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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 2001-06 > 0993003224


From: "Todd A. Farmerie" <>
Subject: Re: Lady Godiva
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 20:13:44 -0600
References: <3B2EE892.54255F7E@ttcu.com>, <3B2EEC60.5FFAD82F@interfold.com>, <3B2F80BB.775FDF8C@ttcu.com>


"C. Brown" wrote:
>
> I have found many sites which lists Godiva of Normandy as the daughter
> of Robert I "The Magnificent" Duke of Normandy, and Harlette de
> Falaise.

That is unfortunate, but not unexpected, as the internet is full
of such misinformation.

> Godiva supposedly married Sir Knight Estmond of Bristol,
> Gloucestershire, England. I have not taken this to be absolute truth,
> as in historical texts I have not read anything of her. Therefore I
> asked the group for any information.

That was a prudent approach. As a word of warning, any time you
see "Sir Knight" in a genealogical source, it should be viewed
with extreme caution, as it demonstrates a lack of understanding
of the use of such titles, and by implication, of the period
being related. It is almost always a tip-off of bad genealogy.


> On the other hand, whoever she is, she is found in many genealogies.

Unfortunate, isn't it.

> This is the way the genealogies go:
> Godiva of Normandy m. Sir Knight of Estmond (Normandy; and
> Gloucestershire, England)

I have never seen Estmond as a name from this period - I suspect
some corruption has crept in here. As to Godiva, as I said
before, this is a name that never would have been used by the
dukes of Normandy. Not being familiar with the intricacies of
the Berkeley origins, I cannot say whether Godiva existed as
mother-in-law of Robert Fitz Harding but not sister of William,
or if her was entirely invented.

> daughter (Prioress) Eve Fitzestmond (abt 1099-1170) m. Robert "The
> Devout" Fitzharding (abt 1095-1170) (who is also listed as the son of
> Prince Harding of Denmark, m. to Livida) (Gloucestershire, Eng)

Harding was not prince of Denmark, but instead son of a
reasonably well documented Englishman.


taf

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