Eustace II Count of Boulogne Timeline c1018-1087

Eustace II of Boulogne was born to Count Eustace I of Boulogne and Matilda of Louvaine. He had two younger brothers and a sister. The exact dates of birth of Eustace and his siblings are not known but all are believed to have been born between 1016 and 1022.

Eustace’s brother, Godfrey, was born.

Eustace’s brother, Lambert, was born.

Eustace’s sister, Gerberga, was born.

Eustace married Godgifu, daughter of Aethelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy. This marriage gave Boulogne alliances with both England and Normandy.

Eustace’s brother, Lambert, became Count of Louvain and Brussels.

Eustace’s wife, Godgifu, died.

Eustace supported Godfrey III Duke of Lower Lorraine’s rebellion against the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry III.

Eustace became Eustace II Count of Boulogne after his father died.

Eustace married Ida of Lorraine, daughter of Godfrey III Duke of Lower Lorraine. She was aged about 10 years. They were both closely related, being descended from King Louis II of France and the Pope excommunicated Eustace for making the marriage.

Eustace paid a visit to the court of King Edward the Confessor of England. Although he was on good terms with King Edward, there was no love between Eustace and the family of Earl Godwin, the most important nobleman in England.

Eustace’s brother, Lambert, Count of Louvain and Brussels, died.

A son, Eustace, was born to Eustace II Count of Boulogne and Ida of Lorraine in Boulogne.

A son, Godfrey, was born to Eustace II Count of Boulogne and Ida of Lorraine in Boulogne.

Eustace’s brother, Godfrey, became Bishop of Paris.

A son, Baldwin, was born to Eustace II Count of Boulogne and Ida of Lorraine.

Eustace II Count of Boulogne, was part of the retinue that sailed to England in support of William of Normandy’s claim to the English throne. It is likely that he provided men and ships for the venture.

Battle of Hastings
Eustace fought in this day-long battle for William, against the Anglo-Saxons. His role in the battle varies depending on sources. The Gesta Guillelmi states that he was cowardly and advised William to retreat before being cut down and badly injured during the battle. The Carmen de Hastingae Proelio written shortly after the battle describes Eustace as riding next William cutting down the English. He gave up his horse for William when his was lost and was one of the knights that killed King Harold.

William was crowned King William I of England in Westminster Abbey.

Eustace was given grants of land in England by William I.

Eustace returned to Boulogne.

Odo of Bayeux and William FitzOsbern were left as regents of England when William returned to Normandy.

Eustace of Boulogne was asked by the English to take Dover Castle while Odo of Bayeux was out of Kent. Eustace duly complied but was forced to retreat when he realised that Dover castle was too heavily fortified for him to take. He managed to escape and return to Boulogne but a male relative of his, possibly a nephew, was taken hostage. When William found out about this action he confiscated Eustace’s lands in England. Eustace was later forgiven and had his lands returned.

Work began in Canterbury on a huge embroidery to commemorate the Norman Conquest. It is believed to have been commissioned by Odo for his cathedral in Bayeux. But may have been commissioned by Eustace of Boulogne to present to Odo as appeasement for trying to take Dover Castle in 1067.

Eustace died. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Eustace.