Robert, Count of Mortain

He was one of the very few proven companions of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings and as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 was one of the greatest landholders in his half-brother's new Kingdom of England.

[11] He is pictured at a dinner at Pevensey on the Bayeux Tapestry, seated with his brothers William and Odo on the day of the landing in England.

[12][13] Robert's contribution to the success of the invasion was clearly regarded as highly significant by the Conqueror, who awarded him a large share of the spoils; in total 797 manors at the time of Domesday.

[15] The holding of single greatest importance was the rape of Pevensey (east Sussex) which protected one of the more vulnerable parts of the south coast of England.

[14] Robert died in 1095, possibly on 9 December,[17] and chose to be buried at the Abbey of Grestain,[14] near his father and next to his first wife Matilda.

[16] He was described by William of Malmesbury in his Gesta Regum Anglorum as a man of stupid dull disposition (crassi et hebetis ingenii).

[18] Further clues to his character are found in the Vita of Vitalis of Savigny, a very wise monk whom Robert sought out as his chaplain.