Odo of Bayeux
Odo, bishop of Bayeux wouldn't win any prizes for uncle of the year. Not happy just annoying one king of England he decided to vex two – his brother and nephew!
Odo was the half brother of William I and at one time he held a very high position within England, his wealth and power almost rivaled Williams. Odo played an important part of the conquest of 1066 by being responsible for finding the ships to transport William's army over the channel. In 1067 Odo became the earl of Kent, one of the richest parts of England. When William was away from England in Normandy Odo often took control of affairs in England and put down any threats of rebellion.
In 1082 Odo got a bit carried away and tried to raise an army without the king's consent. It is believed he wanted to gain influence over the pope, I guess by force! William was not too impressed with this behavior and had Odo imprisoned. Odo and William were never reconciled and Odo spent the rest of William's life imprisoned.
On his deathbed in 1087, William reluctantly allowed Odo his freedom and instructed his son, William Rufus to oversea his release. If only William Rufus knew what he was about to do.
Obviously, Odo had been brooding in his cell and his release gave him the opportunity to exact revenge. A year later Odo was one of the chief instigators of a plot against William II. His plan was to unite Normandy and England under the rule of William's brother Robert. Robert, who was feckless, and didn't manage to join his supporters in England and shortly their plot failed. Odo was allowed to leave England and he joined Robert in Normandy.
Odo went with Robert on crusade (William must have been pleased to be rid of two troublesome family members) but he did not come back dying in Palermo in 1097.
Odo was the half brother of William I and at one time he held a very high position within England, his wealth and power almost rivaled Williams. Odo played an important part of the conquest of 1066 by being responsible for finding the ships to transport William's army over the channel. In 1067 Odo became the earl of Kent, one of the richest parts of England. When William was away from England in Normandy Odo often took control of affairs in England and put down any threats of rebellion.
In 1082 Odo got a bit carried away and tried to raise an army without the king's consent. It is believed he wanted to gain influence over the pope, I guess by force! William was not too impressed with this behavior and had Odo imprisoned. Odo and William were never reconciled and Odo spent the rest of William's life imprisoned.
On his deathbed in 1087, William reluctantly allowed Odo his freedom and instructed his son, William Rufus to oversea his release. If only William Rufus knew what he was about to do.
Obviously, Odo had been brooding in his cell and his release gave him the opportunity to exact revenge. A year later Odo was one of the chief instigators of a plot against William II. His plan was to unite Normandy and England under the rule of William's brother Robert. Robert, who was feckless, and didn't manage to join his supporters in England and shortly their plot failed. Odo was allowed to leave England and he joined Robert in Normandy.
Odo went with Robert on crusade (William must have been pleased to be rid of two troublesome family members) but he did not come back dying in Palermo in 1097.
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Article added: 2006-06-09 @ 6:18 am | Last Modified: 2006-06-15 @ 12:12 pm
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