EUDES[Odo] ([1036/38]-[Antioch/Palermo] [2/6] Jan 1097, bur Palermo Cathedral). Guillaume of Jumièges names “Herleva Fulberti cubicularii ducis filia” as the mother of “Willelmus...ex concubina Roberti ducis...natus“, and that after Duke Robert died “Herluinus...miles” married her by whom he had “duos filios Odonem et Robertum”[856]. The birth date of Eudes is estimated on the assumption that Guillaume of Jumièges is correct (which is not beyond doubt, as noted above). Orderic Vitalis records that Guillaume Duke of Normandy granted “multis honoribus in Normannia et Anglia” to “Herluinus...de Contavilla...filios eius: Radulfus, quem de alia conjuge procreaverat, fratresque suos uterinos: Odonis et Rodbertum”[857]. Florence of Worcester names Eudes as the brother of King William I "but only on his mother's side"[858]. Bishop of Bayeux 1050 (when Eudes must have been an adolescent, assuming that his birth date is correctly estimated as shown above). Guillaume of Jumièges records that, after the death of “Hugo filius Rodulphi comitis Baiocensis episcopus”, Guillaume II Duke of Normandy appointed “Odoni fratri suo” to the bishopric of Bayeux, a position he held for nearly 50 years[859]. He is said to have taken an active part in the preparation of the Norman invasion of England and was present at the battle of Hastings 23 Oct 1066. The Brevis Relatio de Origine Willelmi Conquestoris records that "Odone episcopo de Baiocis" contributed 120 ships towards the invasion of England in 1066[860]. His half-brother William I King of England rewarded him with a grant of over 500 manors in England and created him Earl of Kent in 1067[861]. Orderic Vitalis records that King William installed “Guillermum Osberni filium” at his new fortress at Winchester (“intra mœnia Guentæ”) and appointed him “vice sua toti regno versus Aquilonem”, while he granted “Doveram...totamque Cantiam” to “Odoni fratri suo”, and thus he entrusted “his duobus præfecturam Angliæ”, seconded by “Hugonem de Grentemaisnilio et Hugonem de Monteforti, Guillelmumque de Garenna”, dated to 1067[862]. Florence of Worcester records that King William left "fratrumque suum Odonem Baiocensem episcopum et Willelmum filium Osberni quem in Herefordensi provincia comitum" when he went to Normandy 21 Feb [1067][863]. He was one of the leaders of the force which suppressed the rebellion of the earls of Norfolk and Hereford in 1075[864]. He began scheming to become Pope, sending great gifts to influential men in Rome, but was arrested by King William and sent to Normandy where he was a prisoner in Rouen between 1082 and 1087[865]. Orderic Vitalis records that King William captured “Odoni fratri suo...in insula Vecta” and held him in prison for four years “pro nimietate sua”[866]. He was released by King William on his deathbed[867]. Although King William II restored Eudes to his earldom, he was one of the leaders of the rebellion in 1088 which sought to put Robert Duke of Normandy on the English throne[868]. He was banished from England and all his honours and possessions forfeited. He became chief adviser to Duke Robert in Normandy[869]. Orderic Vitalis records that Bishop Eudes died “in urbem Panormitanam, quam vulgo Palernam vocant” and that “Gislebertus Ebroicensis episcopus” buried him “in metropolitana sanctæ Dei genetricis Mariæ basilica”, adding that he had been appointed “ab adolescentia sua” (which supports that the theory that he was born after the death of Robert II Duke of Normandy, as discussed above)[870]. William of Malmesbury records that he left on the First Crusade with Robert III Duke of Normandy and died “Antiochiæ, in obsidione Christianorum”[871]. The necrology of Jumièges records the death 2 Jan of “Odo episcopus”[872]. Bishop Eudes had one illegitimate son
