WIDUKIND  KING OF SAXONY

Widukind King of Saxony was born circa 735 in Lower Saxony Germany. His parents 

are unknown at this time. He had rebelled against Charles I King of the Franks, also known as Charlemagne, around 777. It was said after the rebellion he fled to Denmark. He rebelled again in about 778 and was defeated by Charles I. He surrendered and was baptized into the Christian faith and Charlemagne stood in as his godfather at the baptism. While in Denmark he married Geva, the sister of Siguard, or as some would say Sigfrid, who was the first Viking King of Haithabu, Denmark. And as you will see later in the Bio of Theoderick Count of Ringleheim that Siguard's and Geva's brother was King Harold Eystiensson.    

They had this issue.

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1. Witchbert Duke of Saxony b. circa 778 in Lower Saxony Germany

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Widukind the King of Saxony died circa 807

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WITCHBERT DUKE OF SAXONY

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Witchbert Duke of Saxony was born circa 778 in Lower Saxony Germany. His parents were Widukind King of Saxony and Geva, sister of Siguard 1st King of Haithabu. Witchbert married Odrad (Godrada) and they had this issue.

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Walbert Count of Ringelheim b. circa 800 in Ringelheim, Lower Saxony Germany

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Witchbert died circa 876.

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WALBERT COUNT OF RINGELHEIM

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Walbert Count of Ringelheim was born circa 800 in Ringelheim, Lower Saxony, Germany.

His father and mother were Witchbert Duke of Saxony and Odrad (Godrada).

He married Aldburg and they had these issues

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1. Wichbert 

2. Reginhart Count of Ringelheim b. circa 828 Ringelheim, Lower Saxony, Germany

3.Elimar

4. Daughter

 

Walbert Count of Ringelheim died circa 856.

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REGINHART COUNT OF RINGELHEIM

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Reginhart Count of Ringelheim was born circa 828 in Ringelheim, Lower Saxony, Germany. His parents were Walbert Count of Ringelheim and Aldburg.

His married Mathilda von Sachsen and they had this issue

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1. Theoderic Count of Ringelheim b. circa 853 in Ringelheim, Lower Saxony, Germany.

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Reginhart Count of Ringelheim died circa 891.

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THEODERIC OF RINGELHEIM

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Theoderic of Ringelheim was born circa 853 in Ringelheim, Germany. His parents were Reginhart Count of Ringleheim and Mathilda von Sachsen. Theodrick married Reginhilde de Friesland, daughter of Godfried Duke of Frisia. Godfried Duke of Frisia came from a line of Viking Kings from Norway and Haithabu, Denmark, which is also known as Hedeby. Below is a list of this family for Godfreid Duke of Frisia. 

 

1. King Halfdan Olafsson b.704 Norway d.752 married Aaso Eysteinsdottir

2. King Eystein Halfdansson b. 725 Vestfold, Norway d. 780 married Hild Ericsdottir

3. King Harold Eystiensson b. 746  Vestfold, Norway d. 804 married Imhild Von Engen

4. King Halfdan Haroldsson b. 777 Haithabu, Denmark d. 810 married (name unknown)

5. King Harold Klak Halfdansson b. 800 Haithabu, Denmark d. 844

6. Godfried Haroldsson Duke of Frisia b. 820 Haithabu, Denmark d. 885 married Geisla

 

King Harold Klak Halfdansson, his wife the queen and his son Godfried and about 400 Danes sailed up the Rhine River. They arrived at Saint Albans Abbey near Mainz and was baptized into the Christian faith on June 24, 826. Emperor Loius I The Pious stood in as godfather for Harold. Emperor Lothiar I stood in as godfather for Godfried and Judith stood in as godmother for King Harold's wife the queen. Harold Klak became the first Dane King to be baptized. After his Harold Klak baptism he was banished from Denmark. (This is the reason Godfried Duke of Frisia never became King of Hathabu Denmark.) And afterward Emperor Louis I The Pious gave King Harold Klak Haroldsson the territory of Frisia in the northern part of the Netherlands. 

Godfried was Duke of Frisia by Charles II and Friesland is the same territory which his father, King Harold Klak Halfdansson, recieved as a fief from Louis I. This just shows the connection of King Harold Klak Halfdansson and his son Godfried Duke of Frisia. Also Godfried and his descendants, especially his grandson Seigfried de Guines, held in their possession, Guines, France. Seigfried de 

Guines became the 1st Count of Guines. Godfried Duke of Frisia was summoned to Lobith for a meeting. He was accused of insurrection. When he arrived at the meeting he and his men were slaughtered by some Frisians and Saxon nobles in the year 885.

 

And Godfreid's wife was Geisla, illegitimate daughter of King Lothiar II. Godfreid, who from an earlier marriage had a son named Heriofr (Hrolf) Thurstan. Heriofr had a son named Ansfredus and Ansfredus had a son named Crispin Ansgot de Bec who married Heloise de Guines, daughter of Raoul 3rd Count of Guines. Ansgot was said to have married his couisin Heloise. ( Some have said 2nd couisin but I believe they  were actually 4th couisins ) According to to my research she is the sister of Erchenbald Viscount of Rouen. This connection will be mention in the bio page below of Erchenbald Viscount of Rouen. You can see the names come together. Theoderic of Ringleheim and Reginhilde de Friesland had these issues

 

1. Widukind (son)

2. Immed (son)

3. Almarade of Ringelheim (daughter) 

4. Mathilda of Ringelheim (daughter) married Emporer Henry I "The Fowler"

5. Frederune of Ringelheim (daughter) married King Charles III of France

6. Lambert of Ringleheim (son)

7. Siegfried the Dane 1st Count of Guines b. circa 905 in Ringelheim, Germany

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SIEGFRIED DE GUINES 1st COUNT OF GUINES

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Siegfried de Guines was born circa 905 in Ringelheim, Germany. His father and mother were Theoderic of Ringelheim and Reginhilde of Friesland. Siegfried was also known as Siegfried "the Dane" 1st Count of Guines because his mother was of a Danish descent .

Siegfried was a powerful count and military leader. There is a record that states Emperor Henry I, also called Henry the Fowler, gave Brandenberg and it's Government to Siegfried Count of Ringelheim. It says that Siegfried was the brother to the Empress, who was Mathilda wife of Emperor Henry I (Henry the Fowler). Also in that same text it states that Seigfried was a direct male descendant of Widukind the Great, Prince of Saxony. Widukind was Siegfried's 3rd great-grandfather. So it looks like Siegfried held both titles of Count of Ringelheim and Count of Guines.

According to history Siegfried "the Dane" came with his Vikings and seized Guines, France in 928. And some would say he went to Guines to claim hereditary claims. I found a record that shows that Siegfried Count of Guines is the same as Siegfried Count of Ringelheim. His family ruled and were Dukes in Ringelheim, Germany. There was a book written by Lambert of Ardes called The History of the Counts of Guines and Lords of Ardres. In this historical writing it says that Siegfried was "nepos et cognatus germanus". This being translated means (nepos) grandson (et) and (cognatus) relative by blood on his mother's side (germanus) offspring to the King of Denmark and he came to claim his heriditary rights to Guines. This is the way it would be translated, that Siegfried was the "grandson and relative by blood on his mothers side offspring" to the King of Denmark. Probably at that time, in the late 1100's when this was written, great-grandfather was not used.  And that is probably why cognatus and germanus were added to nepos.

Also in this book written by Lambert de Ardres it talks about Siegfried came from the bloodline of Walbert and came to Guines to receive his paternal inheritance. There was a Count Walbert that gave all his land in Guines to Saint Bertin in 663. How could Seigfried claim a paternal inheritance from this Count Walbert. Because this Count Walbert gave all his land away to Saint Bertin in 663. I believe that Lambert could be mistaken about which Walbert that Sigfried was related to because of the two. And that reason could be because Lambert wrote this in the late 1170's and Count Walbert, the one they would later called Saint Walbert, was there in 663.  So this historical account was being written over 400 years later by Lambert de Ardres. Now Siegfried had a great - grandfather named  Walbert Count of Ringelheim. Siegfried held both titles and his great - grandfather could have held both titles. So I believe, like the book said, that Siegfried came to recieve and take back his paternal inheritance of Guines.  

According to the paper trail, Siegfried's mother was Reginhilde de Friesland, daughter of Godfried Duke of Frisia and Godfrey Duke of Frisia was the son of Harold Klak Halfdansson, King of Denmark. So this Siegfried Count of Guines was the great grandson of Harold Klak Halfdansson, King of Denmark.

The area called Guines belonged to an Abbey called Saint Benard Abbey in Saint-Omer. The area came into what is called West Flanders. During the seize,  Anoulf  "the Great" Count of Flanders (son of Baldwin II) came to terms and became friends with Seigfried "the Dane". It also says in this historical writing by Lambert of Ardes that Seigfried was attracted to Ethrude, daughter of Arnulf I 3rd Count of Flanders, and he stole her away. During this time Ethrude was impregnated by Siegfried.  

 

Siegfried and Ethrude had these issues.

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1. Ardulf de Guines b. circa 930 Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France.

2. Hawise de Guines 

Below is a pedigree chart that places Siegfried "the Dane" in the line of Emperor Charlemagne and Alfred the Great, King of England.

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1. Emperor Charlemagne

2. Emperor Louis I

3. Charles II King of France

4. Judith (daughter of Charles II) married Baldwin I Count of Flanders

5.Baldwin II (2nd Count of Flanders) married Elthryth of Wessex (daughter of King Alfred)

6. Arnulf I (3nd Count of Flanders) married Adela of Vermondas

7.Ethrude de Flanders married Siegfried "the Dane" 1st Count of Guines

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Siegfried (The Dane) of Guines 1st Count of Guines died in 965 at Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

ARDOLF DE GUINES 2nd COUNT OF GUINES

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Ardolf de Guines was born circa 930 in Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France. He was the son of Siegfried de Guines 1st Count of Guines. He also became to be known as the 2nd Count of Guines. He married Mathilda of Boulogne. and they had issue.

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1. Raoul de Guines 3rd Count of Guines b. circa 956 Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France

2. Roger de Guines b. circa 959 Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France

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RAOUL DE GUINES 3rd COUNT OF GIUNES

Raoul de Guines was born circa 956 in Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France. He is also known by the name Rodolf. He was the son of Ardolf

de Guines  and Mathilda of Boulogne. He became the 3rd Count of Guines. He married Rosella de Saint Pol the daughter of the 3rd Count of Saint Pol. They had these issues.

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1. Heloise de Guines b. circa 977

2. Eustache 4th Count of Guines b. circa 980

3. Robert de Blount b. circa 984

4. Sir. William de Blount b. circa 987

5. Erchambald Viscount of Rouen b. circa 990 in Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France

6. Franconis (son)

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Raoul de Guines 3rd Count of Guines is said to have died circa 1036 in Paris, France.

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ERCHENBALD THE VISCOUNT

OF ROUEN

 

Erchenbald the Viscount of Rouen was born circa 990 in Guines, Nord, Pas-de-Calais,

France. His parents are Raoul de Guines 3rd Count of Guines and Rosella de Sant Pol. There are various spellings for his name such as Erchenbald, Erchembaldus, Erchembaldi, Erchembaldo, Erchembaldus, Herchambaldus and there could be some more. Erchembald would later be pronounce and spelled by his descendant in the Douglas family as Archibald. His descendants after arriving in England started going by the name "Le Fleming". Again Fleming means a family is from the Flanders area and speaks Flemish. Through at lot of research, looking at charters dating back to the Medieval days of France, I have come to the conclusion that Erchenbald is related to the family that settled in Guines, France. 

 

First I want to talk about who I believe is his sister and that is Heloise de Guines. Gilbert Crispin who lived circa 1055-1117 wrote a book called Vita Herluni. It was about the life of Herluin, son of Ansgot and Heloise. He said Herluin's father, Ansgot, descended from the Danish Vikings who settled Normandy. And he said Herluin's mother, Heloise, was related to the counts of Flanders. Researchers I believe confuses her with Hawise de Guines, daughter of Seigfried ("the Dane")  de Guines, 1st Count of Guines.  Heloise de Guines's father was Raoul 3rd Count of Guines. Now this is my conclusion. So lets look at the connection of Heloise and Erchenbald. Heloise married Ansgot the Bec. There are charters that I believe shows how Erchenbald is Heloise's brother. The first one is a charter dated 1043 that was at Abbey Saint-Catherine of the Holy Trinity on the Mount. This church has a spiritual bond with this family. This charters states that money was going to be given for the land of Osbern son of Maingot. Maingot here I believe is Ansgot. Also listed as a witness on this charter is "Herchembaldi avuncular Osbern" (avuncular means uncle). Some reseachers says this is another Osbern that Erchembald is also a uncle to. But there is only one Osbern listed on this charter and it is Osbern son of Maingot (Ansgot).  This Osbern son of Maingot (Ansgot) was known as Osbern the Viscount of Eu which later becomes a monk at Jerusalem. This is stated on a charter dated 1040-1050 that says Ansfredus, son of Osbern the Viscount of Eu, "and later a monk at Jerusalem. There are some similarities about the 2 charters, the one that says Osbern son of Maingot and the charter that talks about Ansfredus son of Osbern the Viscount of Eu. Both of these charters talks about land that Ansfredus owns and Osbern owns are in Quevreville. This is added proof that Osbern son of Maingot (should read Ansgot) is the same Osbern Viscount of Eu. Just above in the Theoderick Count of Ringelheim bio I mentioned that Ansgot de Bec father was Ansfredus. Now we see Osbern Viscount of Eu naming his son after his grandfather Ansfredus.

 

And there was another Osbern that Erchembald was related to and his name was Osbern the Steward. And he was killed in the assassination attempt on William the Conqueror. Osbern had his throat cut that night in the bedchambers of young William the Conqueror. During the time that Osbern the Steward was killed, Gilbert, Erchembaldus son, was seriously wounded. There is a charter dated 1040 that says William the Conqueror "subscribes and confirms" this.  Also 2 other guardians were killed in 1040 trying to protect William the Conqueror and they were Gilbert Count of Brionne and Turchitillus, Ansgot's brother. Also I believe that I have proof that this Mainsgot is Ansgot, husband of Heloise. Heloise and Ansgot had a son named Roger. There is a Roger also listed on the 1043 charter as "Roger his son". Otherwise, I believe this is talking about Osbern was the son of Ansgot and so was Roger.

 

Other proof is that Ansgot had two brothers named Turoldi and Turchitillus and Turoldi was a witness that is mentioned on the 1043 charter that says Osbern son of Maingot. Again Turchilittus was killed 1040 (in the assassination attempt on William the Conqeror) before this charter was written. There is another charter dated 1025 which took place a Fecamp, France and you will find Turoldi and Turchitillus named. There names are not far on the charter list of names from "Herchembaldus". There is another charter dated 1040-1051 at Abbey Saint Catherine of the Holy Trinity on the Mount at Rouen. This charter states the land that is being held by Erchenbaldus and Turoldus and that the land was almost totally commited. There are two charters and one is dated 1040-1050 which states Ansfredus son of Osbern Viscount of Eu given land to the Abbey of Sainte Catherine Trinity on the Mount. And the other charter is dated 1040 that says Gilbert sonnof Erchenbald Viscount which also states that land is being given to the Abbey Saint Catherine Trinity on the Mount. Anfredus and Gilbert I believe are 2nd cousin because each of these land are listed as in Valle Richer. These land are in the same vicinity placing these families close. So I believe that these charters place Erchenbald with this family as the brother of Heloise and brother-in-law of Ansgot de Bec.

 

As you can see, Erchenbald came from a family of nobility. His oldest brother, Eustace, became the 4th Count of Guines. This would, I believe, place Erchenbald in a place of nobility to be the Viscount of Rouen. Erchenbald of Rouen held the title of "Viscount" which means a person of nobility that is in an administrative and judicial status. Some have even said he was "Sheriff". Somewhere between 1030 and 1035 he gave the Abbey of the Holy Trinity on the Mount (Sainte Catherines) the meadow of Sahurs and what they called the hereditary property in Celloville. There are two charters of the Abbey of the Holy Trinity on the Mount (Sainte Catherine) in Rouen France, that list two sons of Erchenbald the Viscount. On one charter is in 1040 it mentions that William the Bastard (William the Conqueror) witnessed that Gulbertus, son of Viscount Erchembadus, was seriously wounded during the assassination of Osbern, his cousin. On that same charter is listed the two other sons, Croci and Erchenbald. Also on another charter in 1067 that list Erchenbald son of Erchenbald the Viscount was setting out overseas. This would have been when William the Conqueror was going back to England on December 1067. Erchernbald Viscount of Rouen married the daughter of Richard de Beufour and her name is unknown at this time and they had issue

 

1. Gilbert (Gulbertus) b. in Rouen, Normandy, France

2.  Erchenbald le Fleming b. circa 1024 in Rouen, Normandy, France 

3. Croci (son) b. in Rouen, Normandy, France

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Before his death, somewhere between 1030-1035, Erchenbald the Viscount enter the Trinity on the Mount monastery in Rouen, France (His brother Franco witness the charter). He probably went into the monastery for retirement or health reasons.  Erchenbald the Viscount of Rouen died circa 1043 in Rouen, France.

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ERCHENBALD LE FLEMING

Erchenbald le Fleming was born circa 1024 in Rouen, Normandy, France. His father is Erchenbald the Viscount of Rouen and his mother was the daughter of Richard de Beufour her first name is unknown. Erchenbald is said to be a high ranking officer in the ducal court of Normandy. Otherwise he was an officer of the court of the Duke of Normandy which was William the Conqueror. Some has said that he came to England during William the Conqueror Conquest of England in 1066. But no proof has been found yet. There is a record that says that he was setting out overseas. So he came with William the Conqueror on his return trip to England around December of 1067. There is a nobleman which is mention in a charter in 1067 by the name of Erchenbaldo filo Erchenbaldi the viscomte. And this means Erchebald son of Erchenbald the Viscount. Then after Erchenbald settled in England was the first to take the name of "Le Fleming". I do not believe Erchebald was married before coming to England. The 1067 charter said he was setting out overseas and it did not say that any family was with him. And after him his descendants took on this name of "Le Fleming" He became a landowner in England and his name appears in the Doomsday Book dated 1086. He begins to own land in Devonshire and Cornwall. I believe not long after he arrived in England he probably was married around 1068 or 1069. His wife's name is unknown and they had issue

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1. Stephen le Fleming b. circa 1070 in Devonshire, England

2. John le Fleming b. 1072 in Devonshire, England

3. William le Fleming b. circa 1074 in Devonshire, England 

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Erchenbald le Fleming died circa 1100 in Devonshire, England

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WILLIAM le FLEMING

William le Fleming was born circa 1074 in Devonshire, England. He later migrated toward the Northern part of England around Lancashire and Cumberland, England. He married Lady Ada Rumigny and they had issue

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1. Sir. Michael le Fleming b. circa 1095 Beckernet, Cumberland England

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William le Fleming died 1154 in Alderman Manor, Lancashire, England

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SIR MICHAEL le FLEMING

Sir Michael le Fleming was born circa 1095 in Beckernet, Cumberland, England. His father and mother was William le Fleming and Lady Ada Rumigny. He wife's name is unknown at this time and they had issue

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1. Theobald le Fleming b. circa 1120 Alderman Manor, Lancashire, England

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Sir Michael le Fleming died 1154 in Alderman Manor, Lancashire, England

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THEOBALD le FLEMING

Theobald le Fleming was born circa 1120 in Alderman Manor, Lancashire, England. His father and mother was Sir Michael le Fleming and his mother's name is unknown at this time. His married Kersdale de Moravia and they had issue 

 

1. William de Douglas b. circa 1146 Lanarkshire, Scotland.

 

He received a land patent not far from the modern day village of Douglas, Scotland in Lanarkshire in 1147. This same land is the land that his son William inherited. William took on the last name Douglas because this land was also close to the Douglas Waters. Theobald le Fleming died 1193 in Douglasdale, Lanarkshire, Scotland. 

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