Herleva or Arlette was the mother of William the Conqueror. She was the teenage daughter of a local tanner from a little French town of Falaise, where they lived. Herleva's Legend is that it all started when Robert, the young Duke of Normandy saw Herleva washing in the river near his castle. He was unable to resist her and took her for his mistress. She later gave birth to his son, William in 1027 or 1028. Their love affair didn't last. While Robert went on a pilgrimage, Herleva married Herluin de Conteville in 1029. From this marriage she had two sons: Odo and Robert, who both became prominent during William's reign. They also had at least one daughter, who married William, lord of La Fert-Mac. William the Conqueror had a (half or full) sister, Adelaide, who may have been Herleva's daughter, but could possibly have been a daughter of Robert by some other mistress. Adelaide married first Enguerrand, count of Ponthieu, second Lambert of Lens, and third Odo, count of Champagne.
Herleva or Arlette was the mother of William the Conqueror. She was the teenage daughter of a local tanner from a little French town of Falaise, where they lived. Herleva's Legend is that it all started when Robert, the young Duke of Normandy saw Herleva washing in the river near his castle. He was unable to resist her and took her for his mistress. She later gave birth to his son, William in 1027 or 1028. Their love affair didn't last. While Robert went on a pilgrimage, Herleva married Herluin de Conteville in 1029. From this marriage she had two sons: Odo and Robert, who both became prominent during William's reign. They also had at least one daughter, who married William, lord of La Fert-Mac. William the Conqueror had a (half or full) sister, Adelaide, who may have been Herleva's daughter, but could possibly have been a daughter of Robert by some other mistress. Adelaide married first Enguerrand, count of Ponthieu, second Lambert of Lens, and third Odo, count of Champagne.
Inscription
A translation from the French shown in the image:
Abbey of Grestain
1050-1790 [Although difficult restored today]
Here rest under the ruins of the church of
this abbey the remains
of Arlette mother of William the Conqueror
Herluin Lord of Conteville her Husband
Robert Earl Comte's First Earl of
Cournoualles. Matilda
daughter of Roger de Montgomery first
Earl of Shrewsbury
Rest in Peace
This plate was
erected for those
descendants of Arlette
July 1928
