William II, Count of Eu

William II, Count of Eu, (d. January 1097), son of Robert, Count of Eu, and Beatrix de Falaise. Count of Eu and Lord of Hastings.

William was a first generation Anglo-Norman aristocrat and rebel. Most historians identify him with Count William of Eu, who succeeded his father, Robert, at latest by 1093. However professor David Douglas disputed the identification, basing himself on the genealogical researches of Edmund Chester Waters. In support of Douglas, while the west country estates of William were confiscated by the Crown in 1095, the strategically important Honour of Hastings was left in the hands of the Counts of Eu. It seems likely therefore that different people are being considered.

William of Eu held some 77 manors in the west of England and had been amongst the rebels against William II in 1088. He made his peace with the King, but with his wife's nephew, William of Aldrie, he conspired with Roger de Lacy and Robert de Mowbray to murder William II and install the King's cousin Stephen of Aumale.

In 1095 the rebels impounded four Norwegian trading ships and refused the King's demand to return the merchandise.

King William conducted a lightning campaign, outflanking the rebels at Newcastle upon Tyne and capturing a rebel stronghold at Morpeth. He besieged the rebels at Bamburgh Castle and built a castle facing the existing one.

William married Helisende d'Avranches, sister of Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester. William and Helisende had one son:

William also had a number of illegitimate children by his mistress Beatrice, sister of Roger of Bruilli, Lord of Tickhill.

During January 1097 in Salisbury, William was formally accused of treason, challenged to trial by battle and was defeated by Geoffrey Baynard, former High Sheriff of Yorkshire.[1] It was finally decided that William was to be blinded and mutilated.[1] William died sometime later and was buried at Hastings.[2] William's son Henry inherited the countship of Eu and also became Lord of Hastings.

References

  1. 1 2 Edward Augustus Freeman, The Reign of William Rufus and the Accession of Henry the First, Vol.2, (Clarendon Press, 1882), 63-65.
  2. ↑ Emma Cownie, Religious Patronage in Anglo-Norman England, 1066-1135, (Royal Historical Society, 1998), 213.
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