853 - Olaf, King of Sweden, led his forces across the Baltic Sea and into western Lithuania. They attacked the castle at Apuole near the town of Skuodas on the Luba River. A truce was declared after 8 days of fighting. King Olaf took home much gold, silver and amber, 30 (Kursiu) local inhabitants and destroyed the castle.
When Gudrod married, he inherited half the district of Vingulmark from his father in law, King Alfarin of Alfheim. After Alfhild died, Gudrod asked for Aasa, the daughter of Harald Redbeard, the king of Agder, who said no. Gudrod attacked, killed Harald and his son, Gyrd, took Aasa, married her and had a son, Halfdan. At a drunken brawl, Gudrod was speared by a man walking down the gang plank. It was later revealed he was Assa's page, he was put to death, but never did Aasa confess.
After Gudrod's death, his sons, Halfdan and Olaf took over, Olaf ruling the
east, while Halfdan ruled the south. Olaf died from a foot infection.
Heimskringla, Ynglinga Saga, Section 53-54
His son, Harald, had Halfdan the Black and Sigrod, and later in life he had Hakon the Good.
'Gudröd the Hunter (Old Norse: Guðröðr veiðikonung, Modern Icelandic: Guðröður veiðikonung, Norwegian: Gudrød Veidekonge) is a mythological character that was the son of Halfdan the Mild of the House of Yngling and of Liv Dagsdotter of Vestmar, according to Heimskringla.
Gudröd married Alfhild, a daughter of Alfarin the king of Alfheim (Bohuslän), which was the name of the area between Glomma and Göta älv, and inherited half the province of Vingulmark. They had the son Olaf Gudrødsson.
When Alfhild died, Gudröd sent his warriors to Agder and its king Harald to propose a marriage with his daughter Åsa. However, Harald declined so Gudröd decided to take his daughter by force.
They arrived at night time and when Harald realised that he was attacked he assembled his men and fought well, but died together with his son Gyrd. Gudröd carried away Åsa and married her. He raped her and she gave him a son named Halfdan who would be called Halfdan the Black.
In the fall when Halfdan was a year old, Gudröd was having at a feast in Stiflesund. He was very drunk and in the evening as he was walking on the gangway to leave the ship, an assassin thrust a spear through Gudröd and he was killed. Gudröd's men instantly killed the assassin who turned out to be Åsa's page-boy. Åsa admitted that the page-boy had acted on her behalf.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudr%C3%B8d_the_Hunter
Robert Guiscard was of Norman descent, the sixth son of Tancred of Hauteville and eldest by his second wife Fressenda of Normandy. Grandson of Richard I, the 3rd Duke of Burgundy.
Husband of Albereda of Buonalbergo, the daughter of Reginald I, Count of Burgundy and Adelais of Nornmandy, and granddaughter of Othon Guillaume de Bourgogne and Ermetrude de Roucy, Richard II the 4th Duke of Normandy and Judith de Bretagne. They were married about 1051 and had two children:
Emma, mother of Tancred Prince of Galilee
Prince Bohemond I of Antioch
Robert divorced Albereda about 1058 and married Sikelgaita, the daughter of Guaimar IV, Prince of Salerno. They had eight children:
* Mafalda, wife of Ramon Berenguer II, Count of Barcelona
* Roger Borsa
* Mabile, wife of William de Grantmesnil
* Gersent, wife of Hugh of Maine
* Robert Scalio
* Guy, Duke of Amalfi d 1107
* Sibylla, wife of Ebles de Ramerupt, Count of Roucy
* Olympias, betrothed to Constantine Doukas
According to legend in 1047 he left Normandy with five mounted riders and foot soldiers for Langobardia where he became the chief of a roving robber band. Anna Comnena gave a physical description of Guiscard that included a tyrannical temperament, a cunning mind, brave in action, clever in attack, most obstinate in achievement and he did not allow any obstacle to prevent his executing his desire. The tallest of his peers, ruddy complexion, flaxen hair and broad shoulders with eyes that "all but emitted sparks of fire." His cry, "Is said to have put thousands to flight." Then, "equipped by fortune, physique and character, he was naturally indomitable, and subordinate to no one in the world."
Robert would be involved in local feuding before being granted the command of the fortress at Scribula from his brother, Drogo. Robert settled at the castle at San Marco Argentano instead.
While in Calabria and still a robber baron, Robert married Albereda of Buonalbergo. Albereda's dowry consisted of two hundred knights arranged by her uncle Lord Girard of Buonalbergo, looking for Robert's support.
Robert distinguished himself at the Battle of Civitate in 1053 fighting with his brother Humphrey and his father-in-law against Pope Leo's forces who wanted Normans removed from Italy. Robert was unseated and remounted thrice, then honored for his actions by succeeding Humphrey as Count of Apulia in 1057.
Meanwhile, Pope Nicholas had strengthened law prohibiting consanguinity, which gave Robert the ability to easily repudiate Albereda about 1058. Evidently the 'divorce' was amicable. Soon after, Robert would marry Sichelgaita, the sister of a previous adversary's successor, Gisulf II of Salerno. In return for her hand in marriage, Robert agreed to destroy his brother, William's castle on Guisulf's territory.
The Papacy reversed their policy and made the Normans their allies, investing Robert as Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily.
Robert and his brother Roger captured Messina in 1061 and Palermo in 1072. A campaign in 1064 failed as his campsite became infested with tarantulas to where it had to be abandoned. During this time he became known as "Black Shirt Robert" as his elegant clothing with imported dyes ran together to make black. In 1076 he took Salerno, expelling his wife's brother, Gisulf.
His campaign against the Byzantine empire included an infamous sword fight where Robert faced his most worthy adversary and nemesis, Emperor Alexius, at the Battle of Dyrrhachium, in October of 1081. His wife, Sikelgaita fought along side him in full armour.
Robert died of a fever along with 500 of his Norman knights at Corfu on the 17th of July, 1085. He was seventy years old.
The town of Fiscardo on Kefalonia is named after him, he was succeeded by his sons Roger Borsa. Robert is credited with bringing Latin Christianity to the Byzantine territory.
Possibly a daughter of Gerbod, hereditary advocate of the abbey of Saint Bertin at St. Omer.
REF RFC. Sister of Gerbod, Earl of Chester, 1076; a Fleming.
REF YorkshireP. Daughter of William the Conqueror.
REF Baronage1. Step-Daughter of William the Conqueror.
Medievalist Kathleen Much at Stanford told Tom Camfield (camfield@olympus.net) that this connection is bogus. Her arguments came down to the comment by David C. Douglas ("William the Conqueror," 1964, p. 392) that: "The view once held that Matilda was already married when William sought her hand, and was then the mother of a daughter, Gundrada, later the wife of William of Warenne, has now been conclusively disproved by the researches of Chester Waters and Sir Charles Clay. There is no reason to suppose that Gundrada was the daughter of either William or Matilda." She led into his conclusion with preliminary explanations referenced quite thoroughly; she specializes in Normandy.
See the full examination of these claims, and the disproof, by C. T.
Clay, *Early Yorkshire Charters*, volume VIII, pp. 40-46.
Annotated Bibliography on issue of Gundreda Wife of William de Warenne I
Eur.Ing. Brian Tompsett, University of Hull. (draft in progress, Jan 1998)
This annotated bibliography documents articles on this issue, which although quite soundly documented still is cause for controversy. The modern problems stem from the fact that secondary and tertiary sources which are generally quite reputable erred in this matter. Genealogist get into a "my source is better than your source" argument.
Items Personally consulted by Paul McBride:
The Complete Peerage, vol xiip1 pp.491 note d
The Complete Peerage, vol xiip1 pp.494 note j
(cite Clay and Prentout)
Early Yorkshire Charters, C.T.Clay (1949), vol viii pp.1-26
"The Early Generations of the Family of Warenne"
Early Yorkshire Charters, C.T.Clay (1949), vol viii pp.40-46
"Gundreda wife of William de Warenne I"
[note error in Complete Peerage citation]
(The main, and significant references which quotes and summaries
Stapleston, Blaauw, Waters, Freeman, et al)
Early Yorkshire Charters, C.T.Clay (1949), vol viii pp.46-129
"Charters of King Henry I witnesses by the second earl without comital style"
"Charters of William son of King Stephen fourth earl de Warenne"
Charters of the Lords of the Honour
Charters of the Second Earl Charters of the third Earl
Charters of Reginald de Warenne as administrator and of the fourth earl
Charters of earl Hamelin and Countess Isabel
Archaeological Journal, vol. iii, pp.1-26 (1846) by Thomas Stapleton
"Observations in disproof of the pretended marriage of William de Warren,
Earl of Surrey, with a daughter begotten of Matildis, daughter of Baldwin, Comte of Flanders, by William the Conqueror, and illustrative of the origin and early history of the family in Normandy" (Cites Cotton Manuscripts, Domesday et al, concluding that Gundreda was not Williams daughter)
Archaeologia, vol xxxii p.108-125 (1847) by W.H. Blaauw, "Remarks on Matilda, Queen of William the Conqueror, and her Daughter Gundrada" (disputes Stapleton and says Gundreda was the proper daughter of the Conqueror)
Archaeological Journal, vol. xli, pp.300-312 (1884) by Edmond Chester Waters "Gundrada de Warrenne" (cites Stapleton and Blaauw, re-analyses and sides with Stapelton)
English Historical Review, vol III, pp.680-701, (1889) by Edward A Freeman, "The parentage of Gundrada, Wife of William of Warren" (He renounces his former view and comes to the final position cited by Clay that Gundreda was neither the daughter of the Conqueror or his wife)
Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol xxxi, pp.97-113, (1934) by L C Loyd, "The Origins of the Family of Warenne" (base article for the Complete Peerage entries)
"The Royal Families of England Scotland and Wales - With pedigrees of Royal descents in illustration." by Sir Bernard Burke, Harrison, 1876. (incorrectly shows Gundreda as the conquerors daughter)
Other miscellaneous reference not yet consulted:
"Gundrada de Warrenne" by Robert Chester Waters, 1886, 2nd ed, (LDS FHC film)
paper by Lower, 19th Nov 1845 to British Archaeological Association Dugdale's Baronage vol.i, p.73
Dictionary of National Biography (1890 edition)
The Complete Peerage, vol vii, pp.324-5 (1890 edition)
Europaisch Stammtafen by Isenburg/Loringhoven, Vol ii, p 59. (incorectly shows Gundred as the Conquerors daughter)
Erich Brandenburg, Die Nachkommen Karls des Grossen Originally published in 1935, republished in 1995 with corrections and additions, p.40 (incorrectly shows Gundreda as the Conquerors daughter) whilst on p.135 contradicts it.
The Complete Peerage, vol iii,p.164. Turton incorrectly shows her as the conquerors daughter.
Europaisch Stammtafen by Schwennicke Band III telband IV page 699 correctly cites Clay. Weis
"William the Conqueror" by David C. Douglas (UCalif. Press, 1964) p. 76,p.267, and Appendix C.
"Gundrada de Warenne" by E.C. Waters (Exeter, 1884)
"The WARREN family" author and date unknown. Cited by Judy Lutz and quotes Sir George Duckett, Bart"
"Genealogy of Warren. The work of Dr John Collins Warren" by J.D.Stickney (Boston, 1851) (incorrectly links Gundreda and the conqueror)
Usenet News Messages in the Archives (via Dejanews): "Re: Orgins of Warenne Family" by "Todd A. Farmerie"
1996/10/09 (Todd confirms Gundreda is not the daughter of the Conquerer without quoting sources)
"Re: Gunreda WARENNE d/o the Conqueror?" by Al Magary 1996/04/10 (Al confirms Gundreda is not the daughter of the Conquerer quoting Douglas and Clay)
"Re: Gunreda WARENNE d/o the Conqueror?" by "matthias e. storme" 1996/04/11 (Mattias corrects Al)
"Gundreda daughter of the Conqueror??" by Judy Lutz 1996/04/10 (Judy quotes an uncited book which claims Gundreda was the Conqueror's daughter)
"Re: William the Conqueror" by wrei@127.0.0.1 (William Addams Reitwiesner) 1997/04/08 (William confirms Gundreda is not the Conquerors daughter and cites Clay and The Complete Peerage.)
"Re: GUNNORA/ William de Warren,etc." by camfield@olympus.net (Tom Camfield) 1996/11/25 (Tom confirms Gundreda is not the Conquerors daughter without citation)
"Re: GUNNORA/ William de Warren,etc." by "Todd A. Farmerie" 1996/11/22 (Todd confirms Gundreda is not the Conquerors daughter without citation, answering query by Robert Jackson which cites Stickney.)
"Re: Orgins of Warenne Family" by William Addams Reitwiesner 1996/10/06 (William confirms Gundreda is not the Conquerors daughter and cites Clay)
"Re: William the Conqueror" by Ed Mann 1997/04/08 (Ed confirms Gundreda is not the Conquerors daughter and cites Weis)
"Re: William the Conqueror" by kathleen@casbs.Stanford.EDU (Kathleen Much) 1997/04/08 (Kathleen confirms Gundreda is not the Conquerors daughter and cites Douglas)
"GUNNORA/ William de Warren,etc." by "Robert M. Jackson, Jr." 1996/11/21 (Robert cites Stickney as a source for Gundreda being the Conquerors daughter)
Murdered by Arnulf I Count of Flanders
Little is known about his early years. He was born overseas in one of the many Viking territories before his father Rollo settled in northern France. William's mother was named Poppa; all that is known of her is that she was a Christian, and the daughter of a Count Berengar. According to the Planctus, he was baptized a Christian. William succeeded Rollo sometime around 928. It appears that he faced a rebellion early in his reign, from Normans who felt he had become too Frankified. The following years are obscure. In 939 William became involved in a war with Arnulf I of Flanders, which soon became intertwined with the other conflicts of the reign of Louis IV of France. He was killed by followers of Arnulf while at a meeting to settle their conflict. His son Richard I of Normandy succeeded him.
Ruled circa 825-844
Frych (?) = "Sea Ruler"
His reign marked the end of turmoil and the start of a new dynasty.
Married Nest, daughter of Cadell ap Brochfael of Powys, uniting two great
northern Wales families, presenting powerful front against Saxons to the
east.
Seas surrounding the countries were patrolled by Viking ships
During his reign "History of Britons" was completed by Nennius, a cleric
and scholar of Gwynedd. Merfyn promoted it, yet it does not contain his name
or reign.
His son, Rhodri Mawr, would become King of North Wales.
52 ED17
Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad (died 844) was a King of Gwynedd.
Merfyn Frych (=Merfyn the Freckled) seized control of Gwynedd in 825 on the death of Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog, though he may have held power in Anglesey since 818. Merfyn was not a member of the traditional dynasty of Gwynedd, the direct male line of Maelgwn Gwynedd, and his succession marked the start of a new dynasty. His claim was apparently based on the fact that his mother, Esyllt, was the daughter of Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri and the niece of Hywel ap Rhodri. According to bardic tradition, Merfyn came "from the land of Manaw", but it is uncertain whether this refers to the Isle of Man ("Ynys Manaw" in Welsh) or to Manaw Gododdin, the area around the Firth of Forth. It would seem likely that it was the latter on account of the probability he would be a blood relative of Cunedda, the founder of the Gwynedd dynasty, who was a prince of Manaw Gododdin. On the other hand there is an inscription "Crux Guriat" on a cross in the Isle of Man. This cross has been dated to the eighth or ninth century and might possibly refer to Merfyn's father.
Merfyn allied himself to the royal house of Powys by marrying Nest, daughter of Cadell ap Brochwel and sister of Cyngen king of Powys. He had a reputation as a patron of scholars, for example the Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius is thought to have been written in Gwynedd during his reign, possibly instigated by Merfyn himself. A manuscript found at Bamberg gives a further insight into Merfyn's scholarly interests. Irish visitors to his court were given a cryptogram which could only be solved by transposing the letters from Latin into Greek.
Despite Danish raids, Merfyn was able to maintain his position and on his death in 844 to hand the kingdom over intact to his son Rhodri the Great. He is said to have died in battle, but the circumstances are not recorded. His descendants came to rule not only Gwynedd but also Powys and Deheubarth and played a major role in Welsh politics until the end of Welsh independence in 1283. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merfyn_Frych_ap_Gwriad
818. Merfyn Frych, king of Man, who was a descendant of the princes of Powys, and married to Esylt, daughter of Cynan, succeeded to the sovereignty of North Wales. Soon after his accession, Egbert, king of the West Saxons, penetrated into Wales as far as Snowdon, or Eryry*, seised on the lordship of Rhyfoniog, in Denbighshire, proceeded to JVJona; and after a decisive victory over the Welsh, at Llanvaes, near Beaumaris, took possession of Mona, and gave it the name of Anglesey. These conquests were soon after followed by successive inroads made into Powys and West Wales, by Kenulph, king of Mercia. History of Wales, John Jones 1824.
East Anglia, Ralph, Earl of - Also called Ralph Waher and Ralph de Guarder. Born in England, son of Ralph the Staller, Earl of Hereford, and Agatha. First Earl of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge. Responsible for beginning work on Norwich castle, which involved destroying many houses and 2 churches. Rebelled with Earl Roger of Breteuil and Hereford 1075 over the king's refusal to sanction his marriage to Roger's sister; subsequently his title and land were taken from him and the castle was taken over by the Crown. Domesday records his lost land as 'forfeited'. Ralph took refuge in Brittany with his wife, Emma, daughter of Earl William FitzOsbern; had three children, Amicia de Waher, Ralph de Gael de Montford and William de Breteuil. Died with his wife while travelling on the first Crusade.
In 1075 the king's refusal to sanction his marriage with the sister of Roger, Earl of Hereford, caused the two earls to revolt. They were easily defeated, though Ralph sent to Denmark for ships and went there himself to fetch them. Ralph forfeited his English lands, and took refuge in Brittany on his wife's estate. In 1076, having plotted against Duke Hoel of Brittany, he was besieged at Dol, and the Conqueror came to Hoel's aid; but Ralph finally made his peace. Both he and his wife took part in the first crusade (1099), and died on the road to Palestine.
~~~~~~Ralph de Guader, Earl of Norfolk Seigneur de Gael et Montfort (c.1042-c.1096), Earl of Norfolk and Suffolk, Lord of Gael.He was probably born before 1040, as not later than 1060 he attested, in company with other Bretons, a notification at Angers as Ralph son of Ralph the Englishman, most probably in 1042 in Hereford. He inherited the great Breton barony of Gael, which comprised more than forty parishes. In England, whether by inheritance or by grant from the Crown, he held large estates in Norfolk, as well as property in Suffolk, Essex, Hertford, and possibly other counties. In some of these estates he certainly succeeded his father, but it is doubtful whether he obtained the Earldom immediately on his father’s death. Ralph built a church in Norwich, in the new town, and give it to his chaplains; but there is not record of religious benefactions by him in Brittany. He married, before 1080, Emma, daughter of William Fitzosbern, 1st Earl of Hereford and Adelissa de Tosny
In 1075 the king's refusal to sanction this marriage caused a revolt in his absence by Ralph, his new brother-in-law Roger de Breteuil, 2nd Earl of Hereford and Waltheof, 1st Earl of Northumberland. The revolt was plagued by disaster. Waltheof lost heart and confessed the conspiracy to Lanfranc, who urged Earl Roger to return to his allegiance, and finally excommunicated him and his adherents - Waltheof was later executed by William. Ralph encountered a much superior force under the warrior bishops Odo of Bayeux and Geoffrey de Montbray (the latter ordered that all rebels should have their right foot cut off!) near Cambridge and retreated hurriedly to Norwich, hotly pursued by the royal army. Leaving his wife to defend Norwich Castle, he sailed for Denmark in search of help, and eventually returned to England with a fleet of 200 ships under Cnut and Hakon, which failed to do anything effective.
Meanwhile the Countess held out in Norwich until she obtained terms for herself and her followers, who were deprived of their lands, but were allowed forty days to leave the realm. Thereupon the Countess retired to her estate in Brittany, where she was rejoined by her husband. Ralph was deprived of all his lands and of his Earldom.
For the rest of his life he remained a great baron of Brittany, with no interests in England. In 1076, having plotted against Duke Hoel of Brittany, he was besieged at Dol, and the Conqueror came to Hoel's aid; but Ralph finally made his peace.
In 1089 he attested the judgment in a dispute between the monks of Redon, Ille-et-Vilaine and the chaplains of the Duke of Brittany. He also attested a charter of Alan IV, Duke of Brittany, in favour of St.Georges at Rennes (1084-1096). The Conqueror being dead, Ralph appears in Normandy c.1093 as a witness in the record of a suit between the abbots of Lonlay and St.Florent. There is, however, no record of religious benefactions by him in Brittany.
In 1096, accompanied by his wife and under Robert Curthose, he went on Crusade. He was one of the Breton leaders who took part in the siege of Nicaea, after which he joined Bohemund I of Antioch’s division of the army. Both Ralph and his wife Emma died on the road to Palestine in the course of the Crusade.
In 1065 he was with Conan II, Duke of Brittany when he besieged Thiwallon, Lord of Dol, in the castle of Combour.
In 1066 he fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings.
In February or March 1068 he was present at William the Conqueror’s court with his father.
In 1069 he routed a force of Norsemen which had invaded Norfolk and occupied Norwich. It may been in recognition of this exploit (or of services rendered at Hastings) that the Conqueror created him Earl of Norfolk and Suffolk, or the East Angles, the Earldom being also styled, from its capital, of Norwich.
It is presumably this Ralph who, on 13 April 1069 was with the King at Winchester and witnessed, as Earl Ralph, a diploma in favour of St.Denis of Paris and in the same year witnessed, as Earl Ralph, a grant in favour of the Bishop of Essex.
1074- It is possible that Ralph defended Dol when the Conqueror besieged it unsuccessfully in 1074.
Tancred of Hauteville was an eleventh-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants. He was a minor noble near Coutances in the Cotentin, but it is not even certain which of the three villages called Hauteville he held, though Hauteville-la-Guichard is most often cited. Various legends later arose about him which have no supporting contemporary evidence.
He had 12 sons by his two wives, and several daughters, almost all of whom left Normandy for southern Italy and acquired some prominence there. By his first wife Muriel he had five sons
According to the Italian chronicler of the Norman feats in the south, Amatus of Montecassino, Tancred was a morally upright man who would not carry on a sinful relationship and so remarried, being unable also to live out his life in perfect celibacy. By his second wife Fressenda (or Fredesenda) he had seven sons and at least one daughter
Gerd, Gärd, Gerdhr, Gerda or Gerdur (Old Norse Gerðr) is a Jotun-giantess in Norse Mythology most well known as the wife of the Norse god Freyr. She is the most beautiful of all creatures and may have been a personification of soil fertility and sex. Her brilliant, naked arms illuminated air and sea.
Gerd is daughter of Gymir and Aurboda. She also has a brother named Beli who is leader of the Barking Giants. Gerd is included among the Ásynjur in Snorri Sturluson's Edda. According to the Ynglinga saga she was the mother of Freyr's son Fjölnir who succeeded Freyr as ruler of Sweden.
In the Skáldskaparmál Gerd is named along with Jörd, Rind, and Gunnlöd as rivals of Odin's wife Frigg, these other three being among those whom Snorri Sturluson elsewhere relates that Odin had bedded. Gerd in this list is probably an error for Gríd who is otherwise conspicuously absent.
Her name is probably from gerða 'to fence in' related to garðr 'enclosed space' cognate with the English word yard and (through Danish) of the English word garth.
The account of her wooing is given in the poem Skírnismál. She never wanted to marry Freyr, refused his proposals (delivered through Skirnir, his messenger) even after bringing her eleven golden apples and Draupnir. Skirnir finally threatened to use Freyr's sword to cover the earth in ice and she agreed to marry Freyr.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ger%C3%B0r
Ægir is a giant and a king of the sea in Norse mythology. He seems to be a personification of the power of the ocean. He was also known for hosting elaborate parties for the gods. In Snorri Sturluson's Skáldskaparmál, Ægir is identified with Gymir and Hlér who lived on the isle of Hlésey. The prose header of Lokasenna states that his hall is a place of sanctuary lit with bright gold and where the beer pours itself.
Gymir, it may be noticed, is also the name of the giant father of the beautiful maiden Gerd (the wife of Freyr) as well as the husband of Aurboda.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegir