Herleva

Herleva was a Norman woman of the 11th century who is primarily recognized as the mother of William the Conqueror and the half-siblings Odo of Bayeux and Robert, Count of Mortain. Her children were the result of two different relationships; William was born from her extramarital affair with Robert I, Duke of Normandy, while Odo and Robert were born from her subsequent marriage to Herluin de Conteville.

The specifics of Herleva’s early life, including the nature of her relationship with Duke Robert, are largely uncertain due to inconsistent historical records. Her father, Fulbert of Falaise, served as the Duke’s Chamberlain, and she was presumed to be a native of Falaise. Herleva later married Herluin de Conteville in 1031 and had two more sons who held significant positions during William’s rule, in addition to at least two daughters.