Adela, Countess of Blois

Adela of Normandy

Adèle d'Angleterre ou de Normandie ou de Blois (v. 1067[1],[2] – 8 mars 1137[2]), princesse anglaise, fut régente de la principauté de Blois-Chartres, et mère du roi Étienne d'Angleterre.

Note: death dates suggested as 1136, 1137 and 1138; always March 8. Birth year suggested as 1062 or 1067.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad%C3%A8le_de_Blois

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad%C3%A9la%C3%AFde_de_Normandie_(fille_de_Guillaume_le_Conqu%C3%A9rant)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adela_of_Normandy

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England "and also Adela Alice Princess of England" (c. 1062 or 1067 – 8 March 1137?) was, by marriage, Countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. She was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla. Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.
1.Guillaume (William)(d. 1150), Count of Chartres married Agnes of Sulli (d. aft 1104) and had issue.
2.Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne
3.Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.
4.Stephen of Blois {King of England}.
5.Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Both drowned on 25 November 1120.
6.Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset.
7.Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.
8.Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue
9.Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry(Divorced 1115)
10.Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne
11.Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

Adela was regent for her husband during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098), and when he returned in disgrace it was at least in part at her urging that he returned to the east to fulfil his vow of seeing Jerusalem.[citation needed] She was again regent in 1101, continuing after her husband's death on this second crusading expedition in 1102, for their children were still minors. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates in his absences and after his death.

She employed tutors to educate her elder sons, and had her youngest son Henry pledged to the Church at Cluny. Adela quarrelled with her eldest son Guillaume, "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate", and had his younger brother Theobald replace him as heir. Her son Stephen left Blois in 1111 to join his uncle's court in England.

Adela retired to Marcigny in 1120, secure in the status of her children. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. She lived long enough to see her son Stephen seize the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishophric of Winchester, but died soon after on 8 March 1135 in Marsilly, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, France.

References

   * Kimberly LoPrete, "The Anglo-Norman Card of Adela of Blois", Albion 22 (1990)

* Kimberly LoPrete, "Adela of Blois and Ivo of Chartres: Piety, Politics, and the Peace in the Diocese of Chartres", Anglo-Norman Studies 19
* Parsons, John Carmi. Medieval Mothering (New Middle Ages), 1996

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Adelaide of Normandy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adelaide of Normandy (c. 1026 in Calvados, France[citation needed] - c. 1090) was the sister or half-sister of William the Conqueror.

She was the daughter of Robert the Magnificent, Duke of Normandy. Her mother was probably William the Conqueror's mother Herleva, although this is not certain. [1]

Adelaide married three times; first Enguerrand II of Ponthieu (died 1053) by whom she had issue; second Lambert II, Count of Lens (died 1054); and third Odo II of Champagne son of the Count of Troyes. By Lambert she had a daughter, Judith of Lens, who married Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria (executed 1076). Their daughter, Maud, 2nd Countess of Huntingdon, took for her second husband King David I of Scotland.

She gained the title of Princess when William the Conqueror became King of England[verification needed]

See also

   * Chevalliers of Aspall Hall.

References

  1. ^ David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (1964), p. 380-381

[edit] External links

   * Adelaide's three marriages as shown on a genealogical website

* Adelaide's second husband and her daughter Judith of Lens Judith was mother of Maud, Countess of Huntingdon, wife secondly of David I, king of the Scots.
* Descendants of Adelaide by her third husband

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Adela de Normandie was born circa 1062 at Normandy, France.1 She was the daughter of William I 'the Conqueror', King of England and Matilda de Flandre.2 She married Stephen II Henry, Comte de Blois, son of Thibaud III, Comte de Blois and Gersende de Maine, in 1080 at Breteuil, France, in a, and again in 1081 at the Chartres Cathedral marriage.3 She died on 8 March 1137 at Marcigny-sur-Loire, France.4 She was buried at Abbey of the Holy Trinity, Caen, Normandy, France.1 She was buried at Cluniac Priory, Marcigny-sur-Loire, France.

    Adela de Normandie was a nun circa 1122 at Cluniac Priory, Marcigny-sur-Loire, France.1 She has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography.5

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Medilands http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20Kings%201066-1603.htm#Ad...

ADELAIDE [Adelisa] de Normandie ([1055]-7 Dec, 1066 or after). Orderic Vitalis records the betrothal of Adelaide and Harold Godwinson, listing her after Agatha and before Constance in his description of the careers of the daughters of King William[42]. The sources are contradictory concerning the name of the daughter betrothed to Harold Godwinson, as well as the timing of her death. The only near certainty is that it would presumably have been the oldest available daughter who was betrothed to Harold. Matthew of Paris does not name her but lists her fourth among the daughters of King William, while distinguishing her from the fifth daughter betrothed to "Aldefonso Galiciæ regi"[43]. Guillaume de Jumièges records that Duke Guillaume betrothed his daughter Adelise to Harold, in a later passage (in which he does not repeat her name) stating that she was the third daughter and that she died a virgin although she was of an age to marry[44]. Chibnall specifies[45] that this reference is contained in the interpolations written by Orderic Vitalis, the latter chronicler therefore contradicting his statement in his own work that Agatha was the name of the daughter who was betrothed to King Harold. Orderic Vitalis says that Adelaide "a most fair maiden vowed herself to God when she reached marriageable age and made a pious end under the protection of Roger of Beaumont"[46]. The daughter betrothed to Harold was alive in early 1066, according to Eadmer of Canterbury[47] who says that Duke Guillaume requested King Harold, soon after his accession, to keep his promise to marry his daughter. This is contradicted by William of Malmesbury[48], who says that her death before that of Edward "the Confessor" was taken by King Harold II as marking absolution from his oath to Duke Guillaume. She died as a nun at Préaux[49]. A manuscript of la Trinité de Caen names "Mathildem Anglorum reginam, nostri cœnobii fondatricem, Adilidem, Mathildem, Constantiam, filias eius" heading the list of the names of nuns at the abbey[50], which, if the order of names is significant, indicates that Adelaide was older than her two named sisters. The necrology of Chartres cathedral records the death "VII Id Dec" of "Adeliza filia regis Anglorum", stating that her father made a donation for her soul[51]. The necrology of Saint-Nicaise de Meulan records the death of "Adelina filia regis Anglorum", undated but listed among deaths at the end of the calendar year[52]. Betrothed ([1064/65]%29 to HAROLD Godwinson Earl of Wessex, son of GODWIN Earl of Wessex & his wife Gytha of Denmark ([1022/25]-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066, bur [Waltham Abbey]), who succeeded in 1066 as HAROLD II King of England.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. 1 (1885) Adela

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adela_of_Normandy

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adela_of_Normandy

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Adela of Normandy (C. Blois)

Born: ABT 1067, Normandy, France

Died: 8 Mar 1137, Marcigny-sur-Loire,France

Buried: Abbey of Holy Trinity, Caen, Normandy

Notes: became a Nun at Cluniac Priory in widowhood. Her husband was Count of Meaux; Count of Blois; Champaigne; Chartres and Tourain, a crusader under Godfrey de Bouillon, who fell, gallantly fighting against the Infidels at Rames. (Battle of Ascalon actually).

Father: WILLIAM I "the Conqueror" of Normandy (King of England)

Mother: Matilda of Flanders

Married: Stephen II Henry of Blois (3º Count of Blois) (b. 1045 - d. 19 May 1102) (son of Theobald II, Count of Blois, and Garsende Von Maine) ABT 1081, Chartres Cathedral, France

Children:

1. Humbert of Blois (Count of Virtus)

2. William de Champagne (Count of Chartes)

3. Theobald III of Blois (4º Count of Blois) (b. ABT 1088 - d. 1152)

4. STEPHEN I of Blois (King of England)

5. Henry of Blois (Bishop of Winchester)

6. Matilda of Blois

7. Odo of Blois

8. Lithiuse (Adele) of Blois

9. Phillip of Blois (Bishop of Châlon) (d. 1100)

10. Agnes of Blois

11. Eleanor of Blois

12. Alice of Blois

13. Emma of Blois

• *******************************************************

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England and also Adela, Princess of The English (c. 1062 or 1067 – 8 March 1137?) was, by marriage, Countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Contents [hide]

1 Family

2 Marriage

3 Issue

4 Regent

5 In fiction

6 References

7 External links

[edit] Family

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. Adela was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.

[edit] Marriage

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla. Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

[edit] Issue

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

1.William, Count of Sully married Agnes of Sully (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

2.Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne

3.Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.

4.Stephen of Blois {King of England}.

5.Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Both drowned on 25 November 1120.

6.Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset.

7.Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.

8.Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue

9.Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry(Divorced 1115)

10.Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

11.Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

[edit] Regent

Adela was regent for her husband during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098), and when he returned in disgrace it was at least in part at her urging that he returned to the east to fulfil his vow of seeing Jerusalem.[citation needed] She was again regent in 1101, continuing after her husband's death on this second crusading expedition in 1102, for their children were still minors. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates in his absences and after his death.

She employed tutors to educate her elder sons, and had her youngest son Henry pledged to the Church at Cluny. Adela quarrelled with her eldest son Guillaume, "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate", and had his younger brother Theobald replace him as heir. Her son Stephen left Blois in 1111 to join his uncle's court in England.

Adela retired to Marcigny in 1120, secure in the status of her children. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. She lived long enough to see her son Stephen seize the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishophric of Winchester, but died soon after on 8 March 1135 in Marsilly, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, France.

[edit] In fiction

Adela was portrayed by Nike Arrighi in the two-part BBC TV play Conquest (1966), about her father's conquest of England, part of the series Theatre 625.

[edit] References

LoPrete,Kimberly. "The Anglo-Norman Card of Adela of Blois", Albion 22 (1990)

LoPrete, Kimberly. "Adela of Blois and Ivo of Chartres: Piety, Politics, and the Peace in the Diocese of Chartres", Anglo-Norman Studies 19

Parsons, John Carmi. Medieval Mothering (New Middle Ages), 1996

LoPrete, Kimberly. Adela of Blois: Countess and Lord, C.1067-1137, Dublin: Four Courts (2007)

[edit] External links

RoyaList Online interactive family tree (en)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adela_of_Normandy"

Categories: 1060s births | 1130s deaths | Anglo-Normans | English and British princesses | Female regents | Normans | Women of medieval France

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adela_of_Normandy

Adela of Normandy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

For other uses, see Adela (disambiguation).

   also Adelaide of Normandy sister of William I of England.

Adela of Normandy

Countess of Blois

Tenure 1089 – 19 May 1102

Spouse Stephen II, Count of Blois

Issue

William, Count of Chartres

Theobald II, (Thibaud IV) Count of Champagne

Stephen of Blois, King of the English

Lucia-Mahaut d'Avranches, Countess of Chester

Agnes of Blois

Eléonore, Countess of Vermandois

Alice, Countess of Joigni

Lithuise of Brai, Viscountess of Troyes

Philip, Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

Henry of Blois, Abbot of Glastonbury, Bishop of Winchester

House Norman dynasty

Father William I the Conqueror

Mother Matilda of Flanders

Born c. 1067

Normandy, France

Died 8 March 1137 (aged c. 70)

Marcigny-sur-Loire, France

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England and also Adela, Princess of The English (c. 1062 or 1067 – 8 March 1137?) was, by marriage, Countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Contents

[show]

   * 1 Family

* 2 Marriage
* 3 Issue
* 4 Regent
* 5 In fiction
* 6 References
* 7 External links
[edit] Family

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. Adela was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.

[edit] Marriage

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which he inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill-advised charge at the Battle of Ramla. Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

[edit] Issue

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

  1. William, Count of Sully married Agnes of Sully (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

2. Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne
3. Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.
4. Stephen of Blois {King of England}.
5. Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Both drowned on 25 November 1120.
6. Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset.
7. Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.
8. Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue
9. Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry(Divorced 1115)
10. Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne
11. Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.
[edit] Regent

Adela filled in as regent for her husband's duties during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098). He returned to Blois and ruled his vast holdings until he was asked to fulfill an earlier pledge to defend Jerusalem. He was killed in an ill-advised battle charge at Ramalah in 1101 during this second expedition. Adela again acted as regent after her husband's death. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates and her own. Her combined estates 1102-1110 nearly exceeded the wealth of the King of France at that time.

Adela, a devout Benedictine sympathizer, employed several high-ranking tutors to educate her children including troubadour poets, as well as Peter Abelard and Peter of Morlait. Her youngest son, Henry, was conceived during the single year Stephan was in France between crusading duties. At two years of age Henry was pledged to the Church at Cluny, Chreit sur Loire as an Oblate child. Henry turned out to be a great genius, who went on to be appointed Abbot of Glastonbury and Bishop of Winchester which eventually made him far more powerful than the king and wealthier than anyone in England. In that capacity he sponsored hundreds of constructions including bridges, canals, palaces, forts, castles and whole villages. In addition, Bishop Blois built dozens of abbeys and chapels and sponsored books including the treasured Winchester Bible.

Adela quarrelled with her eldest son Guillaume, who was described unfairly by enemical authors, as: "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate". Recent research indicates that he was boisterous and prone to violent bouts of temper but was not degenerate or retarded. Adela appointed his younger brother Theobald to replace him as heir in 1107. Her son Stephen moved to London in 1111 to join his uncle's court and became the favorite of his uncle King Henry I (Beauclerc). Upon Beauclerc's death in Normandy, Stephan Blois seized the English throne. He was crowned King when his cousin (step-sister) Empress Mathilda failed to act quickly. This action lead to numerous battles and an era known as "The Anarchy."

Adela retired to Marcigny Convent in 1120. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. Adela lived long enough to see her son Stephen on the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishopric of Winchester. She died on 8 March 1135 in Marsilly, Poitou-Charentes, France. See: LoPrete, Kimberly, Adela of Blois. Four Courts Press, Dublin.

[edit] In fiction

Adela was portrayed by Nike Arrighi in the two-part BBC TV play Conquest (1966), about her father's conquest of England, part of the series Theatre 625.

[edit] References

   * LoPrete,Kimberly. "The Anglo-Norman Card of Adela of Blois", Albion 22 (1990)

* LoPrete, Kimberly. "Adela of Blois and Ivo of Chartres: Piety, Politics, and the Peace in the Diocese of Chartres", Anglo-Norman Studies 19
* Parsons, John Carmi. Medieval Mothering (New Middle Ages), 1996
* LoPrete, Kimberly. Adela of Blois: Countess and Lord, C.1067-1137, Dublin: Four Courts (2007)
[edit] External links

   * RoyaList Online interactive family tree (en)

This page was last modified on 20 June 2010 at 03:59.

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Adela of Normandy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England (c. 1062 or 1067 – 8 March 1137?) was by marriage countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of both Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. She was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla. Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

Guillaume (William)(d. 1150), Count of Chartres married Agnes of Sulli (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne

Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.

Stephen of Blois {King of England}.

Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Both drowned on 25 November 1120.

Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset.

Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.

Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue

Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry(Divorced 1115)

Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

Adela was regent for her husband during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098), and when he returned in disgrace it was at least in part at her urging that he returned to the east to fulfil his vow of seeing Jerusalem.[citation needed] She was again regent in 1101, continuing after her husband's death on this second crusading expedition in 1102, for their children were still minors. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates in his absences and after his death.

She employed tutors to educate her elder sons, and had her youngest son Henry pledged to the Church at Cluny. Adela quarrelled with her eldest son Guillaume, "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate", and had his younger brother Theobald replace him as heir. Her son Stephen left Blois in 1111 to join his uncle's court in England.

Adela retired to Marcigny in 1120, secure in the status of her children. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. She lived long enough to see her son Stephen seize the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishophric of Winchester, but died soon after.

Adela was portrayed by Nike Arrighi in the two-part BBC TV play Conquest (1966), about her father's conquest of England, part of the series Theatre 625.

[edit]References

LoPrete,Kimberly. "The Anglo-Norman Card of Adela of Blois", Albion 22 (1990)

LoPrete, Kimberly. "Adela of Blois and Ivo of Chartres: Piety, Politics, and the Peace in the Diocese of Chartres", Anglo-Norman Studies 19

Parsons, John Carmi. Medieval Mothering (New Middle Ages), 1996

LoPrete, Kimberly. "Adela of Blois" Countess and Lord, C.1067-1137, Four Courts Dublin (2007)

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Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England (c. 1062 or 1067 – March 8, 1137?) was by marriage countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of both Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. She was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla. Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

Guillaume (William)(d. 1150), Count of Chartres married Agnes of Sulli (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne

Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.

Stephen of Blois {King of England}.

Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Both drowned on 25 November 1120.

Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset.

Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.

Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue

Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry(Divorced 1115)

Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

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AKA: Ctss. of Blois; Adela of England

Five sons & 1 daughter.

1095 became Regent. Husband on First Crusade.

1109 became a nun in convent in diocese in Autun.

BIOGRAPHY: b. 1062?

d. 1137

French ADÉLE, daughter of William I the Conqueror of England and mother of Stephen, king of England, whose right to the throne derived through her.

Adela was married to Stephen, count of Meaux and Brie, in 1080 at Breteuil. Upon the death of his father in 1090, her husband succeeded to the countships of Blois and Chartres. She took an active interest in civil and ecclesiastical affairs and was instrumental in rebuilding the Cathedral of Chartres in stone. In 1095 she became regent when her husband, at her urging, took part in the First Crusade to the Holy Land. He returned in 1099 but left to join the Second Crusade in 1101 and was killed in battle at Ramula. Adela continued as regent during the minority of her sons and was increasingly active in public life.

Anselm, the archbishop of Canterbury, her guest and teacher in 1097, was often entertained by her between 1103 and 1105, and she helped to effect a temporary reconciliation between him and her brother the English king Henry I in regard to the investiture controversy. In 1107 Adela entertained Pope Paschal II during Easter and in the following year was hostess to Bohemond I, prince of Antioch. She made her son Theobald her successor in 1109 and entered a convent in the diocese of Autun but continued to wield an important influence in public and clerical affairs. She persuaded Theobald to join her brother Henry I against the king of France in 1117.

Copyright © 1994-2001 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Wikipedia:

Wikipedia:

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England and also Adela, Princess of The English (c. 1062 or 1067 – 8 March 1137?) was, by marriage, Countess of Blois , Chartres , and Meaux . She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders . She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois , Bishop of Winchester .

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England ; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. She was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin .

She married Stephen Henry , son and heir to the count of Blois , sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade , along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose . Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101 . He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla . Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

William, Count of Sully married Agnes of Sully (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne

Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.

Stephen of Blois {King of England}.

Lucia-Mahaut , married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester . Both drowned on 25 November 1120.

Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset .

Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.

Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue

Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry (Divorced 1115)

Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

Adela was regent for her husband during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098), and when he returned in disgrace it was at least in part at her urging that he returned to the east to fulfil his vow of seeing Jerusalem .[citation needed ] She was again regent in 1101, continuing after her husband's death on this second crusading expedition in 1102, for their children were still minors. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates in his absences and after his death.

She employed tutors to educate her elder sons, and had her youngest son Henry pledged to the Church at Cluny . Adela quarrelled with her eldest son Guillaume, "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate", and had his younger brother Theobald replace him as heir. Her son Stephen left Blois in 1111 to join his uncle's court in England.

Adela retired to Marcigny in 1120, secure in the status of her children. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut , was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. She lived long enough to see her son Stephen seize the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishophric of Winchester, but died soon after on 8 March 1135 in Marsilly, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, France.

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Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England (c. 1062 or 1067 – March 8, 1137?) was by marriage countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of both Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. She was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla. Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

Guillaume (William)(d. 1150), Count of Chartres married Agnes of Sulli (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne

Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.

Stephen of Blois {King of England}.

Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Both drowned on 25 November 1120.

Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset.

Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.

Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue

Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry(Divorced 1115)

Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

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Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England was by marriage Countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of both Stephen, King of England, and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

She bore 11 children in her marriage with Stephen Henry of Blois. She was regent for him during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098), and when he returned in disgrace, it was at least in part at her urging that he returned to the east to fulfill his vow of seeing Jerusalem.

She was again regent in 1101, continuing after her husband's death on this second crusading expedition in 1102, for their children were still minors. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates in his absences and after his death.

She employed tutors to educate her elder sons, and had her youngest son Henry pledged to the Church at Cluny. Adela quarreled with her eldest son Guillaume, "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate," and had his younger brother Theobald replace him as heir. Her son Stephen left Blois in 1111 to join his uncle's court in England.

Adela retired to Marcigny in 1120, secure in the status of her children. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. She lived long enough to see her son Stephen seize the English throne in 1135, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishophric of Winchester, but died soon after.

Adela was our ancestor through two distinct descent lines--through her son Stephen and her son Theobald, each of whom was independently our ancestor.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adela_of_Normandy for more information.

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High spirited, well educated with a knowledge of Latin. Princess of England, Regent of Blois & Chartres. Later became a Cluniac nun.

Sources:

The book, 'The Europa Biographical Dictionary of British Women'

(plus many more ~ see Ancestors)

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BIOGRAPHY: b. 1062?

d. 1137

French ADÉLE, daughter of William I the Conqueror of England and mother of Stephen, king of England, whose right to the throne derived through her.

Adela was married to Stephen, count of Meaux and Brie, in 1080 at Breteuil. Upon the death of his father in 1090, her husband succeeded to the countships of Blois and Chartres. She took an active interest in civil and ecclesiastical affairs and was instrumental in rebuilding the Cathedral of Chartres in stone. In 1095 she became regent when her husband, at her urging, took part in the First Crusade to the Holy Land. He returned in 1099 but left to join the Second Crusade in 1101 and was killed in battle at Ramula. Adela continued as regent during the minority of her sons and was increasingly active in public life.

Anselm, the archbishop of Canterbury, her guest and teacher in 1097, was often entertained by her between 1103 and 1105, and she helped to effect a temporary reconciliation between him and her brother the English king Henry I in regard to the investiture controversy. In 1107 Adela entertained Pope Paschal II during Easter and in the following year was hostess to Bohemond I, prince of Antioch. She made her son Theobald her successor in 1109 and entered a convent in the diocese of Autun but continued to wield an important influence in public and clerical affairs. She persuaded Theobald to join her brother Henry I against the king of France in 1117.

Copyright © 1994-2001 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Wikipedia:

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England and also Adela, Princess of The English (c. 1062 or 1067 – 8 March 1137?) was, by marriage, Countess of Blois , Chartres , and Meaux . She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders . She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois , Bishop of Winchester .

Her birthdate is generally believed to have been between 1060 and 1064; however, there is some evidence she was born after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England ; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. She was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin .

She married Stephen Henry , son and heir to the count of Blois , sometime between 1080 and 1084, probably in 1083. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux in 1089, and owned over 300 properties, making him one of the wealthiest men of his day. He was a pious and revered leader who managed huge areas of France which inherited from his father and added to by his sharp administrations. He was, essentially a king in his own right. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade , along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose . Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101 . He was ultimately killed in an ill advised charge at the Battle of Ramla . Rumors of his cowardice and defection under fire are untrue and unfounded and have been proven to be propaganda generated by later biased historians. Stephen-Henry was often referred to as "le Sage," and was a great patron of Troubadours and writers.

Adela and Stephen's children are listed here as follows. Their birth order is uncertain.

William, Count of Sully married Agnes of Sully (d. aft 1104) and had issue.

Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne

Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young.

Stephen of Blois {King of England}.

Lucia-Mahaut , married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester . Both drowned on 25 November 1120.

Agnes of Blois, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset .

Eléonore of Blois (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) & had issue they were divorced in 1142.

Alix of Blois (d. 1145) married Renaud (d.1134)III of Joigni & had Issue

Lithuise of Blois (d. 1118) married Milo I of Montlhéry (Divorced 1115)

Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne

Henry of Blois b.1101- d. 1171 (oblate child raised at Cherite sur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103.

Adela was regent for her husband during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095-1098), and when he returned in disgrace it was at least in part at her urging that he returned to the east to fulfil his vow of seeing Jerusalem .[citation needed ] She was again regent in 1101, continuing after her husband's death on this second crusading expedition in 1102, for their children were still minors. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates in his absences and after his death.

She employed tutors to educate her elder sons, and had her youngest son Henry pledged to the Church at Cluny . Adela quarrelled with her eldest son Guillaume, "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate", and had his younger brother Theobald replace him as heir. Her son Stephen left Blois in 1111 to join his uncle's court in England.

Adela retired to Marcigny in 1120, secure in the status of her children. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut , was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. She lived long enough to see her son Stephen seize the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishophric of Winchester, but died soon after on 8 March 1135 in Marsilly, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, France.

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Fille de Guillaume le Conquérant

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    Adela 1062?-1137, mother of Stephen, king of England, and the fourth, and probably the youngest, daughter of

William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders, was born about 1062. Her beauty and valour in her early years are
described by many contemporary Norman chroniclers. While she was still a child she was affianced to Simon

Crispin, earl of Amiens, the son and heir of Ralph, earl of Valois and Mantes, who received his military training at

the court of William the Conqueror. But soon after his father's death in 1074 Simon fell into a settled melancholy;

and on being summoned in 1077 to marry Adela, he refused, and withdrew to a monastery. But already in 1075

Adela had been demanded in marriage by Stephen, earl of Meaux and Brie, son and heir of Theobald, earl of Blois

and Chartres, a powerful neighbour of William the Conqueror in Normandy; and although Stephen's suit had at first been unfavourably received, it was repeated in 1080, and readily accepted by William and his nobles. Adela was married in the same year at Breteuil, and the ceremony was repeated with much splendour at Chartres, the chief town in her father-in-law's dominion. Baldric of Anjou, abbot of Bourgeuil, and other courtly poets, speak of her at the time as being her father's equal in bravery, a Latin and Greek scholar, and a generous patron of poetry, at which she was herself an adept (Histoire Littéraire de la France, vii. 152, ix. 131).

    In 1090, on the death of Theobald, her husband's father, Stephen succeeded to his rule, and Adela played an active part in public life. In most of the charters issued by Stephen her name was mentioned, and an inscription, until recently legible, on a gate at Blois testifies to a grant of privileges to the town from Stephen the Earl and Adela the Countess conjointly. Disputes between monasteries, and ecclesiastical affairs generally, she seems to have controlled by her own authority, with the aid of her intimate friend Ivo, bishop of Chartres

In accordance with a previous suggestion of Anselm, she spent the last years of her life in a convent. She took the veil at the Cluniac priory of Marcigny on the Loire, in the diocese of Autun.

Sources:

    Ordericus Vitalis, Historia Ecclesiastica, is the chief contemporary authority. The best account of Adela's life will be found in Mrs. Green's Lives of the Princesses of England, i. 34-72, where very full references to all the original authorities are given

    see also Freeman's Norman Conquest, iii. and iv., and his William Rufus.