter dated 1090 records that "Guido junior" succeeded "in paternum…honorem" on the death of "Haimonis senioris de Valle Guidonis" and that when, after some time, "supradicti domni Guidonis conjugem" died, he granted further rights to Marmoutier when she was buried "juxta patrem suum Haimonem"[904]. m [as his second wife,] GUY [II] Seigneur de Laval, son of HAMON Seigneur de Laval & his wife Hersende --- (before [1037/38]-after 1105, bur Marmoutier).
d) EMMA de Mortain (-after [1126/27]). Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis", specifying that one unnamed daughter (mentioned third) married "comes Tolosanus frater Raimundi comitis Sancti Ægidii"[905]. Her name is confirmed by the charter dated 1114 under which her daughter “Philippæ comitissæ…Emmæ filia” reached agreement with “Bernardus-Atonis filius Ermengardis”[906]. “Willelmus...dux Aquitanorum” donated “ecclesiam S. Juliani de Stapio...ecclesiam S. Mariæ de Clida” to Notre-Dame de Saintes “et abbatissæ Sibillæ amitæ meæ” by charter dated “XII Kal Sep”, signed by “eadem abbatissa Sibillla, et comitissa Tholosæ avia mea, et Agnete amita mea...Petro episcopo...”[907]. This charter does not specify the year but can be dated to [1126/27], given that Guillaume X Duke of Aquitaine (identified as the donor) succeeded his father in 1126 and that the successor of Pierre Bishop of Saintes (assuming that he can be identified as the subscriber “Petro episcopo”) is named in a document dated 1127[908]. m (before 1080) as his second wife, GUILLAUME IV Comte de Toulouse, son of PONS Comte de Toulouse & his second wife Almodis de la Marche (-killed in battle Huesca 1094).
e) [SIBYLLE (-after 1134). An undated charter records the return of property to Notre-Dame de Saintes by "Willelmus comes Pictavensis", stating that on the same day "abbatissa Florentia” accepted “Sibillam materteram comitisse...factam post abbatissam” into her monastery[909]. This charter is dated to [1100/07] in the compilation, but the document in the form in which it has survived must be a later production given the reference to the subsequent appointment of Sibylle as abbess. There appears to be no way of dating the original return of the property in question. In the charter, “comitisse” would have been Philippa de Toulouse, wife of Guillaume IX Duke of Aquitaine, and so her “matertera” would have been the sister of Emma de Mortain, wife of Guillaume IV Comte de Toulouse. Abbess of Notre-Dame de Saintes, she is named in charters dated 1122, 1130, 1131 and 1134[910]. “Willelmus...dux Aquitanorum” donated “ecclesiam S. Juliani de Stapio...ecclesiam S. Mariæ de Clida” to Notre-Dame de Saintes “et abbatissæ Sibillæ amitæ meæ” by charter dated “XII Kal Sep”, signed by “eadem abbatissa Sibillla, et comitissa Tholosæ avia mea, et Agnete amita mea, et Arembergi de Volvent monacha...Petro episcopo...”[911]. This charter does not specify the year but can be dated to [1126/27], given that Guillaume X Duke of Aquitaine (identified as the donor) succeeded his father in 1126 and that the successor of Pierre Bishop of Saintes (assuming that he can be identified as the subscriber “Petro episcopo”: it is likely that the bishop of Saintes would have been involved in transactions relating to Notre-Dame de Saintes) is named in a document dated 1127[912]. Although the term “amita” would normally indicate paternal aunt, it is assumed that in this case it was used in the broader sense of maternal great-aunt which is consistent with the relationship posited from the earlier charter dated to [1100/07] which is quoted above. If Sibylle´s family is correctly identified, she was probably younger than her supposed sister Emma as it would be normal for the daughter of a noble family to enter religion at a young age if she was destined for an ecclesiastical career.]
f) AGNES de Mortain (-[maybe after 1126/27]). Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis", specifying that one unnamed daughter (mentioned first) married "Andreas de Vitreio"[913]. A charter dated to [1110] records that "Andreas dominus Vitriaci castri et frater eius Philippus et uxor ipsius Andreæ…Agnes, cum filiis suis Roberto, Gervasio et Elia" confirmed the foundation of Sainte-Croix de Vitré[914]. [It is possible that Agnes de Mortain was “Agnete amita mea” in the following charter: “Willelmus...dux Aquitanorum” donated “ecclesiam S. Juliani de Stapio...ecclesiam S. Mariæ de Clida” to Notre-Dame de Saintes “et abbatissæ Sibillæ amitæ meæ” by charter dated “XII Kal Sep”, signed by “eadem abbatissa Sibillla, et comitissa Tholosæ avia mea, et Agnete amita mea, et Arembergi de Volvent monacha...Petro episcopo...”[915]. The charter does not specify the year but can be dated to [1126/27], given that Duke Guillaume X succeeded his father in 1126 and that the successor of Pierre Bishop of Saintes (assuming that he can be identified as the subscriber “Petro episcopo”) is named in a document dated 1127[916]. The donor in the document is identified as Guillaume X Duke of Aquitaine. As discussed in more detail above, there are good arguments for identifying “abbatissæ Sibillæ amitæ meæ” as his great-aunt, sister of his grandmother Emma de Mortain. The key to identifying the subscribers to the document appears to be the presence of the donor´s maternal grandmother who would, it seems, not normally be involved in a donation by the duke of Aquitaine unless she had some interest in the property donated. If that is correct, “Agnete amita mea” would, logically, have subscribed only if she also had an interest in the same property. The best explanation is that the three subscribers were sisters who were the only surviving representatives of the Mortain family and joint holders of an interest in the properties donated. The main difficulty with this hypothesis is that Agnes´s husband was still alive at the time: it is therefore unclear why he would not have subscribed the document in place of his wife. The churches in question have not been identified. It should be pointed out that it is not obvious how the Mortain or Montgommery families, based in Normandy, would have held interests in churches which were presumably located in the Saintonge area of the duchy of Aquitaine. Another possibility is that the subscriber of the [1126/27] charter was Agnes, [probably illegitimate] daughter of Guillaume VIII Duke of Aquitaine, who succeeded Sibylle as abbess of Notre-Dame de Saintes in [1134/37] (see the document AQUITAINE DUKES). However, in that case the potential common interest in the donated properties would not apply and it is then difficult to understand the reason for Agnes subscribing the document.] m ANDRE [I] Seigneur de Vitré, son of ROBERT [I] Seigneur de Vitré & his wife Berthe de Craon (-after 1139).
Earl Robert & his second wife had one child:
g) ROBERT de Mortain . The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified.
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