Eustace II “aux Gernons” de Boulogne, comte de Boulogne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustace_II,_Count_of_Boulogne

Eustace II, (c. 1015-1020 – c. 1087) [1][2] was count of Boulogne from 1049-1087, fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings, and afterwards received a large honour in England.

He is one of the few proven companions (Only 15 confirmed) of William the Conqueror. It has been suggested that Eustace was the patron of the Bayeux Tapestry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companions_of_William_the_Conqueror

He was the son of Eustace I. His first wife was Goda, daughter of the English king Æthelred the Unready, and sister of Edward the Confessor. Goda died circa 1047[4], and he quickly married again (about 1049). From his second marriage with Ida of Lorraine (daughter of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine), Eustace had three sons, Eustace III, the next count of Boulogne, and Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin, both later monarchs of Jerusalem.

Note: His son Geoffrey is from a second short marriage that ended in divorce.

-https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORTHERN%20FRANCE.htm#EustacheIIB

EUSTACHE [II] "Gernobadatus" de Boulogne, son of EUSTACHE [I] Comte de Boulogne & his wife Mathilde de Louvain ([1015/20]-[soon after 1070/1087]). The Genealogica comitum Buloniensium records that "Eustachium et Lantbertum" were sons of "comes Eustachius de Bolonia" and his wife Mathilde[724]. His birth date range is estimated from the date of his first marriage, and bearing in mind the estimated birth date range of his mother. He succeeded his father in [1049] as Comte de Boulogne. Simeon of Durham records that "Eustace the elder earl of Boulogne who had married king Eadward's sister Goda" landed at Dover in Sep 1051[725]. When returning from visiting Edward "the Confessor" King of England in 1051, he was involved in an affray at Canterbury during which one of his men was killed. The refusal of Godwin Earl of Wessex to punish the offenders led to the Earl's temporary banishment from England[726]. Comte de Lens 1054. "Eustatii comitis" witnessed a charter of "Balduinus Flandrensium comes" dated 6 Jan 1056[727]. Orderic Vitalis records that “Eustachium comitem” was seriously wounded during the battle of Hastings but escaped “quasi moribundus”[728]. He was awarded a large fief "the honour of Boulogne"[729], but soon quarrelled with William I King of England. He launched an attack on England in 1067, but withdrew after landing. His English lands were confiscated, but later restored. Boulogne's strategic importance grew as it became the main port for importing English wool for the Flemish cloth trade.

m firstly ([1036]%29 as her second husband, GODGIFU [Goda] of England, widow of DREUX [Drogo] Comte de Mantes et du Vexin, daughter of ÆTHELRED II King of England & his second wife Emma de Normandie (-before 1049). Her parentage is recorded by Orderic Vitalis, who says that she went into exile in Normandy with her brother[730], which can be dated from other sources to 1013. Her first marriage was arranged by Robert II Duke of Normandy[731], indicating that she probably did not return to England. Her second marriage is referred to by Florence of Worcester[732]. Simeon of Durham records that "Eustace the elder earl of Boulogne who had married king Eadward's sister Goda" landed at Dover in Sep 1051[733].

m secondly IDA of Lotharingia, daughter of GODEFROI Duke of Upper Lorraine Comte de Verdun & his first wife Doda [de Rethel] ([1038/43][734]-13 Aug 1113). Her marriage is recorded by Orderic Vitalis, who specifies that she was the sister of "Godfrey Duke of Lotharingia" and names her three sons[735]. The Vita B. Idæ Boloniensis Comitissæ records that she was the daughter of "pater…Godefridus, mater…Doda"[736]. She made a donation to Saint-Bertin for the soul of "Eustachii domini mei comitis" with her sons "Godefridi et Balduini"[737]. The Lamberti Audomariensis Chronica records the death "Id Apr 1113" of "Ida comitissa Boloniæ"[738].

Come Eustache [II] & his second wife had [four] children:

• 1. EUSTACHE [III] de Boulogne (-1125 or after).
• 2. GODEFROI de Boulogne ([1060]-in Palestine 18 Jul 1100, bur Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre).
• 3. BAUDOUIN de Boulogne ([1063/68]-Al-Arish 2 Apr 1118, bur Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre).
• 4. [IDA . Europäische Stammtafeln[520] shows Ida, wife [firstly] of Hermann [von Malsen] and [secondly of Conon de Montaigu], as a possible daughter of Comte Eustache II & his wife Ida.

Comte Eustache II had three [illegitimate] children by unknown mistresses:

• 5. GUILLAUME. Murray[522] quotes a 14th century version of the Genealogica comitum Boloniensium which says that Eustache [II] Comte de Boulogne had four sons (in order) Guillaume, Godefroi, Baudouin and Eustache. If this is correct, it is surprising that earlier versions of the Genealogica, written nearer the time, would have ignored Guillaume. If the Guillaume in question had been an illegitimate son, it is also surprising that the source fails to name the other illegitimate sons, especially the more well-known Geoffrey.
• 6. GEOFFROY (-after 1100). His parentage is confirmed by an undated charter under which his grandson “Faramus filius Willielmi Boloniæ” confirmed donations to Okeburn Priory, Wiltshire by “Gaufridus filius comitis Eustacii de Bolonia avus meus, et Willielmus de Bolonia filius ipsius pater meus”[523]. - see below.
• 7. HUGUES. The primary source which confirms his parentage has not been identified.

  ---

Eustace II, (c. 1015-1020 – 1087) was count of Boulogne from 1049-1093, fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings, and afterwards received a large honour in England.

He was the son of Eustace I. His first wife was Goda, daughter of the English king Æthelred the Unready, and sister of Edward the Confessor. Goda died in 1055, before the Norman Conquest of her homeland, in which her husband participated. From his second marriage with Ida of Lorraine (daughter of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine), Eustace had three sons, Eustace III, the next count of Boulogne, and Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin, both later monarchs of Jerusalem.

In 1048 Eustace joined his father-in-law's rebellion against the Emperor Henry III. The next year Eustace was excommunicated by Pope Leo IX for marrying within the prohibited degree of kinship. It's likely the pope's action was at the behest of Henry III. The rebellion failed, and in 1049 Eustance and Godfrey submitted to Henry III.

Eustace paid a visit to England in 1051, and was honourably received at the Confessor's court. Edward and Eustace were former brothers-in-law and remained allied politically. On the other hand the dominant figure in England, Earl Godwin, had recently married his son Tostig to the daughter of Eustace's rival the count of Flanders. Furthermore Godwin's son Sweyn had been feuding with Eustace's stepson Ralph the Timid.

A brawl in which Eustace and his servants became involved with the citizens of Dover led to a serious quarrel between the king and Godwin. The latter, to whose jurisdiction the men of Dover were subject, refused to punish them. His lack of respect to those in authority was made the excuse for outlawing himself and his family. They left England, but returned the next year (1052) with a large army, aided by the Flemish.

In 1052 William of Talou rebelled against his nephew William of Normandy. Eustace may well have been involved in this rebellion, although there is no specific evidence, for after William of Talou's surrender he fled to the Boulonnais court.

The following years saw still further advances by Eustace's rivals and enemies. Count Baldwin of Flanders consolidated his hold over territories he had annexed to the east. In 1060 he became regent of France during the minority of his nephew Philip I of France. In contrast Eustace's stepson Walter of Mantes failed in his attempt to claim the County of Maine. He was captured by the Normans and died soon afterwards in mysterious circumstances.

These events evidently caused a shift in Eustace political allegiances, for he then became an important participant in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He fought at Hastings, although sources vary regarding the details of his conduct during the battle. Eustace received large land grants afterwards, which suggests he contributed in other ways as well, perhaps by providing ships.

In the following year, probably because he was dissatisfied with his share of the spoil, he assisted the Kentishmen in an attempt to seize Dover Castle. The conspiracy failed, and Eustace was sentenced to forfeit his English fiefs.

Subsequently he was reconciled to the Conqueror, who restored a portion of the confiscated lands.

Eustace died in 1093, and was succeeded by his son, Eustace III.

It has been suggested that Eustace was the patron of the Bayeux Tapestry.

He was the son of Eustace I. His first wife was Goda, daughter of the English king Æthelred the Unready, and sister of Edward the Confessor. Goda died in 1055, before the Norman Conquest of her homeland, in which her husband participated. From his second marriage with Ida of Lorraine (daughter of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine), Eustace had three sons, Eustace III, the next count of Boulogne, and Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin, both later monarchs of Jerusalem.

In 1048 Eustace joined his father-in-law's rebellion against the Emperor Henry III. The next year Eustace was excommunicated by Pope Leo IX for marrying within the prohibited degree of kinship. It's likely the pope's action was at the behest of Henry III. The rebellion failed, and in 1049 Eustance and Godfrey submitted to Henry III.

Eustace paid a visit to England in 1051, and was honourably received at the Confessor's court. Edward and Eustace were former brothers-in-law and remained allied politically. On the other hand the dominant figure in England, Earl Godwin, had recently married his son Tostig to the daughter of Eustace's rival the count of Flanders. Furthermore Godwin's son Sweyn had been feuding with Eustace's stepson Ralph the Timid.

A brawl in which Eustace and his servants became involved with the citizens of Dover led to a serious quarrel between the king and Godwin. The latter, to whose jurisdiction the men of Dover were subject, refused to punish them. His lack of respect to those in authority was made the excuse for outlawing himself and his family. They left England, but returned the next year (1052) with a large army, aided by the Flemish.

In 1052 William of Talou rebelled against his nephew William of Normandy. Eustace may well have been involved in this rebellion, although there is no specific evidence, for after William of Talou's surrender he fled to the Boulonnais court.

The following years saw still further advances by Eustace's rivals and enemies. Count Baldwin of Flanders consolidated his hold over territories he had annexed to the east. In 1060 he became regent of France during the minority of his nephew Philip I of France. In contrast Eustace's stepson Walter of Mantes failed in his attempt to claim the County of Maine. He was captured by the Normans and died soon afterwards in mysterious circumstances.

These events evidently caused a shift in Eustace political allegiances, for he then became an important participant in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He fought at Hastings, although sources vary regarding the details of his conduct during the battle. Eustace received large land grants afterwards, which suggests he contributed in other ways as well, perhaps by providing ships.

In the following year, probably because he was dissatisfied with his share of the spoil, he assisted the Kentishmen in an attempt to seize Dover Castle. The conspiracy failed, and Eustace was sentenced to forfeit his English fiefs.

Subsequently he was reconciled to the Conqueror, who restored a portion of the confiscated lands.

Eustace died in 1093, and was succeeded by his son, Eustace III.

It has been suggested that Eustace was the patron of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Eustace II, (c. 1015-1020 – c. 1087) [1][2] was count of Boulogne from 1049-1087, fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings, and afterwards received a large honour in England. He is one of the few proven Companions of William the Conqueror.

He was the son of Eustace I. His first wife was Goda, daughter of the English king Æthelred the Unready, and sister of Edward the Confessor.[3] Goda died circa 1047[4], and he quickly married again (about 1049[4]). From his second marriage with Ida of Lorraine (daughter of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine), Eustace had three sons, Eustace III, the next count of Boulogne, and Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin, both later monarchs of Jerusalem.

In 1048 Eustace joined his father-in-law's rebellion against the Emperor Henry III. The next year Eustace was excommunicated by Pope Leo IX for marrying within the prohibited degree of kinship[5]. It's likely the pope's action was at the behest of Henry III. The rebellion failed, and in 1049 Eustace and Godfrey submitted to Henry III.

Eustace paid a visit to England in 1051, and was honourably received at the Confessor's court. Edward and Eustace were former brothers-in-law and remained allied politically. On the other hand the dominant figure in England, Earl Godwin, had recently married his son Tostig to the daughter of Eustace's rival the count of Flanders. Furthermore Godwin's son Sweyn had been feuding with Eustace's stepson Ralph the Timid.

A brawl in which Eustace and his servants became involved with the citizens of Dover led to a serious quarrel between the king and Godwin. The latter, to whose jurisdiction the men of Dover were subject, refused to punish them. His lack of respect to those in authority was made the excuse for outlawing himself and his family. They left England, but returned the next year (1052) with a large army, aided by the Flemish.

In 1052 William of Talou rebelled against his nephew William of Normandy. Eustace may well have been involved in this rebellion, although there is no specific evidence, for after William of Talou's surrender he fled to the Boulonnais court.

The following years saw still further advances by Eustace's rivals and enemies. Count Baldwin of Flanders consolidated his hold over territories he had annexed to the east. In 1060 he became tutor of his nephew Philip I of France. In contrast Eustace's stepson Walter of Mantes failed in his attempt to claim the County of Maine. He was captured by the Normans and died soon afterwards in mysterious circumstances.

These events evidently caused a shift in Eustace's political allegiances, for he then became an important participant in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He fought at Hastings, although sources vary regarding the details of his conduct during the battle. Sources suggest that Eustace was present, with William the Bastard at the Malfosse incident in the immediate aftermath of the battle, where a Saxon, feigning death leapt up and attacked him, and was presumably cut down before he could reach William.

Eustace received large land grants afterwards, which suggests he contributed in other ways as well, perhaps by providing ships.

In the following year, probably because he was dissatisfied with his share of the spoil, he assisted the Kentishmen in an attempt to seize Dover Castle. The conspiracy failed, and Eustace was sentenced to forfeit his English fiefs.

Subsequently he was reconciled to the Conqueror, who restored a portion of the confiscated lands.

Eustace died circa 1087, and was succeeded by his son, Eustace III.

It has been suggested that Eustace was the patron of the Bayeux Tapestry.[6]

Eustace has been portrayed on screen by Leslie Bradley in the film Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) and by Joby Blanshard in the two-part BBC TV play Conquest (1966), part of the series Theatre 625.

Has a wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustace_II,_Count_of_Boulogne

Eustace II, (c. 1015-1020 – c. 1087) was count of Boulogne from 1049-1087, fought on the Norman side at the Battle of Hastings, and afterwards received a large honour in England. He is one of the few proven Companions of William the Conqueror.

He was the son of Eustace I. His first wife was Goda, daughter of the English king Æthelred the Unready, and sister of Edward the Confessor. Goda died circa 1047, and he quickly married again (about 1049). From his second marriage with Ida of Lorraine (daughter of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine), Eustace had three sons, Eustace III, the next count of Boulogne, and Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin, both later monarchs of Jerusalem.

In 1048 Eustace joined his father-in-law's rebellion against the Emperor Henry III. The next year Eustace was excommunicated by Pope Leo IX for marrying within the prohibited degree of kinship. It's likely the pope's action was at the behest of Henry III. The rebellion failed, and in 1049 Eustace and Godfrey submitted to Henry III.

Eustace paid a visit to England in 1051, and was honourably received at the Confessor's court. Edward and Eustace were former brothers-in-law and remained allied politically. On the other hand the dominant figure in England, Earl Godwin, had recently married his son Tostig to the daughter of Eustace's rival the count of Flanders. Furthermore Godwin's son Sweyn had been feuding with Eustace's stepson Ralph the Timid.

A brawl in which Eustace and his servants became involved with the citizens of Dover led to a serious quarrel between the king and Godwin. The latter, to whose jurisdiction the men of Dover were subject, refused to punish them. His lack of respect to those in authority was made the excuse for outlawing himself and his family. They left England, but returned the next year (1052) with a large army, aided by the Flemish.

In 1052 William of Talou rebelled against his nephew William of Normandy. Eustace may well have been involved in this rebellion, although there is no specific evidence, for after William of Talou's surrender he fled to the Boulonnais court.

The following years saw still further advances by Eustace's rivals and enemies. Count Baldwin of Flanders consolidated his hold over territories he had annexed to the east. In 1060 he became tutor of his nephew Philip I of France. In contrast Eustace's stepson Walter of Mantes failed in his attempt to claim the County of Maine. He was captured by the Normans and died soon afterwards in mysterious circumstances.

These events evidently caused a shift in Eustace's political allegiances, for he then became an important participant in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He fought at Hastings, although sources vary regarding the details of his conduct during the battle. Sources suggest that Eustace was present, with William the Bastard at the Malfosse incident in the immediate aftermath of the battle, where a Saxon, feigning death leapt up and attacked him, and was presumably cut down before he could reach William.

Eustace received large land grants afterwards, which suggests he contributed in other ways as well, perhaps by providing ships.

In the following year, probably because he was dissatisfied with his share of the spoil, he assisted the Kentishmen in an attempt to seize Dover Castle. The conspiracy failed, and Eustace was sentenced to forfeit his English fiefs.

Subsequently he was reconciled to the Conqueror, who restored a portion of the confiscated lands.

Eustace died circa 1087, and was succeeded by his son, Eustace III.

It has been suggested that Eustace was the patron of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Eustace has been portrayed on screen by Leslie Bradley in the film Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) and by Joby Blanshard in the two-part BBC TV play Conquest (1966), part of the series Theatre 625.