William, Duke of Candia

William, Duke of Candia born 1186, died 1255 was the second son of Edward I, King of Normandy and Constance of Penthièvre, Duchess of Brittany. On the death of his father, his brother, Samuel II, King of Normandy took the throne. In 1204 Edward acquired the eastern half of Crete from Boniface of Montferrat and created the Duchy of Eastern Candia and William made Duke of Candia. The Venetians purchased Western Candia and Prince William formed a strong alliance with the Venetians.

During his brothers reign, William fought alongside his brothers in the Conquest of Majorca and later in the Sixth Crusade, where William led his army in two great victories at the Battle of Alexandria and the Battle of Damietta.

In 1214, William married Isabella Tiepolo, the sister of Jacopo Tiepolo, the Venetian Duke of West Candia and later Venetian Dodge.

William improved on the ditch of the city of Candia (Heraklion) by building enormous fortifications, most of which are still in place, including a giant wall, in places up to 40 m thick, with 7 bastions, and a fortress in the harbour. Chandax was renamed Candia and became the seat of the Duke of Candia, and the Norman administrative district became known as High Candia. William spent a huge sum of money building the Palace of Penthièvre, named in honour of his mother, in the city of Candia.

William proved to be a great ruler of Eastern Candia. He gave away a large number of titles to friends and allies, creating Earldoms across the island. He also invited a number of Venetian and Greek nobles to become landowners in his Duchy, which helped keep his relations with the locals and Venetian Western Candia on good terms.

During his reign in Candia he encountered a number of minor Orthodox revolts, who at times, grew disenchanted with there Catholic ruler. Further to this, Candia suffered a number of attacks from Muslim armies.

Issue
William had seven children by his wife, Isabella Tiepolo:


 * Ralph, born 1217, died 1268
 * Maria, born 1218, died 1273
 * Isabella born 1220, died 1251
 * Katerina born 1223, died 1292
 * Lucia, born 1226, died 1281
 * Jacob, born 1227, died 1286
 * Edward, born 1227, died 1301