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NOTE. Death year is only intended indication. This person also had no known surname.
Néel [1]
Note: Cawley refers to Néel as "Néel II" because he is the second Néel in the line that Cawley (FMG) has documented. Some popular genealogies refer to him as Néel III, because these genealogies show an earlier Néel as well.
He was born about 1008 in St Sauveur, Cotentin/Manche, Normandy. [2]
Marriage 1 Spouse Unknown[2] Children
Paul Reed, citing Rev. Statham's "The Descent of the family of Statham" (London, 1925), only mentions Adele, daughter of William de Vernon as a wife of Niel. However, the charter witnessed by Niel and his wife Adele, along with nearly all of their children, took place after all of the children were born. Thus any prior wife would not be indicated. The dates of Niel's 1st children would indicate an earlier wife. The charter did not mention the son Ivo (only sons Roger, William, another William, and Gerard), but did mention two other daughters besides Bilelde (Emma and Mahildis, either one of which could be the daughter that married Robert Bigod). [2]
"…Nielli vicecomitis, Nielli filii eius…" witnessed the charter dated to [1030] under which Robert II Duke of Normandy donated "in comitatu Abrincatensi villam…Sancti Johannis" to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. [1]
"…Willelmus filius Guillelmi, Niellis juvenis, Hatuardus Rex, Hunfredus Namo, Guillelmus filius Ranoldi, Rogerius filius Hunfredi, Joffredus vicecomes, Hugo filius Huberti, Hunfredus Parvus" witnessed the charter dated to [1042] under which Guillaume II Duke of Normandy donated "nostras insulas Serc et Aurrene, propter medietatem Grenere" to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, supported by "Rannulfo filio Anschitilli". [1]
He quarrelled with Ranulph, Count of Bayeux, about the Isles of La Marche. Banished 1045. [3]
Guillaume de Poitou records that "Nigellum præsidem Constantini pagi" supported "Guido filius Burgundionum comitis" in his rebellion, dated to [1047]. Guillaume of Jumièges records that Guillaume II Duke of Normandy granted “castrum Brioci” to “Widonem...filium Rainaldi Burgundionem comitis” who rebelled against the duke with “Nigellum Constantiniensem præsidem” but was defeated at “Valedunas” in 1047. Orderic Vitalis records that "Ranulfum Bajocensem ac Haymonem Dentatum et Nigellum de Constantino" rebelled against Guillaume II Duke of Normandy at the battle "apud Vallesdunas". [1]
"…Nielli vicecomitis…" witnessed the charter dated 1054 under which Guillaume II Duke of Normandy confirmed the donation of "terram…Sancta Columba…dedit Niellus clericus" to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. [1]
"Niellus vicecomes" donated six churches on Guernsey to the abbey of Marmoutier, for the souls of and with the consent of "uxore mea Adila…filiis nostris Rotgerio…et Willelmo, alteroque Willelmo et Girardo…cum sororibus eorum Emma, Bilelde atque Mahelde", by charter dated to [1060], witnessed by "…Ingulfus dapifer, Rogerius filius Toraldi, Unfredus filius Ansquitilli, Rainaldus Foliot, Ricardus de Sturavilla, Gosfridus filius Rotberti Venatoris, Nigellus de Glanvilla, Rodulfus camerarius…Serlus filius Alveredi, Ricardus Britesonis filius". [1]
"There are still extant proofs of the charter of Duke William, by which he gave to the Abbey of Marmoutier the several churches which had belonged to the Vicomtes of St. Sauveur, and which were situated in the Island of Guernsey (Greneroy), one of the Isles of La Manche. Copies of this charter are to be found in the Bibl. National of France, MS. Latin, 3441, t. 1, p. 194; 12,878, f. 150; and 12,880, fol. 15; and in vol. 77 of Baluze's Coll., f. 43. [3]
"This grant included the churches of St. Peter de Portu, St. Andrew de Patenti Pomerio, St. Sanson Episcopi, St. Martin de la Berlosa, St. Mary de Tortevalle, and St. Trinity, with all their tithes of fruits as well as of animals. It was made in the presence of himself, signing as Earl (Comitis), Meheldis, his wife, Robert, his son, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, Geoffrey, Bishop of Constantine, Ralf the Chamberlain, William Fitz Osborn, William de Durvilla (Clinevilla), Ralf Taison, Roger Montgomery, Richard de Belfo, Richard, Vicomte, Gauteu Vifardi, Roger de Bellainonte, and certain clerics. [3]
Earl William described himself as holding this property in dominion, but the true owner, the Vicomte of St. Sauveur, was still a person of consequence out of Normandy, and his family were ancient benefactors of the Abbey of Marmoutier. About the same time (therefore probably in 1048) the monks obtained from the Vicomte of St. Sauveur for a consideration a charter which would be of interest under any circumstances, but which is especially important to this inquiry. Copies are to be found in the Bibl. Natl., MS. Latin, 3441, t. 1, p. 196; Coll. Baluze, vol. 77, f. 58. It is in these words:- "Noverint cuncti futuris nobis temporibus successuri Niellum quondam Vicecomitem Normannensis patriae, auctirizasse Sancto Martino ejusque monachis Majoris Monasterii quicquid comes ejusdem patriae donaverat eis in insula que Grenerolium nominatur, ita ut, si aliquando, favente Deo, reverteretur in supradictam patriam atque in honorem pristinum, unde ejectus erat quando istud fecit auctoramentum, partem quan- dam ex eisdem rebus quam ipse Canonicis Sancti Salvatoris donaverat, et monachis supradictis auctorizare non potestat (?), eosdem canonicis habere permitteret, et tertiam partem quadraginta libraram quas pro prefato acceperat auctoramento monarchis redderet, nisi ejectis canonicis, locum illum ipsi susceperunt, atque aliquos ex se ad habitandum ibidem constituerunt, quod si facere vellent, ipse canonicos expelleret, locumque monachis omni modis liberum traderet, ut in perpetuum. deinceps possiderent et locum et illarum partem rerum et universa postremo que ad eundem pertinent locum." [3]
"To this document were the following witnesses on the part of Nigel's family (de familia mea):-- Ingono senescal, Rainald Foliot, Richard de Sturgavilla, Gaufredi fil. Robert Venator, NIEILLO DE GLANVILLA, and Rudolf Cammerlengo, and a certain number of witnesses on the part of the Abbey. [3]
"There appears to be another charter, made before the same witnesses, in very similar terms, copies of which are also to be found in the Bibl. Natl. Collection; Moreau, vol. Xl., f. 202; Baluze, vol. 77, f. 46; MS. Latin, 5441, iv., p. 125. [3]
"Nigel de St. Sauveur was shortly afterwards restored to his possessions and honours, and by a charter, which is also copied in Latin (MS. 5441, t. 1, p. 195; Coll. Baluze, vol. 77, f. 36; and MS. Latin, 12,878, f. 131, and 12,880, f. 14), he confirmed the possessions of the same six churches to Marmoutier in the presence of Adela, his wife, Roger and William, his sons, Ingulfus dapifer, Rogerus fil. Toraldi, Unfredus filius Anquilli, Rainaldus, Foliot, Richard de Sturevilla (Sturgavilla), Gosfred fil. Robert Venator, NIGELLUS DE GLANVILLA, Rodulphus cameraria (9), Ranulfus Capellanus, Serlus filius Alveredi, Ricardus Britesonis filius, very nearly the same witnesses who attested the former charters made whilst the Albini family was in exile, therefore evidently closely connected with them, as indeed the Christian name of Nigel, in the case of Glanville, would seem to testify." [3]
He married Adela de Brionne, daughter of Gilbert de Brionne "Crespin" Comte d'Eu & his wife ---. "Niellus vicecomes" donated six churches on Guernsey to the abbey of Marmoutier, for the souls of and with the consent of "uxore mea Adila…filiis nostris Rotgerio…et Willelmo, alteroque Willelmo et Girardo…cum sororibus eorum Emma, Bilelde atque Mahelde", by charter dated to [1060]. Her parentage and marriage are confirmed by the charter dated 29 Aug 1060 under which "milite…Richardo…fratribus Willelmo…atque Balduino" donated "Gausberti Villa" to Chartres Saint-Père, which states that "Nigello" married "sororem suam", witnessed by "Willelmus filius Osberti, Walterius Giffardus…Rodbertus Bertrannus, Willelmo Marmio…Willelmus Corbucionis filius…Raberius et Willelmus de Vernone…Bernardus filius Vulmari". [1]
Probably Neel II, vicomte de Cotentin, who married Adela de Brionne and whose children include son Roger[4].
The Chronique de Normandie, based on le Roman de Rou, names "Noel de S. Sauveur le Viconte" among those who took part in the conquest of England in 1066. [1]
"Nigellus vicecomes" founded the abbey of Saint-Sauveur by undated charter, dated to [1080] in the compilation. The charter of his brother Eudes (see above) clarifies that Néel [II] was the founder of Saint-Sauveur. However, the charter dated to [1073], under which William I King of England confirmed the donation by "Nielli filii alterius Nielli", previously made by "suus pater", of six churches on Guernsey to the abbey of Marmoutier[708] suggests that Néel [II] had died before this date. If this is correct, the foundation charter of Saint-Sauveur must be dated to before [1073]. [1]
Founded the Monastery of St. Sauveur in 1080. Nigel de Glanville witnessed his charter as "de familia mea" to Marmoutier in 1042, and again in 1060. [3]
He founded the abbey of Saint-Sauveur by undated charter, dated to [1080] in the compilation. The charter of his brother Eudes clarifies that Néel [II] was the founder of Saint-Sauveur. However, the charter dated to [1073], under which William I King of England confirmed the donation by "Nielli filii alterius Nielli", previously made by "suus pater", of six churches on Guernsey to the abbey of Marmoutier suggests that Néel [II] had died before this date. If this is correct, the foundation charter of Saint-Sauveur must be dated to before [1073]. [1]
He died 1 August, before 1073 or 1092.[1]
He died before 1073. [2]
A manuscript at Caen, which commemorates the death of Abbess Mathilde, daughter of William I King of England, names "Nigello vicecomite, Eudone vicecomite" among the deceased at "sancti Salvatoris de Constantino". The necrology of Saint-Sauveur records the death "pridie Id Aug" of "Nigellus vicecomes qui monachos hic constituit". [1]
A charter dated 1075 records that "comitissa Adeliz, Ricardi comitis filia, Roberti comitis soror" held "castrum…Hulme in Constantino" and that "Guido filius suus" (Guy Comte Palatin de Bourgogne) later granted it to "Nigello vicecomiti". "…Nielli vicecomitis…" witnessed the charter dated to [1047 or before] under which Guillaume II Duke of Normandy confirmed the donation by "Adelelmi…Beatricis uxor eius…Rotberti filius eius" to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. Delisle suggests that Guillaume II Duke of Normandy confiscated his assets after the battle of Val des Dunes. However, the subsequent references in primary sources to Vicomte Néel suggest that this confiscation, if it took place, must have been reversed. [1]
Néel & his wife had eight children: [1]
While popular genealogies cite Néel (II) Vicomte de Cotentin and his wife Adele de Brion as the parents for Ivo, Cawley cites only Neel, Roger, Guillaume, Gerard, Emma, Bileldis, and Mathilde as their children.
Guillaume d'Aubigny was at one time shown as the son of Néel de St. Sauveur II (abt. 0985 - aft. 1066) and his wife Adele Brionne. No basis for this relationship has been found, and the relationship has been disconnected.
It has become clear that Ivo or Yves St Sauveur de Cotentin, who appears in some popular genealogies[7] never in fact existed, and his existence is considered disproven. As a result, he has been de-linked from the following other profiles, which themselves may need further research:
The different generations named Néel St. Sauveur, as well as their associated charters, are sometimes conflated.
See also:
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Featured National Park champion connections: Néel II is 26 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 30 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 26 degrees from George Catlin, 27 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 36 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 26 degrees from George Grinnell, 31 degrees from Anton Kröller, 25 degrees from Stephen Mather, 32 degrees from Kara McKean, 29 degrees from John Muir, 23 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 37 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
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