The Norman Conquest of Maine (1063–1064) and Its Role in William’s Rise to Power

By 1063, the County of Maine was in Angevin hands, but a succession crisis following the death of Count Herbert II in 1062 created an opportunity for Duke William of Normandy to assert his own claim over the region. This campaign, marked by stiff resistance from Fulk IV of Anjou and local barons, was crucial in securing Normandy’s southern border and setting the stage for William’s invasion of England in 1066.

Competing Claims to Maine

After Herbert II’s death, two rival factions vied for control of Maine:

1. William’s Claim via Margaret of Maine

   • Herbert II’s young sister, Margaret, was betrothed to William’s son, Robert Curthose.
   • William claimed the county in her name, arguing that this secured her rightful inheritance.

2. The Claim of Biota and Walter of the Vexin

   • Biota, Herbert II’s aunt, and her husband, Walter, Count of the Vexin, asserted their own claim to the county.
   • They gained support from local barons and the Angevins, creating a strong opposition to Norman rule.

William’s Military Campaign (1063–1064)

• In 1063, William invaded Maine in force, launching a well-coordinated attack on the county’s key strongholds.
• The invasion met heavy resistance from:
  • Fulk IV of Anjou, who sought to keep Maine under Angevin control.
  • Local barons, such as Geoffrey of Mayenne and Hubert de Sainte-Suzanne, who resisted Norman domination.
• Despite the stiff opposition, William overran Maine by early 1064, effectively bringing it under Norman control.

The Fate of Biota and Walter: Allegations of Poisoning (1063)

• Biota and Walter were captured when William took Le Mans, the capital of Maine.
• Sometime later in 1063, both died under mysterious circumstances, leading to rumors that they had been poisoned by the Normans.
• Their deaths eliminated the rival claim to Maine, leaving William’s rule uncontested.

Significance and Impact of the Conquest of Maine

• Securing Maine ensured William’s southern border, neutralizing Angevin threats before his campaign in England.
• Maine’s conquest reinforced William’s reputation as a formidable military leader, proving his ability to subdue rebellious barons and rival claimants.
• The county’s strategic location gave Normandy a stronger defensive position, allowing William to shift his focus toward his claim on the English throne.

The Norman conquest of Maine (1063–1064) was a key prelude to the Norman Conquest of England, giving William the territorial security and strategic advantage needed for his historic invasion in 1066.

The Revolt of Le Mans and the Restoration of Maine (1069–1070)

In 1069, the citizens of Le Mans rose in revolt against Norman rule, expelling their occupiers and restoring local control over the County of Maine. By 1070, the Normans had been fully driven out, and young Hugh V was proclaimed Count of Maine, ending William of Normandy’s brief control over the region.

The Revolt Against Norman Rule (1069)

• Norman forces had occupied Maine since William’s conquest of the county in 1063–1064, but their rule was deeply unpopular.
• In 1069, the citizens of Le Mans initiated an uprising, challenging Norman authority.
• Their rebellion quickly gained support from local barons, most notably Geoffrey of Mayenne, a key figure in Maine’s anti-Norman resistance.
• The Normans struggled to contain the insurrection, and by 1070, they were expelled from the county.

Hugh V Becomes Count of Maine

• Following the expulsion of the Normans, the Manceaux proclaimed Hugh V as the new Count of Maine.
• Hugh was the son of Azzo d’Este, an Italian nobleman, and Gersendis of Maine, a sister of the late Count Hugh IV.
• Despite his son’s new title, Azzo d’Este returned to Italy, leaving Gersendis to govern the county.

The Rise of Geoffrey of Mayenne

• In practice, the real power in Maine did not rest with Gersendis but with Geoffrey of Mayenne, a leading baron who had played a major role in the revolt.
• Geoffrey essentially ruled in all but name, securing Maine’s independence from Normandy and acting as the de facto leader of the county.

Consequences and the Future of Maine

• The expulsion of the Normans from Maine in 1070 marked a temporary reversal of William’s territorial expansion.
• Geoffrey of Mayenne’s control over the region ensured that Maine remained independent for now, though the Normans would return in later years.
• This revolt weakened Norman influence in northern France, as William now had to focus on consolidating his rule in England, leaving Maine’s political fate uncertain.

The 1069–1070 revolt in Maine proved that Norman rule was not unchallenged, and while Hugh V was proclaimed count, the real power remained with local barons like Geoffrey of Mayenne, setting the stage for further struggles between Maine and Normandy.

The Rebellion of Hubert de Beaumont-au-Maine and the Siege of Sainte-Suzanne (1084–1086)

By 1084, William the Conqueror was once again facing rebellion in Maine, a region that had remained difficult to control despite its conquest in 1063–1064. This time, the uprising was led by Hubert de Beaumont-au-Maine, who resisted Norman authority from his stronghold at Sainte-Suzanne. The resulting siege of Sainte-Suzanne lasted at least two years, marking one of William’s most prolonged and challenging military campaigns in his later reign.

Hubert de Beaumont-au-Maine’s Rebellion (1084)

• Hubert was a prominent lord in Maine and one of the leading figures resisting Norman rule in the region.
• The county of Maine had always been restless under Norman occupation, and Hubert likely capitalized on local discontent to assert greater independence.
• His fortress at Sainte-Suzanne became the center of resistance, as William’s forces laid siege to the castle in an effort to suppress the revolt.

The Siege of Sainte-Suzanne (1084–1086)

• The Norman army besieged Sainte-Suzanne for at least two years, but the castle proved difficult to capture.
• Despite William’s formidable military reputation, his forces struggled to take the fortress, making it one of the few instances where William faced prolonged resistance without a decisive victory.
• After a long stalemate, Hubert eventually negotiated peace with William and was restored to favor.

Consequences and Significance

• The prolonged resistance at Sainte-Suzanne showed that Norman control over Maine was still unstable, even decades after William’s initial conquest.
• William’s willingness to reconcile with Hubert rather than continue the costly siege reflected his practical approach to governance in his later years.
• Though Maine remained nominally under Norman control, its unrest and semi-independent nobility continued to pose challenges for William’s successors.

The rebellion of Hubert de Beaumont-au-Maine (1084–1086) and the siege of Sainte-Suzanne marked one of the few instances where William’s forces struggled to suppress opposition, illustrating the limits of Norman power in contested regions like Maine.