Robert: The Wayward Prince

When William the Conqueror died at the age of 59, he left a mess for his sons to sort out between themselves. Little did he know that the dynasty he had created, or hoped to have created, would last only ten years longer than the conqueror himself. The eldest of his three sons, Robert, Duke of Normandy, was denied his father’s crown as he lay dying. Austin Hernon delves into the history of this dysfunctional family to find out why the crown of England was passed to Robert’s flamboyant brother, Rufus, and why the first-born prince has been seemingly erased from history.

Robert - The Wayward Prince is the first of two books to dig beneath the scurrilous spin-doctors of King Henry I and later propagandists, who were anxious to bury the true story, shining a light on a man as remarkable for his achievements as he is for his perceived failures. “There has been a deliberate attempt to airbrush the man out of history,” Hernon explains, “despite his significant exploits across the European stage.” He believes Robert might still be an embarrassment to some, particularly the church, for the way he has been treated, and by ‘outing’ his story he attempts to right an injustice that is centuries old.

“This man should have been King Robert I of England, and why he was prevented from that position is a fascinating insight into the European mindset of the time. Read these books, then go and visit Robert in Gloucester Cathedral, where he lies in effigy. Ask yourself questions about ambition, loyalty and treachery, and see where Robert really fits into history,” the author encourages readers to see the history of this man in a different light.