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Genealogy of a Large and Diverse Family

A Journey Through Time

, Alan Iii, Duke Of Brittany

Alan III, Duke of BrittanyI11718
b: 997
d: 1 OCT 1040
Biography
Alan III of Rennes (997–1 October 1040) (French: Alain III de Bretagne)was Count of Rennes and duke of Brittany, by right of succession from1008 to his death.

He was the son of Duke Geoffrey I and Hawise of Normandy.[1] Alansucceeded his father as Duke of Brittany in 1008.[2] Because he was stilla minor at his father''s death, his mother acted as regent of Brittany [3]while her brother Richard II, Duke of Normandy assumed guardianship overBrittany.[4] In 1018 Alan married Bertha of Blois, daughter of Odo II,Count of Blois and his second wife Ermengarde of Auvergne.[1]

When Richard III, Duke of Normandy died in August of 1026, his brotherRobert I succeeded him.[5] Alan apparently took advantage of theresulting turmoil to break free of Norman suzerainty.[4] In the early1030s Robert I successfully attacked Dol and Alan''s retaliatory raid onAvranches was repulsed causing continued raiding back and forth betweenthem.[6] Facing an invasion from Normandy via land and from Duke Robert''sfleet, Robert, Archbishop of Rouen mediated a truce between his twonephews at Mont Saint-Michel where Alan swore fealty to his cousinRobert.[7] When he left Normandy for the Holy Land Robert I, Duke ofNormandy appointed his cousin, Alan III, to be a guardian of his youngson William.[a][8] Alan III also assisted Herbert I ''Wake-Dog'' in hiswars with Avesgaud, Bishop of Le Mans and was with the count in hisattack on Avesgaud''s castle at La Ferté-Bernard destroying the castle andcausing Avesgaud to flee.[9]

In 1037 at the death of Robert, Archbishop of Rouen, the protection ofyoung William was now left to Alan III and his cousin Gilbert whotentatively held Normandy together.[10] They appointed Mauger to the nowvacant see of Rouen and his brother William as count of Arques,attempting to gain their support for Duke William.[10] On 1 October 1040,while besieging a rebel castle near Vimoutiers in Normandy, Alan IIIsuddenly died.[10] According to Orderic, he was poisoned by unnamedNormans.[b][11]

By Bertha of Blois, he had two children:
Conan II, (d. 1066), succeeded his father.[1]
Hawise of Brittany, who married Hoel of Cornouaille.[1]

After 14 May 1046 his widow Bertha married secondly Hugh IV, Count ofMaine.[1]
Facts
  • 997 - Birth -
  • 1 OCT 1040 - Death - ; Vimoutiers
  • 20 NOV 1008 - Reign - Duke ; Brittany
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Alan III, Duke of Brittany
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Family Group Sheet - Child
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MAlan III, Duke of Brittany
Birth997
Death1 OCT 1040Vimoutiers

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