, Alan Iv, Duke Of Brittany

Alan IV (born circa 1063; died 13 October 1119) was Duke of Brittany from1084 until his abdication in 1112. He was also Count of Nantes and Countof Rennes. His parents were Hawise, Duchess of Brittany and Hoel II. Heis also known as Alan Fergant. ("Fer gant" in French means "Iron glove".)Through his father, he was of the Breton House of Cornouaille dynasty(Breton: Kerne dynasty). He was the last Duke of Brittany to speak theBreton language.[1]

A traditional rivalry between Brittany and Normandy continued at theclose of the 11th century. The Breton-Norman war of 1064–1065 was theresult of William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy (later to become known asWilliam the Conqueror) support of rebels in Brittany against Alan''smaternal uncle, Conan II.

Conan II died in late 1066 during a campaign in Anjou, and was succeededby Alan''s parents, Conan''s sister Hawise as Duchess and her husband HoelII as Consort. Hoel ruled as Regent of Brittany from Duchess Hawise''sdeath in 1072 until Alan reached his majority in 1084.[2]

Arthur Collins[3] described either Alan IV or Alan Rufus (the two of whomhe confuses) as follows: "In his youth he was not a little famous for hisvalour, insomuch as he feared not William, then Duke of Normandy". Toprevent further hostilities during his invasion of England, William Imarried his daughter Constance to the new duke Alan in 1087.[4] Themarriage ceremonies may have taken place in Bayeux in Normandy. Williamof Malmesbury wrote that Constance was unpopular at the Breton courtbecause of her "severe and conservative" manner.[4] William of Malmesburyalso alleged that Alan IV had Constance poisoned to death, but thisremained unverified[4] However, Orderic Vitalis wrote that as duchessConstance did all she could to further the welfare of the Bretons, whogrieved deeply at her death in 1090.[4]

In 1092 Alan IV donated property to the abbey of Redon by charter, and by1093 married Ermengarde of Anjou, as a political alliance with Fulk IV ofAnjou to counter Anglo-Norman influence.[4]

Duke Alan IV''s cousin Geoffrey I Boterel (eldest brother of Alan Rufus)died on 24 August 1093 in battle at Dol while in rebellion against theDuke.

Alan IV abdicated as Duke in 1112. The former Duke retired to themonastery of Redon, where he died in 1119.

In 1098 Alan went on the First Crusade, leaving Ermengarde as his regent,and returned in 1101.

Alan IV married Constance in 1087. Constance died in 1090. She had noissue.

Alan''s second marriage was to Ermengarde of Anjou in 1093. WithErmengarde he had three children:[4]
Geoffrey - died young;
Conan - his successor as Duke of Brittany; and
Hawise - she married Count Baldwin VII of Flanders, also known as HawiseFergant

Alan and Ermengarde were separated upon his abdication as Duke in 1112.

His illegitimate son was Brian Fitzcount.

Alan IV died in 1119 at the monastery of Redon, where he had retiredafter his abdication in 1112, and separation from his wife Ermengarde.His only surviving son, Conan III succeeded him.