Ralph de Gacé

Ralph of Gacé (

his conquest of England. Ralph was the lord of Gacé and other estates in Normandy

Name

Ralph was known to his contemporaries as "Ralph Asshead" or "the Ass-Headed" (Ralph Tête d'Ane) for the supposed resemblance of his large and shaggy head to an ill-kept donkey.^[1] His name is also recorded as Raoul.^{[citation needed]}

Life

Ralph was the middle son of

William the Bastard.^[4] Ralph's older brother Richard received the countship of Évreux, Ralph was given the lordship of Gacé in Lower Normandy.^[5] He also held Bavent, Noyon-sur-Andelle (now Charleval), Gravençon (near present-day Lillebonne), and Écouché.^[6]

Upon the death of

illegitimate son William.^[7] The archbishop was able to maintain order in Normandy until his own death in 1037, whereupon rebellions and private wars erupted.^[8]

Ralph was one of the rebellious lords.

French king Henry I, had occupied Falaise.^[10] Ralph captured Falaise, forced Thurstan into exile, and drove Henry's forces from Normandy.^[10] While Ralph remained a key member of Duke William's inner circle,^[11] he made large donations to Jumièges Abbey.^[12] Ralph died in 1051.^[3]

Family

Ralph married Basilla, daughter of Gerard Flaitel. They had a son, Robert de Gacé, who died without heirs.^[13] After Ralph's death, Basilla remarried, wedding Hugh de Gournay.^[12]

Legacy

Ralph Asshead's former lands were among those demanded by his nephew

queen consort of Philip I

.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c William M. Aird, Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy: c. 1050–1134 (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2008), pp. 127–129.
^ Ordericus Vitalis, The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy, Trans. Thomas Forester, Vol. II (, London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854), p.160
^ ^a ^b Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: Verlag von J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 79.
^ Europäische Stammtafeln, Band II (1984), Tafel 79.
^ David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (Berkeley & Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1964), p. 33
^ Francis Palgrave, The History of Normandy and of England till 1101, Vol. 4 (London: Macmillan & Co., 1864), p. 246
^ The Gesta Normannorum Ducum of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis, and Robert of Torigni, Ed. & Trans. Elizabeth M.C. Van Houts, Vol. I (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1992), pp. 80-5
^ David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (Berkeley & Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1964), p. 64
^ ^a ^b David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (Berkeley & Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1964), p. 41
^ ^a ^b ^c David Crouch, The Normans; The History of a Dynasty (London & New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 63
^ David Crouch, The Normans; The History of a Dynasty (London & New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 64
^ ^a ^b Anselme de Sainte-Marie, Histoire de la Maison Royale de France, et des grands officiers (Paris: Compagnie des Libraires, 1726), p. 478
^ Surrey Archaeological Society, Surrey archaeological collections, relating to the history and antiquities of the county (London : Lovell Reeve & Co., 1858), p. 38

[aird-1] William M. Aird, Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy: c. 1050–1134 (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2008), pp. 127–129.

[2] Ordericus Vitalis, The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy, Trans. Thomas Forester, Vol. II (, London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854), p.160

[ESII79-3] Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: Verlag von J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 79.

[4] Europäische Stammtafeln, Band II (1984), Tafel 79.

[5] David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (Berkeley & Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1964), p. 33

[6] Francis Palgrave, The History of Normandy and of England till 1101, Vol. 4 (London: Macmillan & Co., 1864), p. 246

[7] The Gesta Normannorum Ducum of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis, and Robert of Torigni, Ed. & Trans. Elizabeth M.C. Van Houts, Vol. I (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1992), pp. 80-5

[8] David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (Berkeley & Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1964), p. 64

[WC41-9] David C. Douglas, William the Conqueror (Berkeley & Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1964), p. 41

[TN63-10] David Crouch, The Normans; The History of a Dynasty (London & New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 63

[11] David Crouch, The Normans; The History of a Dynasty (London & New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 64

[Anselme478-12] Anselme de Sainte-Marie, Histoire de la Maison Royale de France, et des grands officiers (Paris: Compagnie des Libraires, 1726), p. 478

[13] Surrey Archaeological Society, Surrey archaeological collections, relating to the history and antiquities of the county (London : Lovell Reeve & Co., 1858), p. 38

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