Gilbert was the son of
Richard the Fearless. As a young man he inherited Brionne and became
one of the most powerful landowners in Normandy.
In about 1026, Herleva
of Falaise, the
sixteen year old daughter of a tanner from Falaise in Normandy, gave
birth to a son called Richard. Gilbert was the father of the child.
As Herleva was not married to Gilbert, the boy became known as Richard
Fitz Gilbert.
The term 'Fitz' was used to show that Richard was the illegitimate
son of Gilbert.
When Robert,
Duke of Normandy died in 1035 William
the Conqueror inherited his father's
title. Several leading Normans, including Gilbert
of Brionne, Osbern the Seneschal and
Alan of Brittany, became William's guardians.
A
number of Norman barons would not accept
an illegitimate son as their leader and in 1040 an attempt was made
to kill William. The plot failed but they did manage to kill Gilbert
of Brionne. It is believed his killer was Ralph
of Wacy.
The
Normans: Classroom Activities
Available
from Amazon Books (order below)
