Robert I, Duke of Burgundy

Robert I of Burgundy
Spouse(s)	Helie of Semur Ermengarde
Noble family	House of Burgundy
Father	Robert II of France
Mother	Constance of Arles
Born	1011
Died	21 March 1076(1076-03-21) Fleurey-sur-Ouche

French Monarchy
Direct Capetians
Hugh Capet
Robert II
Robert II
Henry I
Robert I, Duke of Burgundy
Henry I
Philip I
Hugh, Count of Vermandois
Philip I
Louis VI
Louis VI
Louis VII
Robert I of Dreux
Louis VII
Marie, Countess of Champagne
Alix, Countess of Blois
Marguerite, Queen of Hungary
Alys, Countess of the Vexin
Philip II
Agnes, Empress of Constantinople
Philip II
Louis VIII
Louis VIII
Louis IX
Robert I, Count of Artois
Alphonse, Count of Poitou and Toulouse
Saint Isabel of France
Charles I of Anjou and Sicily
Louis IX
Philip III
Robert, Count of Clermont
Agnes, Duchess of Burgundy
Philip III
Philip IV
Charles III, Count of Valois
Louis d'Evreux
Margaret, Queen of England
Philip IV
Louis X
Philip V
Isabella, Queen of England
Charles IV
Grandchildren
Joan II of Navarre
John I
Joan III, Countess and Duchess of Burgundy
Margaret I, Countess of Burgundy
Isabella, Dauphine of Viennois
Edward III of England
Mary of France
Blanche, Duchess of Orléans
Louis X
Joan II of Navarre
John I
John I
Philip V
Charles IV

Robert I of Burgundy, known as Robert the Old (ne: Robert le Vieux, 1011 – 21 March 1076) was duke of Burgundy between 1032 to his death. Robert was son of King Robert II of France and brother of Henry I of France.

In 1025, with the death of his eldest brother Hugh Magnus, he and Henry rebelled against their father and defeated him, forcing him back to Paris. In 1031, after the death of his father the king, Robert participated in a rebellion against his brother, in which he was supported by his mother, Constance of Arles. Peace was only achieved when Robert was given Burgundy (1032).

Throughout his reign, he was little more than a robber baron who had no control over his own vassals, whose estates he often plundered, especially those of the Church. He seized the income of the diocese of Autun and the wine of the canons of Dijon. He burgled the abbey of St-Germain at Auxerre. In 1055, he repudiated his wife, Helie of Semur, and assassinated her brother Joceran and murdered her father, his father-in-law, Lord Dalmace I of Semur, with his own hands. In that same year, the bishop of Langres, Harduoin, refused to dedicate the church of Sennecy so as not "to be exposed to the violence of the duke."

His first son, Hugh, died in battle at a young age and his second son, Henry, also predeceased him. He was succeeded by Henry's eldest son, his grandson, Hugh I.

Family

He married his first wife, Helie of Semur, about 1033, and repudiated her in 1046. Robert and Helie had five children:

1. Hugh (1034–1059), killed in battle
2. Henry (1035–ca.1074). He died shortly before his father, thus making his son Robert's heir. The name of his wife is unknown (that it was Sybil has been discredited) as is her origin, although a connection to the Counts of Barcelona has been hypothesized. Their children were:Hugh I, Duke of Burgundy (1057–1093); Odo I, Duke of Burgundy (1058–1103); Robert, bishop of Langres (1059–1111); Helie, a nun (b. 1061); Beatrice (b. 1063), married Guy I, count of Vignory; Reginald, abbot of St Pierre (1065–1092); Henry, Count of Portugal (1066–1112), who became a vassal of León and ruler of the county of Portugal in 1093 - his son would be Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal
3. Robert (1040–1113), poisoned; married Violante of Sicily, daughter of Roger I of Sicily
4. Simon (1045–1087)
5. Constance (1046–1093), married Alfonso VI of León and Castile

• From his second wife, Ermengarde, daughter of Fulk III of Anjou, he had one daughter:

1. Hildegard (c.1056–1104), married Duke William VIII of Aquitaine

See also

• Dukes of Burgundy family tree

Sources

• Gwatking, H. M., Whitney, J. P., et al. Cambridge Medieval History: Volume III—Germany and the Western Empire. Cambridge University Press: London, 1930.

Ancestry

16. Robert I of France

8. Hugh the Great

17. Béatrice

4. Hugh Capet

18. Henry the Fowler

9. Hedwige of Saxony

19. Matilda of Ringelheim

2. Robert II of France

20. Ebalus, Duke of Aquitaine

10. William III, Duke of Aquitaine

21. Emilienne

5. Adelaide of Aquitaine

22. Rollo

11. Gerloc (Adele)

1. Robert I, Duke of Burgundy

12. Boso II of Arles

6. William I of Provence

13. Constance

3. Constance of Arles

28. Fulk I, Count of Anjou

14. Fulk II, Count of Anjou

29. Rosalie de Loches

7. Adelaide of Anjou

15. Gerberga

Preceded by Henry

Duke of Burgundy 1032 – 1076

Succeeded by Hugh I