Alan IV, Duke of Brittany.html

Alan IV Fergant (died 13 October 1119) was Duke of Brittany, from 1084 until his abdication in 1112. He was also Count of Nantes and Count of Rennes. He was son of Hawise, Duchess of Brittany and Duke Hoel II. He was known as Alan Fergant, which in Breton means "Alan the Younger". Through his father, he was of the Cornwall dynasty, (Breton: Kerne dynasty)

1 Norman Conflict
2 Crusader
3 Abdication and Death
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

Norman Conflict

A traditional rivalry between Brittany and Normandy continued at the close of the 11th century. The Breton-Norman war of 1064–1065 was the result of William I of England's support of rebels in Brittany against Alan's grandfather, Conan II. Hostilities continued, and by 1086 Conan was forced to abandon his duchy after William I of England invasion.

Peace was reached that same year, and in the negotiations that followed Alan IV was forced into marriage with King William I's second daughter Constance.¹ The marriage ceremonies may have taken place in Bayeux in Normandy. William of Malmesbury wrote that Constance was unpopular at the Breton court because of her "sever and conservative" manner.¹ William of Malmesbury also alleged that Alan VI had Constance poisoned to death, but this remained unverified¹ However, Orderic Vitalis wrote that as duchess Constance did all she could to further the welfare of the Bretons, who grieved deeply at her death in 1090.¹

In 1092 Alan IV donated property to the abbey of Redon by charter, and by 1093 married Ermengarde of Anjou, as a political alliance with Fulk IV of Anjou to counter Anglo-Norman influence.¹ With Ermengarde he had two sons, Geoffrey, who died young, and Conan, and a daughter, Hawise (who married Count Baldwin VII of Flanders), who was possibly named after Alan's mother.¹

Crusader

In 1098 Alan went on the First Crusade, leaving Ermengarde as his regent, and returned in 1101.

Abdication and Death

Alan IV abdicated in 1112, and he and Ermengarde were separated after this. The former Duke retired to the monastery of Redon, where he died in 1119.

His illegitimate son was Brien FitzCount.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Brittany Genealogy extracted Feb 1, 2008

External links

http://patp.us/genealogy/conq/richmond.aspx

Preceded by Hawise Hoel II regent from 1072-1084	Duke of Brittany 1084–1112	Succeeded by Conan III