Samuel, Duke of Normandy

Samuel, Duke of Normandy, Count of Mortain and Earl of Cornwall (Born 1057-1115) was the son of Francis, Count of Mortain and cousin of Henry I of England. He inherited his fathers lands and titles upon his fathers death in 1080.

Early Life
Samuel was born in Mortain in 1057, son of Francis, Count of Mortain and Matilda de Montgomery. He was raised at Mortain Castle. By the age of 23, he became Count of Mortain and Duke of Cornwall after the death of his father. His lands in England and Normandy made him a high ranking Norman Noble. In 1081 he married Eleanor of Brittany, daughter of Hawise, Duchess of Brittany and Hoel of Cornwall.

Later Life
After the death of William the Conqueror in 1087, the throne of England and Normandy was disputed between his sons, Robert, William and Henry. William inherited England and Robert inherited Normandy. The three brothers fought each other on and off for the next 13 years. During this time Samuel remained neutral, in order to protect his interests in England and Normandy, but formed a close friendship with Henry. Much of Henry's war effort during this period was heavily financed, in secret by Samuel.

Upon the death of King William Rufus in 1100, Henry was supported in his claim to the throne by Samuel, Henry de Beaumont and Robert of Meulan. Samuel supported King Henry I during the Conquest of Normandy (1103-1106) and was a prominent figure at the Battle of Tinchebray.

Henry I was victorious at the Battle of Tinchebray, defeating his brother Robert and claiming the lands of Normandy as possession of the English crown. Henry returned to England and proclaimed Samuel, Duke of Normandy, leaving him to rule in his name.

Between 1111 and 1113 rebellions broke out in France and Anjou and King Henry supported his nephew, Count Theobold of Blois, who had sided against King Louis of France in the uprising. Samuel led a Norman army winning a number of notable victories.

In 1115 war once again broke out between Normandy and France, with King Henry supporting the claim to the Norman throne for Theobald of Blois and King Louis of France supporting William Clito. Minor skirmishes were fought along the Norman-French border and Samuel was killed at the Battle of Avranches when he was struck down by an arrow.

Issue

 * Hugh (Born 1085)
 * William (Born 1089)
 * Adeline (Born 1094)