Hélie de Semur, duchesse consort de Bourgogne

• Daughter of Dalmas I, seigneur de Semur and Aremburge de Vergy
• Helie died on 28 February 1141, in Perseigne Abbey in neufchâtel-EN-Saosnois.

Project MedLands, DUKES of BURGUNDY 1032-1361

ROBERT de France, son of ROBERT II "le Pieux" King of France & his third wife Constance d'Arles ([1011/12]-church of Fleury-sur-Ouche, Côte d’Or 8 or 18 Mar 1076, bur Abbaye de Saint-Seine, Côte d’Or). The Historia Francorum names (in order) "Hugonem qui cognominatus est Magnus, Henricum, Robertum, Odonem" as the four sons of King Robert and his wife Constance[144]. Rodulfus Glauber names "Heinricus rex…germanium suum Rotbertum" when recording the latter's installation as duke of Burgundy by his brother[145]. His mother supported him as candidate to be consecrated associate king in 1027, in place of his older brother Henri who was supported by their father. His father named him heir to the duchy of Burgundy in 1030. He was installed as ROBERT I Duke of Burgundy in 1032 by his brother King Henri I. Comte d'Auxerre in 1040, when he conquered the county after Hugues Bishop of Auxerre died in 1039. He lost it after the 1060 council of Autun which ended his war with Nevers[146]. “Robertus Burgundie dux” renounced rights “in villa...Gilliacus...” in favour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés by charter dated 22 Sep 1040, subscribed by “...Elie conjugis eius...”[147]. “Robertus dux Burgundiorum cum uxore mea Helia” donated “terram...Villare Bichet...in pago Belnensi” to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with the consent of “filiorum nostrorum Hugonis et Henrici”, by charter dated to [1043/44][148]. “Robertus dux et duo filii mei Hugo et Henricus” renounced rights to revenue from land “in Gilliaco” in favour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés by charter dated 2 Feb 1053[149]. The necrology of Cîteaux records the death "VIII Id Mar" of "Robertus…dux Burgundie"[150]. The necrology of Molesme records the death "XV Kal Apr" of "Robertus dux Burgundie et Ermengardis uxor eius"[151]. There is some mystery surrounding his death: a narrative by Pierre de Saint-Julien deacon of Chalon records that “Robertus dux” died “nuper dedecorose” in the church of Fleury-sur-Ouche, without providing further details[152]. married firstly ([1033], repudiated [1048/50]%29 HELIE de Semur, daughter of DALMAS [I] Seigneur de Semur-en-Brionnais & his wife Aramburge ([1016]-Semur-en-Brionnais, Saône-et-Loire 22 Apr after 1055). "Robertus dux Burgundionum" confirmed the possessions of Cluny by charter dated [1040] subscribed by "Ilie uxoris eius"[153]. The date of the marriage is deduced from the charter, dated to [1034], which is subscribed by "Roberti ducis et uxoris sue", under which "Gibuinus" confirmed a donation to Saint-Etienne de Dijon[154]. “Robertus Burgundie dux” renounced rights “in villa...Gilliacus...” in favour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés by charter dated 22 Sep 1040, subscribed by “...Elie conjugis eius...”[155]. "Robertus…dux et rector inferioris Burgundiæ" donated property to Saint-Bénigne-de-Dijon by charter dated 1 Mar 1043 which names "Helie uxoris mee…"[156]. “Robertus dux Burgundiorum cum uxore mea Helia” donated “terram...Villare Bichet...in pago Belnensi” to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with the consent of “filiorum nostrorum Hugonis et Henrici”, by charter dated to [1043/44][157]. Her parentage is confirmed by the Vita S Hugonis, which records that "Dux Burgundie, gener eius" killed the father of St Hugues (abbot of Cluny) by his own hand[158]. The "Notes historiques sur le prieuré de Marcigny", included in the cartulary of Marcigny-sur-Loire, name (in order) "sancti Hugonis abbatis Cluniacensis et Gaufredi Sinemurensis, Andræ levitæ, Joceranni et Dalmatii, et sororum eorundem…Materdis, Adalaidæ et Cecilæ atque Evellæ" as children of "Dalmatius", but do not make the link with Duke Robert[159]. "Robertus dux et uxor sua Hylia" donated money to the church of Saint-Etienne de Dijon by undated charter[160]. She was repudiated, presumably on grounds of consanguinity, before [1050] when Jean Abbot of Fécamp wrote to Pope Leo IX recording that "Tedbaldo comite et Burgundionum…duce R" had "abdicatis legitimi thori connumbiis" and had "in inhonestis et consanguinitate fœdatis thalamis"[161]. She became a nun as PETRONILLE after her repudiation[162]. The necrology of Auxerre cathedral records the death 22 Apr of "Helya uxor Rotberti ducis"[163]. married secondly ([1049]) as her second husband, ERMENGARDE d'Anjou, widow of GEOFFROY II "Ferréol" Seigneur de Château-Landon, Comte de Gâtinais, daughter of FOULQUES III "Nerra/the Black" Comte d’Anjou & his second wife Hildegarde de Metz ([1015/20]-[church of Fleury-sur-Ouche, Côte d’Or 18 Mar 1076]). The Historiæ Andegavensis names "Goffridi de Castro Landono et Ermengardis filia Fulconis Comitis Andegavensis" as parents of "Fulco comes Andegavensis"[164]. Considering that she gave birth to at least one child by her second marriage, it is unlikely that Ermengarde was born earlier than [1015]. She must therefore have been considerably younger than her brother. Her first marriage is dated very approximately to [1035]. Her second marriage is deduced from a genealogy of the Comtes d'Anjou which names "Fulco (pater) Gosfridus et Ermengardis (mater) Gosfridus (et) Fulco (et) Hildegardis, de altero patre, filia Roberti ducis fratris Henrici regis"[165]. Her second marriage is dated from the letter written before [1050] by Jean Abbot of Fécamp to Pope Leo IX recording that "Tedbaldo comite et Burgundionum…duce R" had "abdicatis legitimi thori connumbiis" and had "in inhonestis et consanguinitate fœdatis thalamis"[166]. The necrology of Molesme records the death "XV Kal Apr" of "Robertus dux Burgundie et Ermengardis uxor eius"[167]. This suggests that Ermengarde died on the same day as her husband, possibly at the same place and in the same circumstances, although it is not infrequent for medieval necrologies to record couples on the same day maybe in commemoration of a joint donation to the religious institution in question. No other source which elucidates the circumstances of Ermengarde’s death has been identified.

Duke Robert I & his first wife HELIE de Semur had three children:

• 1. HUGUES de Bourgogne ([1034]-killed in battle [1059/60]). "Hugonis ducis filii, bone indolis pueri" is named in a charter of "Robertus dux Burgundionum" dated [1032/39][168]. "Robertus…dux et rector inferioris Burgundiæ" donated property to Saint-Bénigne-de-Dijon by charter dated 1 Mar 1043 which names "Helie uxoris mee…seu filiorum nostrorum Hugonis…atque Heinrici"[169]. He was killed during the war with Nevers[170]. “Robertus dux Burgundiorum cum uxore mea Helia” donated “terram...Villare Bichet...in pago Belnensi” to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with the consent of “filiorum nostrorum Hugonis et Henrici”, by charter dated to [1043/44][171]. “Robertus dux et duo filii mei Hugo et Henricus” renounced rights to revenue from land “in Gilliaco” in favour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés by charter dated 2 Feb 1053[172].
• 2. HENRI de Bourgogne "le Damoiseau" ([1035]-27 Jan [1070/74]). "Robertus…dux et rector inferioris Burgundiæ" donated property to Saint-Bénigne-de-Dijon by charter dated 1 Mar 1043 which names "Helie uxoris mee…seu filiorum nostrorum Hugonis…atque Heinrici"[173]. He is named as first born son of Duke Robert by Orderic Vitalis, who specifies that Henri died in his father's lifetime leaving three sons whom he names[174]. “Robertus dux Burgundiorum cum uxore mea Helia” donated “terram...Villare Bichet...in pago Belnensi” to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with the consent of “filiorum nostrorum Hugonis et Henrici”, by charter dated to [1043/44][175]. “Robertus dux et duo filii mei Hugo et Henricus” renounced rights to revenue from land “in Gilliaco” in favour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés by charter dated 2 Feb 1053[176]. "Henricus Roberti ducis filius Burgundie" granted rights in the forest of Saint-Julien to the church of Saint-Etienne de Dijon by undated charter[177]. married ? (-6 Jul 1074 or after, bur Besançon, Saint-Etienne). The wife of Henri de Bourgogne has not been identified with certainty. Abbé Maurice Chaume[178] suggested that she was a relative of Ramón Borell I Conde de Barcelona, pointing out the use of the name "Borel" by her son and grandson Dukes Eudes I and Hugues II. Szabolcs de Vajay[179] proposed more specifically that she was --- de Barcelona, daughter of Berenguer Ramón I "el Curvo" Conde de Barcelona & his third wife Guisle de Ampurias, married while her husband and his father were in Barcelona on crusade in Spain. There appears to be nothing to support the suggestion that her first name was Sibylla. Jean Richard[180] suggested that the wife of Henri de Bourgogne was possibly named Clémence, a name used by her descendants, and that she may have originated from Poitiers. There does not appear to be any direct proof to support any of these theories.

Henri de Bourgogne & his wife had seven children:

• a) HUGUES de Bourgogne ([1056/57]-Cluny, Saône-et-Loire 29 Aug 1093, bur Abbaye de Cluny, Chapelle de Sainte-Marie). He is named as son of Henri by Orderic Vitalis[181]. His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated [21 Mar 1076/24 Jan 1077] which names "Hugo…post decessum Rotberti ducis" and which specifies that Robert was "patris Heinrici genitoris nostri"[182]. He succeeded his grandfather in 1076 as HUGUES I Duke of Burgundy, although the former intended Hugues's uncle Robert de Bourgogne as his successor. Orderic Vitalis records that Hugues succeeded in expelling Robert, along with his younger brother Simon, from Burgundy[183]. "Hugo Burgundionum dux" made a donation to Cluny dated 19 Feb 1078, subscribed by "Oddonis fratris eius, Rotberti alterius fratris eius"[184]. Duke Hugues left for Spain in [1078/79] to fight the Moors, helping Sancho I King of Aragon to take the kingdom of Navarre. Orderic Vitalis records that he abdicated as duke in favour of his younger brother Eudes, and became a monk at Cluny[185], dated to [Oct/Nov] 1079.
  
• b) EUDES de Bourgogne ([1060]-Tarsus, Cilicia 23 Mar 1103, bur Abbaye de Cîteaux, Côte-d'Or, Chapelle Saint-Georges). He is named as son of Henri by Orderic Vitalis[186]. He succeeded in 1079 on the abdication of his brother as EUDES I "Borel" Duke of Burgundy.
  
• c) ROBERT de Bourgogne (-Châtillon-sur-Seine, Côte d'Or 18 Sep 1111, bur Abbaye de Molesmes, near Langres). He is named as son of Henri by Orderic Vitalis[187]. "Hugo Burgundionum dux" made a donation to Cluny dated 19 Feb 1078, subscribed by "Oddonis fratris eius, Rotberti alterius fratris eius"[188]. Clerk at Langres 1077, archdeacon 1080. Bishop of Langres 1085, after the death of Renaud de Bar. "Odo dux Burgundie" confirmed a donation by "frater meus domnus Hugo" to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "fratres mei Robertus archidiaconus, Henricus puer, Beatrix et Helia sorores mee" by charter dated to [1081/84][189]. "Odo dux Burgundie" donated the village of Marcenay to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "omnes eius fratres et sorores Robertus, Henricus, Beatrix, Helia" by charter dated to [1080/83][190]. Robert took part in the war in Spain against the Moors, with his two brothers Eudes and Henri, in 1087. He became a Benedictine monk at Molesmes, being a friend of St Bruno who founded the Order of Chartreux[191]. The cartulary of Saint-Bénigne-de-Dijon includes a funerary elogy of the life of "Roberti Lingonensis episcopi…regum Franciæ ac ducum Burgundiæ stirpe genitus" dated 19 Oct 1111[192].
  
• d) BEATRIX de Bourgogne (-after [1111/12]). "Odo dux Burgundie" confirmed a donation by "frater meus domnus Hugo" to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "fratres mei Robertus archidiaconus, Henricus puer, Beatrix et Helia sorores mee" by charter dated to [1081/84][193]. "Odo dux Burgundie" donated the village of Marcenay to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "omnes eius fratres et sorores Robertus, Henricus, Beatrix, Helia" by charter dated to [1080/83][194]. "Beatrix soror Rotberti Lingonensis episcopi" donated property to the abbey of Molesme by charter dated to [1085/1106][195]. "…Widone filio predicti Widonis et uxore eius Beatrice et filiis eorum Roberto et Widone" consented to the donation by "Oddo et Albertus fratres" to the abbey of Saint-Etienne de Vignory by charter dated to [1081/1112][196]. "Domina Beatrix uxor domini Widonis de Wannulriaco" donated property to Molesme by charter dated [1111/12] which names "fratris sui Roberti Linguonensis episcopi"[197]. married (after 1082) GUY [III] Seigneur de Vignory, son of GUY [II] Seigneur de Vignory & his wife Hildegarde (-before 1126).
  
• e) HELIE de Bourgogne (-after [1081/84]). "Odo dux Burgundie" confirmed a donation by "frater meus domnus Hugo" to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "fratres mei Robertus archidiaconus, Henricus puer, Beatrix et Helia sorores mee" by charter dated to [1081/84][198]. "Odo dux Burgundie" donated the village of Marcenay to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "omnes eius fratres et sorores Robertus, Henricus, Beatrix, Helia" by charter dated to [1080/83][199]. Nun.
  
• f) RENAUD de Bourgogne ([1064]-10 Jan 1092). Monk at the abbey of Saint Pierre at Flavigny, abbot from [1084/85]. The necrology of Flavigny records the death "IV Id Feb" of "Rainaldus frater ducis abbas Flaviniacensis"[200].
  
• g) HENRI de Bourgogne ([1069/72]-killed in battle Astorga León 1 Nov 1112, bur Braga Cathedral). "Heynricus frater meus" witnessed the donation to Cluny of "Oddo dux Burgundie"[201]. An indication of his age is given in the charter dated to [1081/84] under which "Odo dux Burgundie" confirmed a donation by "frater meus domnus Hugo" to the abbey of Molesme with the consent of "fratres mei Robertus archidiaconus, Henricus puer, Beatrix et Helia sorores mee"[202]. His parentage is confirmed by an early 12th century document at Fleury which records that "Ainrico uni filiorum, filio…ducis Roberti" married "alteram filiam…non ex coniugali" of Alfonso VI King of Castile[203]. He took part in the war in Spain against the Moors, with his two brothers Eudes and Robert, in 1087. His aunt Queen Constance invited him to the court of Castile. Señor de Braga [1093]. He was installed as HENRIQUE Conde de Portugal in [1093] or [1095] by Alfonso VI King of Castile.
  

• 3. CONSTANCE de Bourgogne ([after 1045]-[Jan/Feb] or [3 Apr/25 Oct] 1093, bur Sahagún, León, royal monastery of Santos Facundo y Primitivo). The Chronicon Trenorciensi records that "Constantiæ…filia Roberti Ducis" married firstly "Hugonis Cabilonensis Comitis" and secondly "Hispaniæ Rex Adefonsus"[204]. Considering the estimated date of her first marriage, it is unlikely that Constance was born before [1045]. She was therefore considerably younger than her brothers. A charter dated 5 Aug 1087 of "Ducem Burgundiæ Oddonem" restored property to Tournus abbey by "comitissa Cabillonensis filia Rotberti ducis", after the death of "mariti sui Hugonis comitis", adding that she subsequently became "Regina Galliciæ et Hispaniarum"[205]. "Infanta donna Urraka Regis domni Adefonsi filia" names her mother "Constantie regina" in her donation to Cluny dated 22 Feb 1117 "Spanish Era"[206], although the date was presumably AD as 1117 Spanish Era was equivalent to 1079 AD. An early 12th century document at Fleury records that "filiam Roberti ducis Bugundionem…Constantiam" married Alfonso VI King of Castile and was mother of a daughter who married "Raymundo comiti"[207]. The Chronicon Regum Legionensium names "Queen Constance" as the second of the "five legitimate wives" of King Alfonso[208]. Her second marriage date is estimated based on the likely estimated death date of her first husband in [Nov/early Dec] 1079 and her subscribing a document dated 25 Dec 1079 at Dueñas with her second husband[209]. Queen Constance was instrumental in having the Roman rite replace the Visigothic rite in the churches of Castile. "Adefonsus…Hispaniarum rex…cum coniuge mea Constantia regina" donated property to the monastery of San Salvador de Oña by charter dated 1 May 1092[210]. The date of her death is fixed by her last known mention in a charter dated 25 Jul 1093 and a donation by King Alfonso to the monastery of Sahagún dated 25 Oct 1093, which does not include Queen Constanza's name in the subscription list[211]. Pérez´s history of Sahagún monastery, published in 1782, states that "Doña Berta…Reyna…está enterrada no lejos de Doña Constanza en la Capilla" of the monastery, but does not quote the inscription which confirms this statement[212]. married firstly ([1065]%29 HUGUES [II] Comte de Chalon, son of THIBAUT Comte de Chalon & his wife Ermentrude (-in Spain [Nov/early Dec] 1079). married secondly (late 1079 or 8 May 1081) as his second wife, ALFONSO VI King of Castile and León, son of FERNANDO I King of Castile & his wife Sancha de León (Compostella [1036] or before Jun 1040-29 or 30 Jun 1109, bur Sahagún, León, San Mancio chapel in the royal monastery of Santos Facundo y Primitivo).

Duke Robert & his [first/second] wife had two children:

• 4. ROBERT de Bourgogne (-poisoned [1113]). He is named as son of Duke Robert by Orderic Vitalis[213]. Petit, followed by Jean Richard, suggests that Robert and Simon were sons of Duke Robert by his second marriage[214]. Given his active career in the early 12th century, a birth date in the 1050s is more likely than in the late 1030s/early 1040s, but there appears to be no surviving primary source which points either way. Orderic Vitalis records that he was declared heir to the duchy of Burgundy by his father, after his older [half-]brother died, but was dispossessed by his nephew Duke Hugues I[215]. A charter dated 5 Aug 1087 of "Ducem Burgundiæ Oddonem" restored property to Tournus abbey by "comitissa Cabillonensis filia Rotberti ducis", after the death of "mariti sui Hugonis comitis", adding that she subsequently became "Regina Galliciæ et Hispaniarum", subscribed by "Rotberti avunculi ducis fratris Reginæ", the charter signed at León[216]. Orderic Vitalis records that he "made a friendly alliance" with Adelaida, widow of Roger I Count of Sicily, who arranged his marriage and appointed him co-regent for her son[217]. He was murdered by his mother-in-law with a poisoned draught after Count Roger II came of age[218]. His death date is estimated from Orderic Vitalis recording that "for ten years he defended the principality [Sicily] vigourously against all attacks"[219]. married (1102 or 1103) [SIBYLLE] of Sicily, daughter of ROGER I Count of Sicily & his second wife Eremburge de Mortain. Orderic Vitalis records that Adelaida, widow of Roger I Count of Sicily, arranged the marriage of "her daughter" (unnamed) to Robert de Bourgogne whom she appointed co-regent for her son[220]. Kerrebrouck says that Sibylle was the possible name of this daughter and that she was born from his third marriage[221], presumably reading the passage in Orderic Vitalis literally. It seems more likely chronologically that she was the daughter of Count Roger's second marriage.
• 5. SIMON de Bourgogne (-after 1087). He is named as son of Duke Robert by Orderic Vitalis[222]. Petit, followed by Jean Richard, suggests that Robert and Simon were sons of Duke Robert by his second marriage[223]. He was expelled from Burgundy with his brother Robert[224]. Bouchard speculates that "Simon" was an error for "Hugh", who is not mentioned by Orderic Vitalis. However, as Hugues had been dead for some time when Orderic wrote his chronicle such an omission may not be surprising[225].

Duke Robert & his second wife ERMENGARDE d'Anjou had one child:

• 6. AUDEARDE [Hildegarde] de Bourgogne (-after 1120, bur Poitiers, [%C3%A9glise abbatiale de Saint-Jean l'Evangéliste de Montierneuf]). The Chronicle of Saint-Maxence records the marriage of "Guido comes" and "Aldeardim filiam Roberti ducis Burgundiæ" after he repudiated his previous wife[226]. Her precise parentage is deduced from a genealogy of the Comtes d'Anjou which names "Fulco (pater) Gosfridus et Ermengardis (mater) Gosfridus (et) Fulco (et) Hildegardis, de altero patre, filia Roberti ducis fratris Henrici regis"[227]. married (Mar 1069, separated 1076) as his third wife, GUILLAUME VIII Duke of Aquitaine, GUILLAUME VI Comte de Poitou, son of GUILLAUME V "le Grand" Duke of Aquitaine [GUILLAUME III Comte de Poitou] & his third wife Agnès de Mâcon [Bourgogne-Comt%C3%A9] (1023-Chizé near Niort, Poitou 25 Sep 1086, bur Poitiers, église abbatiale de Saint-Jean l'Evangéliste de Montierneuf).

Helie of Burgundy

Helie of Burgundy was the daughter of Eudes I and Sibylla of Burgundy. In June 1095, she married Bertrand of Toulouse, as his second wife. The two had one son, Pons of Tripoli S. -1137 1098. Bertrand succeeded his father as count of Toulouse in 1105, and in 1108, he went to Outremer to claim his rights of fathers and the count of Tripoli. Helie accompanied him in this expedition, which ended in the capture of Tripoli in 1109, soon after their nephew William-Jordan died of wounds, giving Bertrand the undisputed claim to Tripoli. Bertrand died in 1112, and Pons succeeded him in Tripoli. Helie returned to France, where she married William III of Ponthieu in 1115. They had twelve children, including two named Robert, two named William, and two named Enguerrand:

• John I, count of Alençon d. 1191.
• ELA aka Adela d. 10 Oct 1174, in a first marriage to William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey, and second Patrick of Salisbury, 1st Earl of Salisbury.
• Mabile. (Мабиле)
• Clemence d. BEF. 1189, married Juhel, sire de Mayenne.
• Robert. (Роберт)
• Enguerrand.
• The second guy of Ponthieu d. 1147.
• William d. Aft. 1166.
• Robert De Garennes d. aft. 1171, monk.
• Philippe d. BEF. 1149.
• William. (Уильям)

Links

• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pinofiel/haro_osorio.htm
• http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00026652&tree=LEO
• http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/Robert_I,_Duke_of_Burgun...
• https://www.softdata.si/wt/Err_20210117/LA/566_60_0.htm
• https://amp.ww.en.freejournal.org/178654/1/constance-of-burgundy.html
• https://electricscotland.com/webclans/minibios/c/FAMILY_BOOK_VolI.pdf

Sources

• MÉMOIRES - PANDOR - Université de Bourgogne - https://pandor.u-bourgogne.fr/functions/ead/detached/MSHDB/MSHDB_19...
• The Project Gutenberg eBook of How France Built Her Cathedrals, by Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly. - http://eremita.di.uminho.pt/gutenberg/4/1/6/8/41687/41687-h/41687-h...
• The LUNNEY FAMILY of Maine are the descendants of THOMAS ANDREW LUNNEY - https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1675512582?prof...
• The Age of Chivalry - http://1.droppdf.com/files/vQLxp/the-age-of-chivalry-hywel-williams...
• Descendants of FORNJOTUR - https://www.academia.edu/36423109/Descendants_of_FORNJOTUR
• Converted by FileMerlin API - That Crazy Frenchman, from the Prodigy™ Genealogy, Veterans, Poetry Bulletin Boards. - http://doc5thmech.com/BourbonAnc.pdf