Page "William the Conqueror" Paragraph 9

Robert, William's father, became Duke of Normandy on 6 August 1027, in succession to his elder brother Richard III, who had only succeeded to the title the previous year.

Robert and his brother had been at odds over the succession, and Richard's death was very sudden.

Robert was accused by some writers of killing his brother, a plausible but now unprovable charge.

Conditions in Normandy were unsettled, as noble families despoiled the Church and Alan III of Brittany waged war against the duchy, possibly in an attempt to take control.

By 1031 Robert had gathered considerable support from noblemen, many of whom would become prominent during William's life.

They included Robert's uncle, Robert the archbishop of Rouen, who had originally opposed the duke, Osbern, a nephew of Gunnor the wife of Duke Richard I, and Count Gilbert of Brionne, a grandson of Richard I.

After his accession, Robert continued Norman support for the English princes Edward and Alfred, who were still in exile in northern France.