Richard I of Normandy (c.935 - November 20, 996) was the Duke of Normandy from 942 to 996. He was called Richard the Fearless (French, Sans Peur).

Birth

He was born to William I of Normandy, Duke of Normandy, and Sprota . His date of birth is unknown, but he was still a boy when his father died in 942. His mother was a Breton concubine captured in war and bound to William by a Danish marriage . After William died, Sprota became the wife of Esperleng, a wealthy miller.

Life

Richard was still a boy when his father died, and so he was powerless to stop Louis IV of France when he seized Normandy. Richard escaped from his prison at Laon, allied himself with Norman and Viking leaders, drove Louis out of Rouen, and took back Normandy by 947.

Marriages

He was first married to Emma of Paris (Duchess of Normandy) in 960. She died after 966, with no issue.

According to Robert of Torigny , not long after Emma's death, Duke Richard went out hunting and stopped at the house of a local forester. He became enamoured of the forester's wife, Seinfreda, but she being a virtuous woman, suggested he court her unmarried sister, Gunnor, instead. Gunnor became his bride, and her family rose to prominence. Her brother, Herefast de Crepon , was involved in a controversial trial involving the Cathars. She was, like Richard, of Norse descent, being a Dane by blood. Richard finally married her to legitimate their children:

• Richard II, Duke of Normandy (The Good),
• Robert, Archbishop of Rouen, Count of Evreux, died 1037.
• Mauger, Earl of Corbeil, died after 1033.
• Robert Danus, died between 985/989.
• Emma of Normandy, died 1052.
• Hawise of Normandy , wife of Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany.
• Maud of Normandy, wife of Odo II of Blois , Count of Blois, Champagne and Chartres.

Death

He died in Fecamp, France on November 20, 996 of natural causes.

Sources

• McKitterick, Rosamund. The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians 751-987, 1993.
• Searle, Eleanor. Predatory Kinship and the Creation of Norman Power, 840-1066, 1998.

The Henry Project: Richard I of Normandy