SYNCHRONISMS:
FRANCE: 996, Robert II; 1031, Henry I
ENGLAND: 1016, Knut
[From The Normans in Europe]
Among contemporaries Robert of Normandy was called the Magnificent, which best accords with the reckless, extravagant, liberality of his character, although he is also called "the Devil" and "the Saint".
Alan of Brittany attempted to throw off his allegiance, but was reduced to submission. Robert assumed the position of a protector of exiled princes and a king-maker. Baldwin IV of Flanders, driven forth by his rebellious son, was restored by the Norman Duke. He assisted Henry of France to regain his throne (1031-1033), for which service he received the over-lordship of the Vexin. He revived the pretensions of the Athelings to the English throne, and claimed the cession of England. Upon Knut's refusal, he attempted to invade England, but the Dane was too firmly seated, and the expedition failed.
His life closed with a strange pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the stories of which surround him with the romance of a knight errant. With ostentatious liberality his mules were shod with shoes of silver gilt, and carelessly attached by one nail alone, that they might be lost and speak of the riches of him who had passed that way. Arrived at the Court of Constantinople, he treated the Emperor with a rudeness and contempt which were best answered by the studied courtesy of the more refined monarch of the East. When he reached the gates of Jerusalem, we are told of the contest of liberality between him and the Emir, Robert paying all the tolls of those pilgrims who waited outside the gates, too poor to pay their fee for entrance; which the Emir, not to be outdone, returned on his departure. On his way home Robert's pilgrimage and life were suddenly cut short in Bithynia, where he died, some said by poison. It is related that he met with Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou, at Constantinople, in 1035, and they travelled thence together to the Holy Land, escorted by some merchants of Antioch, who had offered to be their guides. Robert becoming fatigued, was carried in a litter by four Moors. A Norman pilgrim returning from Jerusalem, meeting his sovereign with this equipage, asked if he had any message to send his friends. "Tell them", said the Duke, "that thou sawest me borne to Paradise by four devils". [from "The Conqueror and his Companions"]
By Estrith, sister of Knut, Robert had no issue. Before setting out for Jerusalem he assembled his baronage, and declaring his natural son William (by one Herleve, daughter of a furrier of Falaise) his heir, those present did homage and took the oath of allegiance to William, then between seven and eight years of age.