Breton–Norman War | |||||||
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Part of Middle Ages | |||||||
![]() The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the Battle of Dinan, one of the decisive battles of the war. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Harold Godwinson William, Duke of Normandy Rivallon I of Dol-Combourg | Conan II of Brittany |
The Breton–Norman War was fought between the Duchy of Brittany and the Duchy of Normandy in the 11th century.
War[]

In this portion of the Bayeux Tapestry, some troops are depicted throwing spears, while others are trying to burn down the defenses
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Brittany, an independent Celtic duchy, had a traditional rivalry with neighboring Normandy. The 1064–1065 war between Brittany and Normandy was sparked after William the Conqueror, as Duke of Normandy, supported Rivallon I of Dol's rebellion against the hereditary Duke of Brittany, Conan II.[1]
In 1065, the year before his invasion of Anglo-Saxon England, William of Normandy sent word to the surrounding countries (including Brittany), warning them against attacking his lands, on the grounds that his mission bore the papal banner.[2] However, Conan promptly informed the duke that he would take the opportunity to invade the latter's Duchy. William's army set out for battle. While outside the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel, two Norman soldiers became mired in quicksand, and Harold Godwinson, future King of England saved them. William, perhaps to impress Harold, invited him to accompany him on a campaign against Conan II.
Battle of Dinan[]
The Battle of Dinan occurred in 1065. Harold fought on the side of William. Their combined armies chased Conan from Dol-de-Bretagne to Rennes, and he finally surrendered at Château de Dinan, Brittany. The battle is recalled in the Bayeux Tapestry (see illustration).[3]
Conan's 1066 campaign and death[]
During Conan's 1066 campaign against Anjou, he took Pouancé and Segré, and arrived in Château-Gontier. There he was found dead after donning poisoned riding gloves. Duke William was widely suspected.[2]
Aftermath[]
Conan II was succeeded by his sister, Hawise, whose marriage to Hoel of Cornwall may have been a political move to consolidate and stabilize the east and west regions of the duchy.
References[]
Further reading[]
- Howarth, David Armine (2008). 1066: The Year of the Conquest. Paw Prints. ISBN 978-1-4395-1242-5. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=NF6bPwAACAAJ&dq=Howarth,+1066:+The+Year+of+the+Conquest&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sMonT7uhFobC0QWqv8DfBA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA.
The original article can be found at Breton–Norman War and the edit history here.