William I of Normandy

Also known as Guillaume “Longue Épée”. William would have been his baptismal name, replacing a Viking name.

Leader of the Normans.

Events

Date of Birth: unknown.

Place of Birth: “overseas”.

The place is given by Baldwin. Crouch (p. 8) notes that William is said to have been born to a father dwelling in heathen lands, presumably in Scandanavia.

Date of Death: probably 16 December 942.

Place of Death: Picquigny-sur-Somme.

The date is given by Peter Stewart in a post to soc.genealogy.medieval. The place is given by Baldwin, who gives the date as probably 17 December. Guillaume was assassinated.

Relationships

Father: Rollo.

This relationship is given by pére Anselme (2:463), by Crouch, and by Baldwin.

Mother: “Poppa”.

This relationship is given by pére Anselme (2:463) and by Baldwin.

Spouse: Sprota.

This relationship is given by pére Anselme (2:464) and by Baldwin.

Spouse: Liutgard (died 985), daughter of Heribert II, count of Vermandois.

This relationship is given by pére Anselme (2:464) and by Baldwin.

Children (by Sprota):

Richard I of Normandy (died 21 November 996) married (1) Emma, daughter of Hugues le Grand; married (2) Gunnor.

References

Anselme de Sainte-Marie. Histoire Généalogique et Chronologique de la Maison Royale de France, des Pairs, Grands Officiers de la Couronne, de la Maison du Roy et des Anciens Barons du Royaume. 9 Volumes (Paris: 1726-1733).

Baldwin, Stewart. “Guillaume "Longue Épée" of Normandy” in The Henry Project.

Crouch, David. Normans: The History of a Dynasty. (Hambledon, 2002).

Tanner, Heather J. Families, Friends, and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England c. 879 - 1160. (Brill: 2004).