DUKE the Magnificent Robert

Notes:

Duke Robert's child William was borne to him by Herleva, unmarried daughter of a wealthy citizen of Falaise, France. However, later she was given in marriage to a French noble.

Robert had no other sons and later persuaded the Norman barons to recognize William as his legitimate heir.

Notes from "The Lives of the Kings & Queens of England" edited by Antonia Fraser, pub. 1998 University of California Press, p.20.

DUKE — of FALAISE Herleva. [Group Sheet]

1. William of NORMANDY was born 1024, Falaise, France; died 1087, Convent of St. Gervais, Rouen, France; was buried , St. Stephen's, Caen, Normandy, France.

Notes:

From Wikipedia: He was known as "Richard the Good."

"Richard attempted to improve relations with England through his sister Emma of Normandy's marriage to King Ethelred. This marriage was significant in that it later gave his grandson, William the Conqueror, the basis of his claim to the throne of England. The improved relations proved to be beneficial to Ethelred when in 1013 Sweyn Forkbeard invaded England. Emma with her two sons Edward and Alfred fled to Normandy followed shortly thereafter by her husband king Ethelred. Soon after the death of Ethelred, Cnut, King of England, forced Emma to marry him while Richard was forced to recognize the new regime as his sister was again Queen. Richard had contacts with Scandinavian Vikings throughout his reign. He employed Viking mercenaries and concluded a treaty with Sweyn Forkbeard who was en route to England."

Richard married Judith of BRITTANY Abt 1000. Judith (daughter of Conan I of BRITTANY and Ermengarde-Gerberga of ANJOU) was born 982; died 1017; was buried , Abbey Notre Dame, Bernay, France. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Also known as Judith de Conan.

Notes:

He was known as "Richard the Fearless."

From Wikipedia: "Richard either introduced feudalism into Normandy or he greatly expanded it. By the end of his reign, most important Norman landholders held their lands in feudal tenure.:

Richard — Gunnor UNKNOWN. Gunnor was born Between 936 and 950; died 5 Jan 1030/31. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Read about Gunnor or "Gunnora" at Wikipedia -- very interesting!

Conan — Ermengarde-Gerberga of ANJOU. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

He was known as "William Longsword" and "Count of Rouen." He reigned 925-942.

From Wikipedia: "Longsword had no children with his wife Luitgarde. He fathered his son, Richard the Fearless, with Sprota, who was a Breton captive and his concubine. Richard, then aged 10, succeeded him as Duke of Normandy in December 942."

William married Sprota UNKNOWN 935. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From Wikipedia: "Sprota was the name of a Breton captive who William I, Duke of Normandy took as a wife in the Viking fashion (more danico) and by her had a son, Richard I, Duke of Normandy. After the death of her husband William, she became the wife of Esperleng and mother of Rodulf of Ivry."

"The phrase more danico is a Medieval Latin legal expression which may be translated as 'in the Danish manner' or 'by Norse customary law.' It designates a type of traditional marriage practiced in northern Europe during the Middle Ages."

"By tradition and customary law, the children of such a relationship were in no way considered of lesser rank or disadvantaged with respect to inheritance. Many sons more danico went on to become dukes or kings by succession or conquest."

Read more about Sprota at Wikipedia.