BBC - Odo Bishop of Bayeaux was the tyrannical Earl of Kent Odo Bishop of Bayeaux was the tyrannical Earl of Kent Bishop Odo feasting with the Normans before the battle Odo, Earl of Kent, is one of the least popular figures in Kent's history. The son of Herluin of Conteville and Herleva of Falaise, Odo was William of Normandy's half-brother. His exact date of birth is unknown, but was probably around 1035, meaning he was considerably underage when William made him Bishop of Bayeux in 1049. This was a political appointment if ever there was one, and an indication towards William's future habit of "keeping things in the family". The Conquest It is believed Odo commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry Odo was involved in the Norman invasion of England right from the start, as a trusted associate of William. He is said to have contributed 100 ships to the invasion fleet, and the Bayeux Tapestry, that most amazing monument to the Norman victory at Hastings in 1066, shows Odo active in battle.

In fact the Tapestry gives Odo a prominent role in the campaign - in one scene before the battle it shows William listening to Odo in council, implying Odo was the architect of the invasion. Whilst this representation is undoubtedly an exaggeration - probably due to the fact that it was Odo himself who commissioned the tapestry - nevertheless, he was certainly an important figure in the conquest. Success at the Battle of Hastings and the death of King Harold may have secured William the kingdom, but by no means were the English totally subdued - the spirit of resistance they displayed at Hastings was still very much alive, and the following years were ones of unrest and turmoil, for which Odo was partly responsible. To deal with this simmering resentment and secure his hold on the new kingdom, William placed his most loyal and trusted associates in strategic positions across the country. In fact, he tried to "keep things in the family" whenever possible, often relying on his relatives to rule in his name, as other Norman dukes and princely families had done before him. And this is how Odo arrived in Kent.

Securing the kingdom Dover Castle was the "lock and key of England" William reorganised his new kingdom, destroying some of the sprawling earldoms of his predecessor's day, but also creating several new ones, like Kent, so that the country was surrounded by a series of protective strongholds. Then, as now, the Kent coastline was vitally important in terms of security, and so William made the loyal Odo Earl of Kent, and gave him custody of Dover castle - the "lock and key" of England. Odo became a huge landowner in Kent, holding 184 lordships in the county. He also held manors in 12 other counties, which gave him £3,000 a year, and the Domesday Book shows him to be the richest tenant-in-chief in the kingdom by far. "Destitute of virtue" Odo was an infamous figure in 11th Century England: "ambitious", "rapacious", "greedy", "ruthless", "arrogant", "tyrannical" and "destitute of virtue" are just some of the words that have been used to describe him.

He was certainly not the most popular of rulers, either in Kent or elsewhere, and was almost universally portrayed in a negative light by contemporary chroniclers. Orderic Vitalis, a chronicler monk, creates an unattractive image of Odo as a regent who abused his responsibilities, oppressing the poor and unfairly seizing England's wealth and land. Odo destroyed and plundered the landowners of Kent, amassing a huge fortune in both land and gold. He forcibly seized lands for his friends and family - one chronicler called him a "ravening wolf", and the Domesday Book, argues historian David Bates, reveals "numerous instances of apparently unjust acquisitions". In Dover, Odo confiscated homes and even the Old Guildhall for his household, and he allowed one of his tenants to build a mill at the harbour entrance in Dover, which had a devastating impact on shipping. Making enemies in Kent Odo quarrelled with the Archbishop of Canterbury Odo's tyrannical behaviour made him many enemies in Kent, and it was only a matter of months before his severity drove the county into open revolt in 1067.

This revolt, the first major rising under the Normans, was focused around Dover, the centre of Odo's oppressions. The Kentish rebels appealed to Eustace of Boulogne for help, and together they launched a failed attempt on Dover castle. Eustace had been involved in a quarrel with the citizens of Dover on a previous occasion, and so the rebels' appeal to him suggests just how desperate they were to be liberated from Odo. Odo's position as Earl of Kent brought him - almost inevitably - into conflict with the Archbishop of Canterbury, another strong landholder in the area. The Archbishop Lanfranc resented Odo's encroachments upon his "patch", and this personal feud eventually made its way into the law courts, with the two men vying for control of Kentish land at trials like that of Penenden Heath, which lasted for three days. The feud even led to bloodshed, and the Earl Waltheof, a client of Lanfranc, was beheaded by a group of men led by Odo. Though this dispute had roots in controversies which predated the Norman invasion, it is still symptomatic of Odo's character, and desire to eradicate competing authorities within his Earldom of Kent.

Odo certainly seems to have had a great desire for power. His main powerbase was in Kent, but as Count Palatine he possessed power over all other earls and magnates in England. He was one of William's most trusted deputies, and in the king's absence acted as regent, alongside William fitz Obern until 1071 and later alone. Odo seems to have carried out his tasks with relish, creating resentment across the country. Orderic Vitalis said that Odo and fitz Obern "oppressed all the inhabitants of high and lower degree" and "heaped shameful burdens upon them". Power-hungry Odo left Rochester to jeers from his Kentish subjects Not even satisfied with this authority, however, in 1082 Odo made a bid to purchase the papacy, causing a split with William, who arrested his half-brother himself. Odo was tried and imprisoned for sedition, and only released following William's death. But a leopard never changes its spots, and Odo was soon causing trouble again, leading a revolt against the new King - William Rufus. Again Kent suffered at Odo's hands, as the revolt was played out on Kentish soil.

Odo and his supporters ravaged the royal possessions in the county, as well as those of Lanfranc, but Rufus soon crushed the rebellion, which ended with siege of Rochester Castle, and Odo was exiled from England for good. Effective but unpopular There was no other Earl of Kent after Odo: despite his tyrannical behaviour and the unrest he created, Odo had served his purpose, securing the county and defending the coast while the Norman kingdom was still vulnerable in its infancy. Odo's final split with William should not disguise the fact that he was almost indispensable to his half-brother's government. And yet, in Kent, Odo's ruthlessness and arrogance won him only enemies. The legend of his final surrender at Rochester is perhaps the most fitting testimony to his unpopularity in Kent. As he left Rochester castle the jeers of his English subjects demanded the hangman's noose - Odo's harsh rule had left a bitter taste amongst the men of Kent.

Bookmark with: Odo of Bayeux, First Chief Justice of England (1038-1096) Share This Page Odo of Bayeux, First Chief Justice of England (1038-1096) First chief justice of England was no officer of the law. He was, though, a great soldier and a master political intriguer. Younger step-brother to William the Conqueror, Odo was thought to have been born in Normandy, France in about 1037 or 1038. He chose the priesthood at an early age but was evidently, much inclined towards military endeavours. He learned both his Roman law and canon law as all young French priests were want to do in that era. In 1049, his step-brother had started his consolidation of power over Normandy. Along the way, he made the wise move of granting to his teenage half-brother, Odo, the bishopric of Bayeux. Indeed, even today, Odo is best known as Odo of Bayeux, or Odo, Bishop of Bayeux.

Priest though he may be, he was also a formidable soldier and possessed a keen military mind, which helped his brother complete the conquest of Normandy. When the English king Edward the Confessor died in January of 1066, without a clear heir, William turned his interests to across the English Channel. Odo preached the virtues of the invasion from his pulpit at Bayeux and raised a private army to form part of the invading force. When the fleet landed at Pevensey in the South of England, Odo was one of the first to jump ashore. But there were no English soldiers to war with; they had retreated to make a stand elsewhere. At the Battle of Hastings, on October 14, 1066, the English King, Harold, was killed and William was The Conqueror. Odo was omnipresent throughout the battle, wearing an arrow-proof vest under his bishop's gown. In the famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting the victory, Odo is shown without a sword and holding only a staff, with the inscription in Latin: Hic Odo Epis. baculum tenens confortat ("Bishop Odo, bearing a staff, encourages the soldiers" - see adjacent image).

In another part of the Tapestry, Odo is shown sitting to William's right (see below). William decided to implement a strong central authority, anathema to the English. This required a central judicial authority. As he had in Normandy, he sought to appoint a chief justice for the new land, a justiciar or grand justiciar. This also gave a convenient appearance of legality to William's organization of a new government to a conquered people. The chief justice was an invaluable administrative tool in closing the wagons around a tight, new and very lucrative feudal land system William imposed on the English, all organized under regional landlords or, simply, Lords, and a higher caste of barons and earls. Thus began the office sometimes referred to as Curia Regis, sometimes referred to as Aula Regis: the Royal Court. In these medieval times, there was not always a discernible separation between church and state or church and judiciary. Few had legal training and the trust of William but his half-brother, the bishop Odo, who was named as first chief justice of the new realm.

Odo was also made a powerful land baron, granted the lucrative earldom of Kent, and he held the alternate title of the Earl of Kent. Odo's responsibilities were not just as a final appellate court. The chief justice was also first officer in charge of finances and public order. He also stood as William's agent when, as he often did, William left England to return to Normandy. The English historian Henry of Huntingdon, writing in the first century after the conquest, referred to Odo as: Odo Episcopus Baiocensis, Justiciarus et Princeps totius Angliae. Translation: Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, Justiciar and Chief of all England. But even Odo could not prevent a rebellion against the conqueror on the very first occasion of William's absence, in 1067. William had to return and put down the resistance. In Lord Campbell's ornate series of books on the chief justice of England, he reports locating but a single law report of a case heard and disposed of by Justice Odo. It involved Gundulph, the English Bishop of Rochester.

After the conquest, part of the bishopric was seized in the name of the Conqueror and Gundulph sued to have it returned to him, claiming that it belonged to St. Andrew. Odo summoned a jury of land-holders, called a freemote, and they found in favour of the Crown. There was another reported case at the time, involving Odo but not as judge, as defendant. This time, Odo was accused of taking Church land. The trial was presided over by Geoffrey of Counstance. The Court upheld the charge against the Chief Justice. The legacy of Odo was rich by any standard but not for this chief justice. As he suppressed rebellions, he kept much of the land of the rebels. Soon, his land holdings were immense and he held a personal fortune. As any good, medieval and rich bishop might be inclined to do, he began to aspire to the papacy. Houses and lands were bought up in Italy and Rome and he put together a fleet and was poised to sail to Rome to claim the Holy See when a small detail caught up to him. He had forgotten to run this by William who heard of it in the nick of time and rushed to the port of departure.

The King ordered his soldiers to arrest Odo but they cowered as the chief justice was decked in ecclesiastic robes. William himself stepped forward and arrested Odo uttering the famous words: "God forbid that I should touch the Bishop of Bayeux, but I make the Earl of Kent my prisoner." Odo was sent back to France where he was imprisoned at the Castle of Rouen for five years, until William died in September of 1087. Instantly, Odo threw himself into the intrigue of Royal succession and he backed the claim of Rufus. In 1087, Odo was returned to his former positions including Chief Justiciar but he was bitten by the bug of political conspiracy. Soon, he was in league with Geoffrey of Counstance and others in a proposed coup d'etat in favour of pretender to the throne Robert of Normandy. But Rufus recognized Odo as the ringleader and attacked him immediately. Odo's troops were overwhelmed and Odo ran into the castle of Paverny. After seven weeks, Odo surrendered and was once again, banished from England. He retreated to Bayeux under the protection of Robert.

In 1095, he was present at the famous Council of Clermont at which Pope Urban II proclaimed the First Crusade. Odo began the pilgrimage to the Holy Land where Robert eventually died during the siege of Antioch. Odo had decided to stop over at Palermo to visit his old friend, Roger, the Count of Sicily. There, he died in 1096 or 1097. REFERENCES: Campbell, J., The Lives of The Chief Justice of England (New York: Edward Thompson Co., 1894), pages 1-16 Foss, E., The Judges of England (London: LOngman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1848), pages 68-72 Tyerman, C., Who's Who in Early Medieval England, 1066-1272 (Lancaster: Stackpole Books, 2001).

Published: Friday, November 27, 2009 Last updated: Friday, May 11, 2012 Odo of Bayeux, Earl of Kent - Best of Sicily Magazine Jews There are certain historical figures, themselves footnotes to history rather than complete pages, who set foot in Sicily and made their small mark on the island's heritage only to be overlooked as inconsequential. One such personage is the colourful Odo of Bayeux, troublesome half-brother of William the Conqueror, England's first Norman king. Despite serious character flaws, for some years Odo (or Otto or Odon) was the most powerful man in England after the sovereign himself. His complex personality reflected that typically medieval paradox of the cleric as knight. Born around 1030, Odo shared with William the same mother, Herleva (Arlette), who had been the mistress of William's father, Duke Robert of Normandy. Odo's father was Herluin of Conteville.

William made his brother, then aged nineteen, Bishop of Bayeux in 1049; the Great Schism , a significant ecclesiastical event of the day, followed in 1054. In spite of his religious vocation, Odo assisted in the commissioning of ships for the invasion of Hastings, which took place in 1066 and changed the course of English history. In this endeavour he almost certainly had contact with knights who had been present at the Battle of Messina in 1061, the crossing of that Strait forming the tactical basis for a similar trip across the Channel. The Bayeux Tapestry - created under his episcopal authority - depicts him waving a mace (club) instead of a sword, perhaps because Church law forbade the fighting clergy (surely an oxymoron) to draw blood. Though this wartime practice made a mockery of the spirit of the law, it was as widespread during the Middle Ages as Chaucer's drunk monk. Following the success of the Conquest, William created Odo Earl of Kent in 1067. It was not an empty title.

Odo ended up with twenty-three counties, mostly in East Anglia and the southeast of England. For a time he was the largest landholder in the Kingdom after William, a fact which could not have endeared him to the country's Saxon aristocracy. He functioned as effective (if unofficial) regent of England when William was away in France, and on several occasions he led royal troops against rebels, most notably during the Revolt of the Earls in 1075. While this was the last serious armed insurrection against William's authority by the nobility, the monarch would soon have to confront his brother's avarice. In 1076 Odo was put on trial for having defrauded the King and the Church, and forced to return property and other assets. Then, in 1082, he was charged, convicted and imprisoned for having planned an independent military expedition to Italy, half of which was then in Norman hands. Little is known of Odo's motives except that they greatly disturbed William, who in view of past events already questioned his brother's integrity and loyalty.

It seems likely that he wanted to seize some Italian lands for himself, but some chroniclers have suggested that he sought to become Pope; perhaps he aspired to both. Another theory suggests that he intended to defend the Pope against the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV. Odo's younger brother (also William's half-brother) persuaded a reluctant William, on his deathbed, to release the bishop in 1087, while divesting him of the County of Kent and its feudal revenue. The ensuing intrigues between William's contentious sons found Odo in Normandy in fealty to the eldest, Robert "Curthose," Duke of Normandy. With his nephew Robert, Odo "took the cross" and embarked for the First Crusade , stopping at Palermo en route. Here he visited Count Roger , the Sicilian monarch (whose son, Roger II , would make Sicily a kingdom), and died in January or February of 1097. Robert never became King of England but he did make it to Palestine, and returning to Normandy through Italy following the Crusade he wed Sybilla, a grandniece of Count Roger.

Their son was the unlucky William Clito (1102-1128). It may be that the prospects of this marriage had already been discussed with Roger in Palermo in 1097 at Odo's suggestion. Odo is remembered - if at all - as being greedy, his great wealth accumulated partly through extortion and robbery, and by most accounts his vow of chastity was not taken terribly seriously. However, he was a patron of the arts and founded great abbeys, being something of an amateur but competent architect. He was interred in Palermo's Byzantine basilica but his tomb seems not to have been placed in the crypt of the Norman Cathedral of Palermo built during the following century. It is quite possible, however, that one of the large tombs there, now unmarked, was originally his. About the Author: Historian Luigi Mendola has written for various publications, including this one. William the Conqueror William the Conqueror Please visit the Sewell Genealogy Site Map for other pages. Click to return to William the Conqueror in the Dukes of Normandy page.

Childhood William was the son of Robert, the 6th Duke of Normandy and his girlfriend Herleva. Robert and Herleva were both between seventeen and twenty years of age when William was born in 1028, and they never did get married. Robert set off on a pilgrimmage to the Holy Land in the autumn of 1034 and he died in early July 1035 at Nicaea in Asia Minor, about 65 miles south east of present day Istanbul, Turkey. William was left a six (nearly seven) year old illegitimate child in a cruel mediï¿½val world. Fortunately for William, his father had named him heir to the Dukedom of Normandy prior to his ill advised pilgrimmage. William's guardians were: Robert, Count of ï¿½vreux and Archbishop of Rouen (died on March 16, 937), William's great uncle. Alan (III), Count of Brittany, William's father's cousin. Gilbert "Crispin", Count of Brionne, also William's father's cousin. Osbern, Steward or Dapifer of Normandy, William's great grandmother's nephew.

Turchetil (Turold), a respected official whose exact function in not understood and who may have been William's uncle, cousin or other relative. Walter, William's uncle (his mother's brother), who was never named as an official "tutor" but nonetheless saved William from assassins and murderers on several occasions. Things went in a fairly smooth manner until the death of William's Great Uncle Robert on March 16, 1037. The situation then deteriorated rapidly. In the autumn of 1040, Turchetil, Alan, Gilbert and Osbern were murdered in rapid succession. Osbern was murdered during an attempt on William's life that occurred right in his bedroom. William's Uncle Walter then took to sleeping in the company of the boy, and they were sometimes forced to flee for safety and hide in the cottage of a poor family. Most, if not all, youngsters fear that something will "get" them in the night. For William, this fear was a reality. He was only ten or twelve years of age, and this period of his life must have been a very traumatic experience.

Early Reign In 1046/47, Duke William's cousin Guy of Burgundy (son of William's Aunt Alice and Rainald, Count of Burgundy) tried to seize control of Normandy with the help of rebellious Norman lords, but Duke William defeated them with the assistance of King Henry (I) of France. William then extended his influence thoughout northern France and acheived a Flemish alliance with his marriage to Matilda, a daughter of Baldwin (V), Count of Flanders. Click on Matilda for her descent. Harold of Wessex, his falcon signifying peace, and William of Normandy, head shaved Norman fashion, meet in Ponthieu in 1064. Harold swore to support Duke William's claim to England. A merry meal at William's palace in Caen. Matilda of Flanders enjoys the entertainment provided by a juggler and jester from the ladies' gallery as the men feast on pork, mutton, fish, pheasant and bread. Paintings from Kenneth M. Setton (ed.): The Age of Chivalry, National Geographic Society, 1969, pages 95 and 99. The Succession Issue St.

Edward the Confessor, King of England, died without children on January 5, 1066. Many sources indicate that St. Edward was Duke William's uncle, but this is not so. Their common ancestor was Richard (I) "the Fearless", 3rd Duke of Normandy (933 - 996). St. Edward was Richard's grandson and William was Richard's great grandson; thus St. Edward and William were first cousins once removed. However, St. Edward had lived in exile in Normandy during the reign of King Canute, he was older than William, and he doubtless seemed sort of like an "uncle" to the young William. St. Edward had named William as his successor should either of them ever be able to claim the throne of England. When back on the throne, St. Edward married Eadgyth (Edith), a daughter of Godwine, Earl of Wessex. Godwin's son, Harold Godwineson, felt that as St. Edward's brother-in-law and as a person of Saxon-Danish ancestry that he should have the throne.

However, he had sworn to support Duke William's claim during a visit to Normandy in 1064. Despite his promise, Harold Godwineson arranged to have himself crowned King of England on January 6, the day after St. Edward's death. To further complicate the issue, King Harold Hardraada of Norway felt that he should be King of England due to his relationship with Sweyn Forkbeard and Canute. Another of Godwine's sons, Tostig Godwineson, supported him. There was only one thing for for William to do - - - invade England. William's half brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, at Hastings. He chose a mace for a weapon so he might shed less blood. (Kenneth M. Setton (ed.): The Age of Chivalry, National Geographic Society, 1969, page 123). 1066 and All That Stuff There has been lots written about the events of 1066, the Battle of Hastings, and all that stuff. For full details, try an encyclopï¿½dia or some of the links below.

Here is what happened in brief : Early September: Harold Hardraada, supported by Tostig, invaded northern England. September 25: Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold Godwineson defeated Hardraada and Tostig. September 28: Duke William landed at Pevensey. October 6: Harold Godwineson returned to London. October 14: Battle of Hastings. William defeated and killed Harold Godwineson. For details, try the following link: The Invasion of England, 1066, Who Was There? After nearly a thousand years, it is difficult to say with exact certainty who was present at the Battle of Hastings. Scholars of History seem able to agree on only about twenty-five or so persons as having been at Hastings for sure. However, it is widely accepted that between five thousand and twelve thousand persons accompanied Duke William, and almost all would have been at Hastings on October 14, 1066. A small number were likely left behind to guard other critical positions in England, and some highly trustworthy persons were left at various strongholds in Normandy.

Throughout these pages, I have identified various ancestors as having "accompanied William the Conqueror" or having been "present at the Battle of Hastings". In all cases, I have found this mentioned in some reliable source which is referred to on the page in question. Here are some sources that are easy to check: George Andrews Moriarty, The Companions of the Conqueror , reprinted below. The Battle Abbey Roll, The Falaise Roll, The Dives-sur-Mer List, I didn't realise when I started this project that this is a very contentious issue, especially among persons with an interest in family history who want to say with certainty: "My ancestor came with William the Conqueror". In our family, we are not overly concerned about this issue. We say: "My ancestor was William the Conqueror". The material on this page came from a variety of sources including: Norman F. Cantor (ed.): The Encyclopï¿½dia of the Middle Ages, New York, 1999. Kenneth M. Setton (ed.): The Age of Chivalry, National Geographic Society, 1969. David C.

Douglas: William the Conqueror, University of California, 1964. G. A. Moriarty: The Companions of the Conqueror, The American Genealogist, Oct. 1944. The Book of History (18 Volumes), London, 1914 Mediï¿½val History Guide, Click to return to the top of this page. TimeRef - Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines - Odo (Bishop of Bayeux) Odo (Bishop of Bayeux) Herleva Half-brother of the Conqueror orn in around 1035, Odo was the son of Herleva and Herluin de Conteville, brother of Robert, Count of Mortain. Odo's mother Herleva was the mother of William the Conqueror. Herleva married Herluin after the death of William's father Robert I (Duke of Normandy). Odo was to rule England for William after 1066 when William was in Normandy.

Odo was given the bishopric of Bayeux by his brother William, a political move, as Odo was below the required age of 30. In 1067 Odo became William's deputy in England, assisted by William Fitz Osbern, until Osbern's death in 1071. Odo also became the Earl of Kent and his wealth and land became considerable. Bayeux Tapestry Odo commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry which was first shown at the dedication of his new cathedral on July 14th, 1077. The Tapestry shows the three brothers, William, Odo and Robert before the battle of Hastings and Odo is talking while William is listening possibly showing Odo as the architect of the battle plans. Arrest Odo was imprisoned by William in 1083. Odo was planning to become the Pope. He had bought a palace in Rome and had bribed several Romans, recruiting many knights to fight his cause. William intervened as Odo prepared to leave England and brought Odo before a council. The council was slow to convict Odo and so William had Odo taken to Rouen and imprisoned there.

Odo was released on the death of William in 1087 and attended the funeral. Family Tree Details William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings. 1045 Marriage of Edward to Edith, daughter of Earl Godwine. 1046 Revolt of the viscomtes and Guy of Burgundy in Normandy 1049 William recaptures Brionne 1050 William re-enters Rouen 1050 Approximate date of a revolt by Earl Godwine against Edward the Confessor, William is promised succession to the throne. 1051-2 War between William and Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. 1051-2 William marries Matilda, daughter of Baldwin V of Flanders. 1052 Expulsion of many Normans from England, Earl Godwine and sons are returned lands lost due to rebellion. 1053 Earl Godwine dies. 1056 Robert, William's half-brother becomes Count of Mortain. 1057 King Henry of France and Count Geoffrey of Anjou join forces and invade Normandy.

1060 Magnus, son of Harold Hardraada, attacks England 1063 King Henry of France dies. Geoffrey of Anjou dies. 1064 Conquest of Maine by William. 1064 Harold Godwineson visits Normandy. 1066 5th Jan. Edward the Confessor dies. Norman mission to Rome to seek Papal support for the invasion of England. 6th June Coronation of Harold Godwineson. 8th Sept. Harold Godwineson disbands the army in southern England. September, William's fleet assembles in the Dives. September, Harold Hardraada invades northern England. 20th Sept. Battle of Fulford. 25th Sept. Battle of Stamford Bridge 28th Sept. William land at Pevensey. 29th Sept. William occupies Hastings. 6th Oct. Harold Godwineson reaches London. 14th Oct. Battle of Hastings. 21st Oct. Submission of Dover. 29th Oct. Submission of Canterbury. December, Coronation of William as King of England. 1067 March-December, William returns to Normandy.

1068 Summer, William enters York. 1069 Spring, York rebels but is retaken by William. 1069 Summer, Swein Estrithson, King of Denmark invades Yorkshire. Malcolm III, King of Scotland, supports a general uprising in the north of England. 1069 20th Sept. Rebels occupy York. William retakes York. 1070 Spring, William's occupation of Stafford and Chester. 1070 15th August, Lanfranc becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. 1070 Summer, King Malcolm ravages northern England. 1071 Summer, Capture of Bari and Palermo by Normans. 1071 Autumn, William invades Scotland; pact of Abernethy. 1073 William invades and reconquers Maine. 1075 English earls revolt. 1076 William defeated in campaign in Brittany. 1077 Pact with King Phillip. 1077 First revolt of Robert, William’s eldest son against his father. 1079 William defeated at Gerberoi. 1079 Devastation of northern England by King Malcolm.

1080 Robert is reconciled to his father. 1081 Robert invades Scotland. 1082 New revolt by Robert against his father. 1083 Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, is imprisoned. 1083 November 2nd Death of William’s wife Matilda. 1085 Cnut IV prepares to invade England. 1085 Domesday Book planned at a Christmas Court. 1086 Murder of Cnut IV. 1087 William crosses to Normandy. 1087 9th September, William the Conqueror dies at St. Gervais near Rouen. William The Conqueror’s Companions The Principal Knights who were rewarded with land grants: Odo, Bishop of Bayeux (half brother of William) He promised to provide 100 vessels of various sizes for the invasion fleet. He was rewarded with the Earldom of Kent, with 184 lordships of land.

In addition, he received 76 in Lincolnshire; 39 in Essex; 32 in Oxfordshire; 30 in Buckinghamshire; 23 in Herefordshire; 22 in Norfolk, and others in various counties; a total of 439. He was made Count Palatine with authority over all the earls and magnates in the land. As Justice of England he was second only to the king in administration of the law and the military. Robert, Comte de Mortain (half brother to William, and of Odo) He promised to contribute 120 vessels of various sizes for the invasion fleet. He was made Earl of Cornwall with 248 manors in the county, plus 196 in Yorkshire; 99 in Northumberland; 75 in Devon; 54 in Sussex; 49 in Dorset; 29 in Buckinghamshire, and 47 in other counties. He also received the borough of Pevensey. Eudes de Champagne Son of Etienne II Comte de Champagne and Brie. After the Conqueror’s death he married William’s sister Adeliza (or Adelaide).

He declared allegiance to the new king of England, William Rufus. Five years later he conspired with Robert de Mowbray, and others, to have his son, Stephen d’Aumale crowned king. The conspiracy failed and Eudes de Champagne was imprisoned for the rest of his life. Eudo Al Chapel The brother in law of Bishop Odo and Robert Comte de Mortain is thought to have been one of the Duke’s companions, and present in the battle. Drogo de Brevere He was rewarded with the Isle of Holderness where he built Skipsey Castle; he also received estates in various counties. By accident, or on purpose, he killed his wife and fled to the low countries; his estates were confiscated. William de Warren He was described as the Conqueror’s "loyal young vassel". He received 300 manors—nearly half in Norfolk, also the Castle of Mortemer. He stayed loyal to King William in the rebellion of 1074 and was rewarded with the Earldom of Surrey, and holdings in 13 counties. He married the daughter of William’s wife, Queen Matilda.

Humphrey de Bohun He was called "the old" or "with the beard", because the Norman practice was to be clean shaven. He is said to have been a near kinsman, by marriage, of King William. He received the lordship of Talesford in Norfolk. Henry de Ferrers Rewarded with the Castle of Tutbury. He also received 114 lordships in Derbyshire; 35 in Leicestershire; 20 in Berkshire; 7 in Staffordshire; 7 in Oxfordshire; 6 in Warwickshire and 21 in other counties. He was appointed on of the commissioners for the general survey of 1085. Geoffrey de Mandeville Rewarded with 118 lordships in various counties, of which, Walden in Essex became his family seat. He was created the first Constable of the Tower of London. His grandson, also called Geoffrey, was made Earl of Essex. Hugh de Grentmesnil He was one of the sons of Robert de Grentmesnil. He was described as "eminent for his skill and courage", and was among the principal combatants at Hastings.

He was appointed Viscount (Sheriff) of Leicestershire, Governor of Hampshire and received 100 manors; 65 of them in Leicestershire. Richard de Courci Son of Robert de Courci, who was a son of Baldric the Teuton (German). He "slew many English". Reward with the Barony of Stoke in Somerset and manors in Oxfordshire. A great friend of Hugh de Grentmesnil; some of their children became related in marriage. William Mallet He was rewarded with large grants of land in Yorkshire. In 1069 he was captured by Danish Vikings when they burnt the city of York and killed 3000 Normans.

Also believed to have been among the principal knights but whose rewards are uncertain were: William de Moulins; Hugh de Gournay; Guy de la Val; William de Albini; Willian de Vieuxpont; Raoul Taisson; William de Mohun; Eustace II, Count de Boulogne; Walter Giffard; Hugh de Montfort; William FitzOsbern, Earl of Hereford; Roger de Montgomeri, Earl ofArundel and Shrewsbury; Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulent and Earl of Leicester; Raoul de Toeni; Toustain Fitz Rou le Blanc; Hugh, Roger and Raoul de Mortemer; Aimeri, Vicomte de Thouars; Richard Comte D’Evreux and his son Guillaume; Robert, Comte d’Eu; Geoffrey, Seigneur de Mortagne, Comte de Perche; Alain Fergent, Earl of Richmond; Hugh d’Avranches, Earl of Chester; Geffrey de Mowbray, Bishop of Coutances; Richard de Bienfaite; Baldwin de Meules; Richard de Redvers; Gilbert de Montfichet; Roger le Bigod; E

udo Dipafer; Fulk d’Aunou; Richard de Nevil; Neelde Saint-Sauveur; William de Roumare; The Chamberlain of Tankerville; Urso d’Abetot; Walter and Ilbert de Lacy; Robert and Ivo de Vesci; Euguenulf de l’Aigle; Robert Marmion; Hugh de Beauchamp; Willian de Percy; Robert Fitz Erneis; William Parry de la Lande; William Crispin; Avenel de Biarz; Fulk d’Aulnay; Bernard de St.

Valery; Robert D’Oiley; Jean d’Ivri; Raoul de Fougeres; Errand de Harcourt; William Painel; Walter d’Aincvourt; Samson d’Ansneville; Hamo de Creve-coeur; Picot de Say; Robert Bertram; Hugh de Port; William de Columbieres; Robert d’ Estouteville; William Peveral. The Vikings in North West Francia ‘In the late eighth century, the Carolingean Empire appeared to be about to reconstitute the pan-European empire of the Romans, particularly after Charleman was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III on Christmas day 800. This event effectively marked the beginning of that curious but persistent medieval phenomenon, the Holy Roman Empire, which continued to mould together the fragmented Germanic world throughout the middle ages.’ "The Normans" by Trevor Rowley, p14, (1999). Charleman’s empire, a patchwork of principalities, lacked a military base and proved to be unstable.

Following his death in 814 it began slowly to disintegrate into three areas; in the east Germany, in the west France, and in between, a Middle Kingdom (Lorraine, Burgundy and Lombardy). These sub-kingdoms were divided into areas controlled by counts, viscounts and dukes. Initially they held their power from the emperor, but, after his death, they became increasingly independent. Throughout the ninth century this fragmentation made the sea coasts of western Europe an easy target for the Vikings from Scandinavia. Their tactics developed from hit-and-run raids on monasteries—an easy source of precious metals—to protectionist extortion, in England called the Danegeld, and finally to capturing fertile farm land where they would settle and put down roots. By the last quarter of the ninth century the Scandinavians had conquered most of northern and middle England. Only the brave defence of Alfred the Great (King of Wessex 871-899) prevented their total conquest of England. He defeated them at Edington in Somerset, and a large force of Vikings transferred their attention from southern England, and across the channel to north western France.

The Seine estuary was a natural entry point into the heart of France, and in 845 the Viking leader, Raynar is reputed to have extracted 7000 pounds of silver from Emperor Charles II to leave Paris peacefully. One Viking leader, Rollo (Rolf), who, according to tradition, was a Norwegian of noble birth, sailed up the River Seine in 911 and threatened Paris. King Charles III of West Francia, made a deal with Rollo, giving him the land around the mouth of the Seine, in exchange for his protection from attack by other invaders from the sea. Charles insisted also that Rollo and his men were immediately baptised and become Christians. So Rollo became the independent ruler of Rouen, a walled city situated on the north bank of the Seine. In 924 further lands in central and southern Normandy, along with the areas of Bayeux and Maine, were ceded to Rollo. By 933, Norman territory, with the further acquisition of the Breton peninsular, roughly conformed to its 1066 extent.

Many Scandinavian colonies were established around the river systems of mainland Europe, but only Normandy survived to become a principality. Rollo was succeeded by his son William Longsword (c.924-942) who encouraged the revival of the monasteries until his assassination which triggered a pagan revival, civil disorder and attack from the king of France and Scandinavian raiders. He was succeeded by his ten year old son Richard I (942-996). Who, as he grew older, restored order and stability to Normandy and further encouraged Christianity and the development of the monasteries. After he died in 996 his son Richard II maintained the friendly relations with Scandinavia which had been established by his father. Under his rule the Normans, as they were now called by the French, gradually adopted the language and culture of their French neighbours. Adopting the title Duke, Richard appointed members of his family to rule parts of Normandy on his behalf; thus, a new social structure emerged. He died in 1026 and his son Richard III was duke for just a year before he was succeeded by his brother Robert I (1027-35). His reign was troubled by internal disorder.

A liaison with an artisans daughter, Herleve, resulted in the birth, out of wedlock, of William, the future conqueror of England. Despite his domestic problems, Robert went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from which he never returned. He died suddenly in Bithynia on his way home. So William II, Duke of Normandy, came to the throne of Normandy. Because of his illegitimacy, and his youth--William was only about seven or eight years old—his tenure on the throne of the duchy was greatly threatened by the rulers of neighbouring principalities and by the intrigues of members of his own family,. His grandfather, Richard II, had two sons, Count William of Arques, and Mauger, Archbishop of Rouen, by his second wife, the Norman, Pepia. They stirred up opposition to the young duke among the Norman nobility. Consequently, several unsuccessful attempts were made to kill William, but his guardian, Gilbert, his tutor, and his steward, Osbern were not so fortunate.

But in 1047, Henry I of France came to Duke William’s aid and together their forces routed rebels under the command of Guy de Brionne at the battle of Val-es-Dunes, ending the worst of the threats against his throne. Unlike his predecessors who had, militarily, kept a low profile, William began to attack his neighbours, as a result the king of France joined forces with the dukes enemies. Neglecting his ships, William concentrated on strengthening his war machine. He imported professional soldiers from surrounding provinces to improve the fighting abilities of his army. These knight were quickly assimilated into the Norman aristocracy and many featured at Hastings, and subsequently became prominent among Anglo-Norman baronial families in England. William also imported Arab horses from Spain and North Africa and bred swift, sure-footed war horses for his cavalry. And in 1054 he defeated an attack by the combined forces of France and Anjou. Count Guy de Ponthieu was captured and transferred his allegiance to the Norman duke.

William gradually built a group of allies among the nobility, including Robert Montgomery, William de Warren, Roger de Beaumont, William FitzOsbern, and the dukes half-brothers, Robert Count de Mortain, and Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. William appointed subordinate counts in areas of military importance. They were mostly directly related to him; this promoted political unity throughout Normandy. These allies were to give William stout support in future campaigns including his conquest of England. By the middle of the 11th century the Normans had adopted the Frank system of territorial feudalism. Ownership of small estates was ceded to barons, bishops and abbots. They held them on a hereditary basis, and in return they provided knights for the dukes army for up to forty days a year. The land was worked by serfs who were tied to the land. The subjugation of hitherto free landholders led to a migration of disaffected knights and their followers to seek their fortunes in southern Europe where constant warfare between petty states provided many opportunities for enterprising private armies. In 1050 or 51 William married the Matilda, the beautiful and diminutive daughter of Baldwin V, count of Flanders.

This made Flanders an ally of Normandy and a number of Flemings fought at Hastings. William also reinforced his control over the church by continuing his father’s policy that the duke, alone, had the authority to appoint Bishops and Abbots. As a result the role of the church in Normandy was akin to a branch of Government. This policy was followed in England after the conquest, and developed into a marriage of church and state; this empowered the church to strengthen its authority and make much needed reforms. Hitherto, the clergy had been more interested in arms than alms, and mistresses than chastity; but William’s father, Robert, appointed an Italian Benedictine reformer, William of Volpiano, to the abbey at Fecamp. From there he strengthened the church by training and appointing priests throughout Normandy. Between 1000 and 1066 the number of monasteries in Normandy increased from just five to more than thirty. Another important Italian recruit to the Norman church was a cleric called Lanfranc. He arrived in the duchy about 1039 and founded a school Avranches.

Six years later he was appointed prior of Bec monastery which he developed until it was regarded as one of the most influential abbeys in Europe. Lanfranc appointed William’s nominees to vacant sees; Odo, the dukes half-brother, to the bishopric of Bayeux, although he was still a youth and well below the canonical age of thirty. By these means William guaranteed his political control of the church and their estates throughout Normandy. Throughout the 1050’s France and the principalities surrounding Normandy continued to threaten William but with mixed success. Then in 1060 circumstances turned in the Duke’s favour when William’s two greatest enemies, Henry I of France, and Geoffrey III Martel of Anjou, both died. Duke William took advantage and expanded his borders to the south by taking over Maine in 1063 and a year later he annexed Brittany to the west. In this campaign he was aided by Harold Godwinson, brother of Edward the Confessor’s wife, Queen Edith.

He had gone to Normandy, either to secure the release of his brother and nephew who were held there as hostages or, as the Bayeux claims, to establish the truth about promises made by Edward to Duke William. Three years later William was to claim the throne on the basis of assurances given him by King Edward that he would succeed him. Edward had lived the first half of his life in exile in Normandy, and maintained close ties with the Norman court throughout his life. Moreover, Edward the Confessor was related by marriage to William: his grandfather’s sister, Emma, was the mother of Edward A remarkable woman, she had been married to two consecutive kings of England, Ethelred and Cnut. Reinforce this claim with the promise said to have been made by Harold Godwinson that he also would support William’s claim against that of the twelve-year-old, heir apparent, Edgar the Aetheling, the great nephew of Edward, and grandson of Edmund Ironside. So it appears that the duke of Normandy had as much a right to the throne of England as anyone.

This view is supported by a scene in the Bayeux tapestry which shows Harold being knighted by William after the Breton campaign, suggesting that Harold accepted the duke as his lord. The Bayeux also show Earl Harold giving William an oath of allegiance. Consequently, William released Harold’s nephew but withheld his brother, Wulfnoth, perhaps as a guarantee of the promise made by the Earl. Furthermore, the author of "VITA AEDWARDI" records that Harold was "rather too generous with oaths (alas)!" However, the succession to the throne of England was by election of the Witan, not by descent, and they chose Harold Godwinson. William was furious when news reached him of Harold’s accession to the throne, and he started planning his invasion. Nicholas Breakspear Nicolas Breakspear alias Hadrian (Adrian) IV. Born c. 1100 near St Albans, England; died September 1st 1159, He reigned in the middle of the Crusades era which pitched the Western Roman Empire against the Eastern branch and against Saracen-Islam forces. He left England as a teenager, and studied and became a monk near Avignon, France.

His excessive strictness brought him to the attention of the Pope. He progressed to become the Pope's chief liason Cardinal, and after a successful mission to reorganise the church hierarchy in Scandinavia, he was elected the next Pope (Dec.4th 1154 to Sept.1st 1159). The first and only English Pope, also the first to be commonly called, "Vicar of Christ". When his body was exhumed for inspection in 1607 it is recorded that it was found to be undecayed and still fully clothed. He experienced difficulties balancing treaties between the Papacy's "Papal States" territory and greater Germany (the then Holy Roman Empire led by Frederick 1st Barbarossa) to the north, and the Norman Kingdom of William 1st the bad, king of Sicily who held the southern half of Italy and Sicily, in the south. Pope Adrian refused to recognise William and excommunicated him. In 1156 peace was made with the Sicilians and Adrian agreed to invest William, who in turn became the Pope's liege man.

At the same time a hostile commune, led by Arnold of Brescia, had taken over Rome so that Adrian could not live there until Arnold was captured by Emperor Frederick. As today many groups were in dissent, called "heretics" by the Catholic Church. The Amalric (who held that all humanity could become God); the Waldensians (best known for their poverty and evangelism); the Cathars/Albiensians (who held all materialism was evil) and many others. these "cults" were all persecuted for not towing the Papal (backed by the Imperial) line. When the see of Dublin opted to become an Irish archbishopric in 1152. An outraged Archbishop of Canterbury sent his secretary, John Salisbury, to Pope Adrian who granted Henry II of England (1154-1189) the Donation of Ireland in a Papal Bull. Since by virtue of a clause in the Donation of Constantine the pope was held to be lord of all the islands of the sea. The Bull was subsequently refuted. Anyway, as Sir Winston Churchill wrote, the young "Lord of England and the greater part of France had little time for Irish problems.

He left the affairs of the island to the Norman adventures." (A History of the English Biography of William the Conqueror Biography of William the Conqueror The Battle of Hastings The Life of William the Conqueror Vital Life Dates and Key Events! Biographies of the Battle of Hastings Leaders Biography of William the Conqueror Duke William of Normandy also known as William the Bastard. He was born in Falaise in 1028 - his parents were unmarried. His father was Robert I, the sixth Duke of Normandy. His mother was called Herleva who was the humble daughter of a Tanner called Fulbert. William's parents also had a daughter called Adelaide. Duke Robert died in 1035 and William became Duke of Normandy at the age of just seven years old. William's mother later married the Viscount of Conteville and produced a half-sister to William called Muriel and two half-brothers - Robert and Odo (Odo later became the Bishop of Bayeux who commissioned the famous Bayeux tapestry). In 1052 William married Matilda of Flanders.

Edward the Confessor, the King of England, took refuge in Normandy after the Danes conquered England, he stayed at the palace of William. He was very kindly treated there, and William said that in 1051 Edward had promised in gratitude that William should succeed him as king of England. Edward the Confessor returned to England and took with him Norman friends and advisors. The English nobles led by Harold Godwinson were furious at having so many French at court and Edward was forced to expel them. Harold Godwinson later married Edith the sister of Edward the Confessor. In 1065 Duke William meets with Harold Godwinson and is believed to have pledged a sacred oath of allegiance to the Duke. Edward the Confessor dies and Harold, the son of Earl Godwin, claims the English throne and is crowned the King of England. Duke William immediately stakes his claim on the English throne and receives support from many of the French nobles. Duke William appeals to the Pope to support his cause. The Pope agrees and sanctions a Holy War, or Crusade, against the English. Duke William gathers an army and a fleet of ships. Many mercenaries flock to his cause.

The fleet lands on the South coast of England at Pevensey on 28th September 1066. There are no English to meet him - not one soldier! William erects one of three pre-built castle he has brought with him at Pevensey and marches on to Hastings. Meanwhile King Harold has fought off a Viking invasion led by King Hardrada in the North of England. William and his army were waiting for the Normans at the South coast when they received news of the Vikings. Harold and his men had to make a force march to York, win a bloody battle with the Vikings on 25th September and then make another forced march back to Southern England to meet Duke William on October 14th. The two armies met at Senlac (later re-named Battle). William, clad in complete armor, was in the very front of the fight, urging on his troops. At one time a cry arose in his army that he was slain and a panic began. William drew off his helmet and rode along the lines, shouting, "I live! I live! Fight on! We shall conquer yet!". It was a hard fought fight and King Harold and his brothers were killed.

Duke William was victorious and was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey on 25th December 1066. Normans are rewarded with English land. There are various rebellions against William and the Norman Conquest in both Normandy and England and he has to travel between both countries to keep order. His half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, is made Earl of Kent and becomes William's Deputy in England and under his instructions the magnificent Bayeux tapestry is completed illustrating the Norman Invasion. The English rebellions against the Norman Conquest are first led in 1067 by King Harold's mother Gytha but her forces are defeated. In 1068 King William exacts a terrible punishment on rebels in the North of England referred to as 'The Harrying of the North'- William orders that all land is laid to waste and thousands of men, women and children are starved to death. The final major rebellion against William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest is led by Hereward the Wake with Harold's brother the Earl Morcar against the Normans at Peterborough - once again the rebels are defeated and the Norman Conquest is finally complete.

William the Conqueror instituted his strategy for medieval warfare of building castles and went on to build many castles in England including his most famous, the Tower of London. William the Conqueror also left another legacy - The Doomsday Book which was begun in 1086 and contained detailed records of 13,418 settlements in England. The Doomsday Book, which still survives, provides an insight into the medieval life and times of this era. William the Conqueror died in 1087 at Saint-Gervais near Rouen in France.

William the Conqueror Timeline 1028 - William was born in Falaise, Normandy, an illegitimate son of Robert I 1035 - Duke Robert I (William's father) dies in Bithynia 1035 - William becomes Duke William II of Normandy at the aged of 7 years old 1051 - Edward the Confessor gives a pledge to William that he will be made his successor to the throne of England 1052 - William marries Matilda of Flanders 1052 - Edward the Confessor is forced to expel Normans from his court due to pressure brought to bear by Harold Godwinson 1065 - William meets Harold Godwinson - Harold pledges allegiance to William 1066 - William obtains support from the Pope for his invasion of England and the right to the English throne 1066 - 28th September - William lands at Pevensey 1066 - 29th September - William captures Hastings 1066 - 14th October - William is victorious at the Battle of Hastings 1066 - 25th December - Duke William is crowned King of

 England 1067 - January - Duke William is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey in London 1067 - March - William the Conqueror starts constructing castles in England Norwich Castle, Wallingford Castle and Chepstow Castle 1067 - March - William returns to Normandy until December 1067 1067 - Autumn - Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux is made Earl of Kent and becomes William's Deputy in England 1067 - December - William returns to England 1067 - February - Rebellion against the Normans!

The English, led by Harold's mother Gytha, resist the Normans at Exeter but are defeated by the Normans 1067 - Spring - King William starts construction of Exeter Castle and the Tower of London 1068 - May 11th - King William's wife, Matilda, is crowned Queen of England 1068 - Rebellion! The "Harrying of the North" 1070 - Rebellion against the Normans!

Hereward the Wake leads the English with Harold's brother the Earl Morcar against the Normans at Peterborough but is defeated 1070 - The Norman Conquest is complete 1086 - The Doomsday Book 1087 - 9th September - William the Conqueror dies at Saint-Gervais near Rouen, France Battle of Hastings Index Battle of Hastings 1066 - xxxx - Anglo-Saxons - Battle of Hasting 1066 - Normans - Battle of Hastings 1066 - Norman Invasion - Norman Conquest - Battle of Hasting 1066 - Timeline - Fast Information - Short Facts - Battle of Hastings 1066 - Concise Facts - Info - Information - Facts - xxxx - William the Conquerer - Battle of Hasting - Harold - King - English - England - Battle of Hastings 1066 - Life and Times - Timelines - Battle of Hasting 1066 - Battle of Hastings 1066 - Battle of Hastings 1066 - Medieval - Anglo-Saxons - Normans - xxxx - Norman Invasion - Norman Conquest - Timeline - Fast Information - Short Facts - Information - Info

 - Hastings - Pevensey - William the Conquerer - King Harold Godwinson - English - England - xxxx - Battle of Hastings 1066 - Battle of Hasting 1066 - Date - Account - Hastins - Story - Battle tactics - Battlefield - Outline - Resources - Resource - Tactics - Weapons at the Battle of Hastings 1066 - xxxx - Written By Linda Alchin 1000+ images about 1066 Bayeux Tapestry on Pinterest | William turner, Stitches and England Forward The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth—not an actual tapestry—nearly 70 metres (230 ft) long, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England concerning William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold, Earl of Wessex, later King of England, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings.

It is likely that it was commissioned by Bishop Odo, William's half-brother, and made in England—not Bayeux—in the 1070s. See More

Question: Odo, the half-brother of William the Conqueror who supported him at the Battle of Hastings, was Bishop of ....., where?
Answer: BAYEUX