Gunnora

Gunnora (or Gunnor) (–), "Duchess" of Normandy, was the wife of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. She was an important figure in his reign and those of her sons.

 Career 

Gunnora belonged to a family from the Pays de Caux area in Normandy.Francois Neveux, A Brief History of the Normans (London: Constable and Robinson, Ltd., 2008), p. 73 Gunnora was probably born .Elisabeth Van Houts, The Normans in Europe (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2008), p. 40 n.56 Her family was very influential in western Normandy and Gunnora was said to be very wealthy.David Crouch, The Normans; the History of a Dynasty (London, New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 26 Her marriage to Richard I was of great political importance.K.S.B. Keats-Rohan, 'Poppa of Bayeux and Her Family', The American Genealogist, Poppa of Bayeux and Her Family, Vol. 74, No. 2 (July/October 1997), pp. 203-04 It allied him with a powerful rival family in the Cotentin.David Crouch, The Normans; the History of a Dynasty (London; New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), pp. 26 & 42 Her brother, Herfast de Crepon, was the progenitor of a great Norman family. Her sisters and nieces married some of the most important nobles in Normandy.David Crouch, The Normans; the History of a Dynasty (London, New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), pp. 26-27 	

At the time the Normans were used to more than one kind of marriage. Richard I wanted his son Robert to become the Archbishop of Rouen.Elisabeth Van Houts, The Normans in Europe (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2008), p. 96 He was told the church would not allow it because he and Gunnora were not married in a Christian ceremony. So he married Gunnora "according to the Christian custom", making their children legitimate in the eyes of the church.

Gunnora signed many ducal charters up into the 1020s. She was skilled in languages and had an excellent memory.Elisabeth Van Houts, The Normans in Europe (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2008), p. 59 She was a source of information on Norman history for Dudo of St. Quentin.Elisabeth M. C. Van Houts, Memory and Gender in Medieval Europe: 900–1200 (Toronto; Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, 1999), p. 72 Her husband depended on her as is shown in the couple's charters where she held several important positions. She was at times regent of Normandy, a mediator and a judge. In a typical roll for a medieval aristocratic mother, she was an arbitrator between her husband and their oldest son Richard II. As Richard I's widow she is mentioned as being active in her sons' careers.

Gunnora was a founder and supporter of Coutances Cathedral and laid its first stone.Elisabeth Van Houts, The Normans in Europe (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2008), pp. 22, 40 n. 56 In one of her own charters after Richard's death she gave two pieces of land (called allods) to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. These were Britavilla and Domjean which were part of her dowry. She gave them for the soul of her husband,  for her own soul and that of her sons "count Richard, archbishop Robert, and others..."Calendar of Documents Preserved in France, ed. J. Horace Round (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1899), p. 250 She also signed a charter, , to that same abbey as Gonnor matris comitis (Gunnor, mother of the count).Calendar of Documents Preserved in France, ed. J. Horace Round (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1899), p. 249 Gunnora, as wife and countess, was able to use her influence to see her kin favored, and several of the most prominent Anglo-Norman families on both sides of the English Channel are descended from her, her sisters and her nieces. Gunnora died .

Family

Richard and Gunnora were parents to several children:

 Richard II "the Good", Duke of NormandyDetlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany:  J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 79 
 Robert II, Archbishop of Rouen, Count of Évreux
 Mauger, Earl of Corbeil
 Emma of Normandy, wife of two kings of England
 Maud of Normandy, wife of Odo II, Count of Blois, Champagne and Chartres
 Hawise of Normandy married Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany
 Papia of Normandy
 William, Count of Eu

Notes

References

Category:950s births
Category:1030s deaths
Category:Dukes and duchesses of Normandy