, Adela

Adela of Normandy also known as Adela of Blois and Adela of England (c.1067[1] – 8 March 1137) was, by marriage, Countess of Blois, Chartres,and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda ofFlanders. She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henryof Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Her birthdate is generally believed to be between 1066 and 1070, afterher father''s accession to the English throne in 1066.[1] She was thefavourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably theyoungest of the Conqueror''s children.[2] Adela was a high-spirited andeducated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.[3]

She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, between1080. and 1083, around her fifteenth birthday.[4] Stephen was nearlytwenty years her senior.[1] Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meauxupon his father''s death in 1089, as well as lands and right in parts ofBerry and Burgundy.[4] Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade in 1096,along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen''s letters to Adelaform a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade''sleaders[5] and show that he trusted Adela to rule as regent while he wason crusade.[4] The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringingwith him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which hedeposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the popefor agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participatein the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill-advised chargeat the Battle of Ramla.[6]

Adela and Stephen''s children are listed here in probable birth order.Their birth order is uncertain.
William, Count of Sully married Agnes of Sully (d. aft 1104) and hadissue
Theobald II, aka Thibaud IV Count of Champagne
Odo of Blois, aka Humbert. died young
Adela, married Milo II of Montlhéry (divorced 1115)
King Stephen of England, married Matilda of Boulogne
Lucia-Mahaut, married Richard d''Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. Bothdrowned on 25 November 1120
Philip (d. 1100) Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne
Agnes, married Hugh de Puiset and were parents to Hugh de Puiset
Alix, (d. 1145) married Renaud III of Joigni (d.1134) & had issue
Henry, Bishop of Winchester (1101-1171) oblate child raised at Cheritesur Loire (Cluny Abbey) 1103
Eleanor, (d. 1147) married Raoul I of Vermandois (d.1152) and had issue,they were divorced in 1142

Some of the daughters may have been step-daughters of Adela, rather thanbiological children. It is known that Adela had five biological sons andmay have had three or more daughters,[1] though not all of the daughterswere necessarily Adela''s biological children.[7] The daughters are notmentioned by name during their youth, only appearing when they reachmarriageable age and play an important part in building alliances.[4]

Adela, a devout Benedictine sympathizer, employed several high-rankingtutors to educate her children.[8] Her youngest son, Henry, was conceivedduring the single year Stephen was in France between crusading duties. Attwo years of age Henry was pledged to the Church at Cluny, Chreit surLoire as an Oblate child. Henry went on to be appointed Abbot ofGlastonbury and Bishop of Winchester. In that capacity he sponsoredhundreds of constructions including bridges, canals, palaces, forts,castles and whole villages. In addition, Bishop Henry built dozens ofabbeys and chapels and sponsored books including the treasured WinchesterBible.

Adela quarrelled with her eldest son William and despite his previouslybeing named heir-designate,[9] she appointed his younger brother Theobaldto replace him as heir in 1107. Her son Stephen moved to London in 1111to join his uncle''s court and became the favorite of his uncle King HenryI (Beauclerc). Upon Beauclerc''s death in Normandy (1135), Stephen ofBlois seized the English throne.

Adela filled in as regent for her husband''s duties during his extendedabsence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095–1098)[4] as well as duringhis second expedition in 1101. This included granting monks the right tobuild new churches, as well as other charters. Adela also worked with Ivoof Chartres at various points, exchanging letters throughout herregency,[10] to discuss matters such as the control of misbehaving nunsand larger issues such as disputes about sworn oaths.[4] While herhusband was away, Adela would continue to tour their lands, settlingdisputes, promoting economic growth, and even commanding knights to go tobattle with the king.[4] Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise andspirited woman" who ably governed her husband''s estates and her own.[4]

Adela continued to act as regent after her husband''s death and throughher son Thibaud''s early rule until her retirement in 1120.[4] Even afterThibaud came of age and no longer needed a regent, Adela continued toissue charters and act as co-ruler of many parts their land. Adela didnot secure a marriage alliance for Thibaud, who did not get married untilafter Adela''s retirement, which helped to maintain her power andinfluence over both her son and her lands.[11]

Adela retired to Marcigny Convent in 1120. Though she may have consideredretiring to an abbey in Normandy, where members of her family, includingsisters and nieces may have already been living; Adela was drawn to andchose the larger, more prestigious convent at Marcigny near her son Henryat Cluny Abbey.[12] Adela may have acted as prioress within the communityat Marcigny, though this is not certain.[13] She continued to interactwith her children and the ecclesiastical leaders of lands that she hadonce ruled, communicating with them and maintaining her influence overthe area.[14] In one instance, Adela sent letters to both her son Thibaud[15] and Geoffrey, bishop of Chartres reminding them of her settlement ofa monastic case.[16]

Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreckof the White Ship alongside her husband. Adela lived long enough to seeher son Stephen on the English throne, though any response she had tothis development has been lost.[17] She likely took pride in theascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishopric ofWinchester in 1129.[2] She died on 8 March 1137 in Marsilly,Poitou-Charentes, France. After her death, prayers were offered at anumber of churches that she had endowed personally or had recognized atsome point during her life.[18]