Richard, Duke of Bernay
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| Richard of Bernay | |
|---|---|
| Royal house | House of Normandy |
| Father | William I |
| Mother | Matilda of Flanders |
| Born | c.1054 Normandy, France |
| Died | c.1081 New Forest, England |
| Burial | Winchester Cathedral |
Richard was born in 1054 in Normandy, France, the second legitimate son of William the Conqueror, King of England and Duke of Normandy. He was installed as Duke of Bernay, part of his father's continental possessions. His older brother, Robert Curthose, was effectively exiled after rebellion, leaving the young Duke as leading claimant to the English throne.
However, Richard was never to be King. In 1081, on a trip over the channel to his father's Kingdom, the young Duke went hunting in the New Forest. The exact nature of the accident is unknown, but Richard was mauled and killed by a stag, leaving his younger brother William as claimant. He was taken from the forest and buried at Winchester Cathedral.
Coincidentally, Richard's younger brother, the new King William, was killed on a hunting trip to the New Forest less than 20 years later, making it rather unlucky for the Norman Royal family.
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Richard, Duke of Bernay
Born: 1054 Died: 1081 |
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| English royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Curthose |
Heir to the English Throne as heir apparent 1077 - 1081 |
Succeeded by William Rufus |
