The Crusades are one of the most interesting and controversial subjects in the Middle Ages. From amongst the host of figures associated with these journeys, the most interesting to most people is Robert of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror. Over time, the marriage of legends, myths, and stories with historical events has, more often than not, made things muddled, and it is unsettling to separate the two.
This is why we will tackle some of the more popular myths associated with Robert’s crusade adventures and subsequently reveal the history of what actually happened.
Myth 1: Robert Was a Reluctant Crusader
Fact: Robert was one of the first noblemen to sign up to fight in the First Crusades (1096–1099), and there are historical documents to prove his zealousness towards the cause. So much so that there is evidence to support that he mortgaged his Duchy of Normandy in order to pay for the expenses of his journey, proving not only his commitment towards the cause but also that he needed the funds.
Myth 2: Robert Went Alone
Fact: Unlike most noblemen, Robert did not take the journey by himself. He was in the company of a very large number of his fellow knights, soldiers, and followers. His rule during the advancement to the Holy Land and in some important battles gained him the respect of his fellow Crusader princes.
Myth 3: Robert single-handedly seized Jerusalem.
Fact: Capturing Jerusalem in 1099 was the result of incredible teamwork. Although Robert of Normandy had a key role in the assaults on the city walls, Richard put Robert’s contribution into a greater context of the combined forces of Godfrey of Bouillon together with Raymond of Toulouse. Pointing out Capturing Jerusalem to Robert alone makes the scope of the entire campaign much smaller.
Myth 4: Robert’s entire reputation rests on the assumption that he returned a king.
Fact: Unlike other crusaders who remained in the Holy Land to create empires, Robert returned to Europe after the campaign was over. He remained a warrior but rather lost out on the chance to create a kingdom in the East. Instead, he returned to Normandy, where he met the contested position happily, where he had to share his rule with his brothers.
Myth 5: Robert’s crusade was a pointless journey.
Fact: Despite Robert’s political struggles, his crusade was anything but a pointless journey. He gained a great deal of prestige and reputation and was a part of one of the most important campaigns. Even if he didn’t manage to earn a throne, his name survived, and he was remembered in chronicles.
The Sources of These Misunderstandings
Legends tend to embellish or oversimplify the past. In Robert’s case, the troubles he faced in Normandy, along with his rivalry with his brothers, could have motivated other storytellers later on. Some chronicle writers, while celebrating his crusader courage, were always careful to put emphasis on his feeble points. In the end, these partial records were the basis of myths that stood on the grey border of fact and fiction.
Conclusion
The adventures of Robert of Normandy in the Crusades were filled with valor, ambition, and intricacy. Some tales could exaggerate how he was the hero of Jerusalem, while others could claim he was the hesitant leader. The reality is that he was a crusader nobleman who fought with other leaders and came back to face old challenges.