A previously unnoticed granddaughter of King Harold II

[transemacabre]

For some years, researchers had noted a peculiar epitaph for one William D'Eyncourt, preserved in Lincoln cathedral records, attesting that the aforesaid William was regia styrpe progenitus (of royal stock) and was raised in the court of King William II Rufus

Comments

[hollie_history]

Hi,

Great blog! I'm working on a research project about Gunhilda and I was just googleing her for the thousandth time and came across your blog.

How do you know that Alain attacked Wilton and abducted Gunhilda? Do you know which primary sources describe this?

thanks : )

[hollie_history]

I don't know of any source that claims that Alan "attacked" Wilton, and no contemporary source says he "abducted" her.

Anselm acknowledged that Alan and Gunhilda loved each other, which is mysterious in itself as Alan was one of the architects of her father Harold's defeat at Hasting.

The Gospatric who had been Earl of Northumbria, but was deposed by William I in 1070 and fled to Malcolm III's Scotland, had a son named Gospatric and another son named Waltheof of Allerdale whose wife, named Sigrid, is said to have been born about 1075 and died about 1126.

This Waltheof and Sigrid had at least 5 children; one son was Waltheof's heir Alan of Allerdale (hmm? Which Alan could they have named him after?) and a daughter they named GunhildLet that sink in. It looks like at least one parent was fond of both Alan Rufus and Gunhild. But why? Was Sigrid another daughter of Alan's and Gunhild's

[hollie_history]

Very interesting response. It would be nice to think of Alan Rufus and Gunhilda's love as becoming somewhat legendary at the time, but I suppose like most things in this period there is no evidence to enlighten us on their relationship, other than the two letters written by Anselm.

I asked about the reference to the 'attack on Wilton' and the 'abduction' / 'savouir' of Gunhilda in the original blog because having read the letters in Latin there is no mention of this. In fact, I agree with the anon commentator in that at least in Anselm's view Gunhilda acted out of love. This love caused great annoyance and concern from Anselm because to him, she turned her back on god for the pleasures of the carnal...absolute no no in Anselm's book. However, haven't quite made my mind up on Alan or Gunhilda's motives for their actions so I found the mention of their possible children very interesting so thank you for the reply.

[transemacabre]

Very intriguing about Sigrid, wife of Waltheof of Allerdale! Those names do stand out, don't they? And Sigrid would be an appropriate name for a granddaughter of King Harold (who's own mother was a Dane).

Anselm acknowledged that Alan and Gunhilda loved each other, which is mysterious in itself as Alan was one of the architects of her father Harold's defeat at Hasting.

I have a feeling there's a whole epic story here and we are only scratching the surface of it.

[ext_2491272]

Orderic Vitalis, in Book 5, Chapter 9 of his "Ecclesiastical History of Normandy and England" wrote concerning Alan and his brothers:

"God also gave [Eudes of Brittany] seven sons, who became remarkable for the singular and changeable events of their lives.
The studious might compose a long and pleasing history, from true accounts of their various fortunes."