Council of Lillebonne

The Council of Lillebonne was a meeting of the nobles and clergy of Normandy where, among other things, the expedition of
William the Conqueror, then Duke of Normandy, was approved. Wace, the 12th-century historian, wrote of the council, convened
shortly before the actual invasion, likely in January 1066. William of Poitiers, a chronicler of the Norman invasion, claims that the
duke also obtained the consent ofPope Alexander II for the invasion, along with a papal banner.

The council, also called the Norman Council and Assembly of Lillebonne, began with the refusal of
Harold to relinquish the crown of
England. Two such councils were held, a smaller council of trusted advisors and a larger council to discuss the planned conquest.
Relatives and allies of William participated including many of the provenCompanions of William:

Robert, Count of Mortain, half-brother of William

William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford, cousin of William and a proven companion, a strong advocate of the
invasion who convinced the doubters that the mission was feasible
Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, William’s half-brother
Odo, Count of Champagne, William’s brother-in-lae
Richard, Count of Évreux, father of William, Count of Évreux, a proven companion
Hugh of Eu, Bishop of Lisieux, brother of the traitor Busac
Roger de Beaumont, who murdered William’s tormentor Roger I of Tosny, who advised William but did not
participate in the invasion due to his advanced years
Raoul IV de Conches, grandson of Roger of Tosny
Hugh de Grandmesnil, a proven companion of William’s, originally banished but reinstated
Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury , who had previously cursed William
Walter Giffard, Lord of Longueville, a known companion of William’s
Hugh de Montfort, Lord of Montfort-sur-Risle,[1] a known companion of William’s
William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey.
[2] William of Poitiers nevertheless describes the council and
Cajoled by William FitzOsbern, the council approved the invasion plans.
gives an account of a debate that took place between among the nobles and supporters over whether to risk an invasion of England.
Although some formal meeting probably was held, it is unlikely that there was significant debate, as the duke had by then established
control over his nobles, and those assembled would want to secure their share of the rewards from the conquest of England.

Sources
Douglas, David C., William the Conqueror: The Norman Impact Upon England, University of California Press, Berkeley,1964

Freeman, Edward A., The Norman Council and the Assembly of Lillebonne, from The History of the Norman Conquest of England,
Cambridge University Press, London, 2011 (archive)

References
1. "Seigneurs de Montfort-sur-Risle (Bastembourg)"(http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMAN%20NOBILITY
.htm#_T
oc384196844).
2. Freeman, Edward A. (2011).The Norman Council and the Assembly of Lillebonne
.

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