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Robert, Count of Eu



Robert d'Eu, 5th Comte of d'Eu (c. 1020 – after 1091), was the eldest son and successor of Guillaume 3rd Comte d'Eu, illegitimate son of Duke Richard I of Normandy, and Lesceline de Harcourt de Turqueville.

Life
Robert d'Eu was son of Guillaume, Comte d'Eu who was an illegitimate son of Richard I of Normandy. He succeeded his brother Guillaume Busac as Comte d'Eu, possibly following his brother's revolt against Duke Richard II of Normandy

In 1066 Robert contributed 60 ships to the Norman invasion fleet and hence was a major contributor to the overall total of 696 ships. In around 1070, William the Conqueror gave Robert d'Eu, the rape of Hastings which occupied a fifth of Sussex, after Onfroy du Tilleul, the nephew of Hugh de Grandmesnil, fled to Normandy. The Domesday Book (1086) shows that Robert held 75 manors in Sussex while his son Guillaume held a number spread across the south and west of England. Their revenue from these lands came to some £690. They were therefore, if not the richest barons, then at least amongst them.

In 1069 Robert d'Eu was appointed by the King along with Robert de Mortain to guard against the Danes whose fleet was anchored in the mouth of the Humber, while the revolt initiated by Eadric the Wild in the West Midlands. When the Danes advanced from their fleet to plunder the neighborhood, the two men and their army defeated them and forced them to flee by sea,.

After the death of William the Conqueror, Robert d'Eu supported Robert Curthose. But in due course he transferred his allegiance to William Rufus. The Treaty of Caen (February 1091), which attempted to reconcile William II and Robert Curthose, left the County of Eu as a possession of the English King indicating that Robert d'Eu was one of his supporters.

Death
Robert d'Eu died some time after the Treaty of Caen and before 1093, when his son Guillaume was recognized as Comte d'Eu. He is buried in the Abbey of Saint-Michel du Tréport, which he had founded in Le Tréport, near Eu, some time between 1057 and 1066.

Children

 * Raoul d'Eu,
 * Guillaume II Comte d'Eu, Lord of Hastings,
 * Condona d'Eu, Comtesse d'Angouleme,
 * Robert d'Eu,
 * Walter Hastings
 * 2 others