Herleva (de Conteville)
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About
Herleva of Falaise was the mother of William the Conqueror. She was not married to his father, Duke Robert, and tradition makes her a tanner's daughter. Her son was called William the Bastard for most of his life, and it made no difference at all to what he became or to who descends from him.
Research notes
~ per the disputed rung (web-confirmed 25 Jul 2026): HERLEVA (Herleve) OF FALAISE (c.1003-c.1050) - the mother of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR (I99586) by Duke Robert I of Normandy, and by her husband Herluin de Conteville the mother of Bishop Odo and Robert of Mortain. This family's connection to her runs through her traditional daughter Emma de Conteville (our line) - a link GRADED ~ per C.P. Lewis (2014). If it holds, the tree touches the Conqueror's own mother by a second, collateral route; the Norman ducal house above (Duke Robert I <- Richard II <- ... <- Rollo) is note-only/extendable. Added 25 Jul 2026.