The information about people on this part of William the Conqueror's family tree is often scarce and can vary in different sources. This makes researching this part of the family story a challenge. However, the information in this blog post can be viewed as a starting point.
Robert I Duke of Normandy and Herleva of Falaise
The parents of William the Conqueror were Robert I Duke of Normandy (1000 to 1035) and Herleva of Falaise (c1020-c1050).
William's mother, Herleva, the daughter of a tanner from Falaise in Normandy, was born in 1010. When she was seventeen Herleva became the mistress of Robert Duke of Normandy and in 1028, Herleva and Robert had a son who eventually became known as William Duke of Normandy. Instead of marrying Herleva, Robert persuaded her to marry his friend, Herluin of Conteville. Herleva and Herluin had three children. When Robert Duke of Normandy died in 1035 William inherited his father's title as he was Robert's only living son.
Richard II Duke of Normandy and Judith of Brittany
In 1000-1001, Richard defeated the English king, Aethelred the Unready on the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy at Val-de-Saire. He then arranged for his sister, Emma of Normandy, to marry Aethelred to make peace.This resulted in one of the pathways for William the Conqueror to claim the English throne. When Emma later married Canute Richard was forced to recognize Emma's new husband as King of England. Richard later hired Viking mercenaries for his campaigns. He died in 1026.
Judith of Brittany, born in 982, was the daughter of Conan I of Brittany and Ermengarde-Gerberga of Anjou. They had six children - three sons including Robert II Duke of Normandy and three daughters including Eleanor of Normandy (c1012-c1071) who married Count Baldwin IV of Flanders (980-1035). Count Baldwin and his first wife, Ogivia Luxemboug (955-1029) were grandparents of Matilda of Flanders, the wife of William the Conqueror. Judith of Brittany died 28 June 1017.
Ermengarde of Anjou and Conan I Count of Rennes
Ermengarde was born on 11 November 958. Her parents were Geoffrey I Count of Anjou and Adele de Meaux (de Vermandois). Ermengarde died on 27 June 1022. In 973 she married Conan I Count of Rennes in a marriage arranged to form a political alliance between Anjou and Brittany. However her husband, father and brother, Fulk, did not get on and in the Battle of Conquereuil in 992 Conan was killed by Fulk. He was buried at Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, Normandy.
When Conan died Ermengarde became Regent of Brittany from 992-994 as her son, Geoffrey, was only twelve when her husband was killed. Ermengarde died 27 June 1022.
Adele of Troyes & Geoffrey I Count of Anjou
Adele was born around 950 and died after 980. She was the daughter of Robert of Vermandois, Count of Meaux and Troyes, and Adelaide of Burgundy. Adele had many names including Adela of Vermandois, Countess of Chalon and later Countess of Anjou. Adele married Geoffrey I Count of Anjou and they had three children including Ermengarde of Anjou. Adela possibly died in 982. She was buried at St Aubin Abbey, Angers.
Robert Count of Meaux & Troyes & Adelaide of Burgundy
Herbert II Count of of Vermandois & Adela Capet
Herbert II was possibly born in 884 in Vermandois, Normandy, France (though other dates have also been given) and died on February 23, 943 in Aisne, France. He was the Count of Vermandois as well as Count of Troyes, and was the son of Herbert I of Vermandois and Countess Bertha de Morvois who was born around 855 in Bohain, Aisne, Picardie, France and probably died in 915.
Herbert II inherited his father's lands and in 907 added to it the Saint de Soissons abbey. His marriage with Adela of France (891–942) brought him the County of Meaux. In 918, he became the Count of Mézerais and of the Véxin. Herbert II with his cousin Bernard, Count of Beauvais and Senlis created a power base in the west of France, to the north and east of Paris to the extent that in 923, he imprisoned King Charles III of France in Chateau-Thierry, then in Péronne.
Herbert II was involved in many battles, some successful and some not so successful in the early 930s. He eventually regained most of the land he had lost. In some battles he fought with William Longsword C893-c942 (a Norman leader who was the great great grandfather of William the Conqueror).
Herbert II had married Adele de France before 21 May 907. Adele was the daughter of King Robert I of France. They had one daughter and four sons including Robert, Count of Meauxa and Troyes.
When Herbert II died, his body was buried at the Basilique of Saint Quentin.
Herbert I of Vermandois and Lietgardis
Herbert probably married Lietgardis (Liutgard or Liutgarde) in 878. Lietgardis was possibly born in 862 and died in 923). They had four children including Herbert II of Vermandois and Béatrice de Vermandois, who married King Robert I of France.
Herbert I died in 907 after involvement in a conflict with Count Baldwin II of Flanders. He was possibly buried at the Abbey of Saint-Quentin or its vicinity though no burial record has been discovered.
Pepin of Vermandois
Pepin Count of Vermandois was the son of Bernard of Italy (797-818) and Cunigunda of Laon. Pepin was probably born in 817 and was Bernard and Cunigunda's only child. Pepin supported his uncle, King Lothair, after the death of Emperor Louis the Pious, despite having sworn allegiance to Charles the Bald.
Pepin and his wife (name unknown) possibly had five children including Herbert I of Vermandois. Pepin of Vermandois is thought to have lived until about 850.
