h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A87896498 Domfront, Normandy, France
I'll be subbing the above and will start next week - subscribe and I'll be back.

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That's good news just let me know when, hope the photos arrived, There will be too many but the point is a good choice.

We've had the photos, we'll just decide which one(s) to pick.

When Guillaume II Talvas was besieged in Domfront Castle by William, what was the outcome? How long did the siege last, and was the siege successful?

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From 1048 to 1052 Guillaume-II-Talvas lost the castle and died shortly after.

Can I also ask for some more details about Henry I and 'He is remembered as the first Norman king to speak fluent English'? I thought it was Henry II who was the first king credited with speaking (Middle) English?

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Apparently opinion is divided

Henry I was an fluent reader in English and Latin its unlikely he did not speak it fluently.

Henry II was an English speaker.

There are also those who support the view that Henry IV was the first

I am quite happy to go with Henry II as H2G2 should go with the majority

Can I ask what you mean by 'Philip VI of France gave Domfront and surrounding country to the Count of Alençon who, in 1367, reunited the towns of Domfront and Alençon'?
I assume the towns weren't packed up and then reassembled next to each other, so was there a border change, or were they reunited administratively?

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correct the towns were reunited in the original dukedom

Hi <BB<will this short paragraph fully answer your question?

During 1342, Philip VI of France gave Domfront and surrounding country to Charles II the Count of Alençon, Joigny 1345 to 1346 and Perche 1345 to 1346In 1367, he formally reunited the towns of Domfront and Alençon. In 1356, troops of Charles II, king of Navarre, also called Charles the Bad, commanded by Sir Robert Knolles, took the Domfront and held it until 1366.

Still have a few questions about this section:
1342 - Philip VI of France gives Domfront to Charles II the Count of Alençon.
1367 – 'he formally reunited the towns of Domfront and Alençon in same Dukedom'
1356 - troops of Charles II, king of Navarre, took the Domfront and held it until 1366.

So who is the 'he' who formerly reunited Domfront and Alencon in 1367? Charles II Count of Alencon died in 1346, so do you mean the next Count of Alencon? Or the king?

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thus footnote might help

At this time all lands were the governed by the king. The most efficient way was to divide the the country into administrative ares and place a trusted Prince, Count or Duke to rule them.
These appointees had the power to raise armies, to enable them to enforce the kings laws, collect taxes and In keep local population in order. In times of war the king could call upon these armies to protect the kingdom.


1342 - King Philip VI of France appointedGives means to rule the area in the kings name, and take a portion of the revenue as his reward for this service. Charles II the Count of Alençon as the custodian of Domfront and the lands surrounding.


1367 – 'Charles II formally reunited the towns of Domfront and Alençon in same FiefAn area of land under the control of an appointed feudal lord or Dukedom'

1356 - troops of Charles II, The King of Navarre, took the Domfront and held the town until 1366.

Thanks for that information – I'll add that to the entry. The question I have is, when did Charles II die, and were the towns of Domfront and Alençon reunited by one of his successors and, if so, by whom?

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Also can you provide more information about the events of 1356, 1417-18 and 1430?

Did Charles II, king of Navarre besiege Domfront? How did he gain possession?

How did the French regain the castle?

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Did Charles II, king of Navarre besiege Domfront?

No his troops were under the command of Sir Robert Knolles an English mercenary knight.

How did he gain possession? The ultimate leader gets the credit even if he is fighting else where

This is the history
https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Robert%20Knolles

After his capture he joined the forces With 800 men under his command of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster who as given the task to ravage Normandy to divide the forces of John II of France.
This diversionary action allowed Edward "the Black Prince" to advance into Poitiers with little opposition.

During the Normandy and Poitiers campaigns Charles II, king of Navarre and his forces successfully attacked Paris. And as the capture of Domfront was a victory for Charles II he was given the credit for the towns capture.


That is the short version there are another 2 entries to enplane properly

. So if Charles II held Domfront until 1366, who reunited the fiefdom in 1367?

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In 1342, Philip VI of France ceded the Domfront country to the
Charles Count of Alençon who, in 1367, reunited Domfront and Alençon. Charles was killed at the battle of Crecy in 1346

What's confusing me is how he reunited the two 21 years after he died? Or am I missing something

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It appears it was Charles III of Peter II of Alençon who died in 1375 but resigned the Dukedom in 1361 in favor of Peter II of Alençon. He left the peerage and took a high position in the church.

NB the dates that come up on some of the french sites are not date of death some are resignation of their noble positions.
It is a little confusing

PS that's an apology

Thanks for the edit