Robert II (Robert Curthose), c.1054–1134, duke of Normandy
(1087–1106); eldest son of King William I of England. Aided by
King Philip I of France, he rebelled (1077) against his father.
Father and son became reconciled, but Robert was later exiled.
At William's death he inherited Normandy. England fell to his
younger brother William II, with whom Robert was intermittently
at war (1090–96) until Robert went (1096–1100) on the First
Crusade. While he was away, William II died and Henry I,
youngest son of William I, was crowned. Robert invaded (1101)
England but was forced to recognize Henry. In Normandy, Robert's
misgovernment prompted an invasion by Henry (1105), who defeated
(1106) Robert at Tinchebrai, seized Normandy, and kept Robert a
prisoner. See biography by C. W. David (1920). The Columbia
Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia
University Press. All rights reserved. More on Robert II duke of
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