William Clito

William Clito was a Norman noble who became the Count of Flanders and a claimant to the Duchy of Normandy. Born to Robert Curthose and Sibylla of Conversano, he was the grandson of William the Conqueror. Clito, meaning ‘prince’, was his epithet. After his father’s defeat by King Henry I of England, William Clito found refuge with Henry’s enemies. His fortunes rose and fell with the political tides, and he was eventually installed as Count of Flanders by King Louis VI of France.

His rule in Flanders was marked by conflict, particularly with rival claimant Thierry of Alsace. Despite initial successes, his position weakened, leading to his death from a gangrenous wound at the age of twenty-five. His death concluded his brief reign in Flanders and his attempts to claim Normandy. His body was buried at the Abbey of Saint Bertin in St. Omer.