Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

Eustace is said to have married a sister of Edward the Confessor, Godgifu, who was the widow of Drogo of Dreux, Count of Mantes. In 1051 Eustace, after a visit to his brother-in-law, was returning home to Boulogne and planned to pass the night in Dover. Such was the arrogance of his followers in demanding lodging and hospitality of the Saxon inhabitants that a skirmish broke out with loss of life on both sides. Edward the Confessor was enraged and demanded that the citizens of Dover be summarily punished, but Godwin, Earl of Wessex, advised moderation. The incident underlined the conflict between Anglo-Saxon and Norman in England and precipitated the banishment of Godwin and his sons. In 1066 the Papal Banner was carried by Eustace at the Battle of Hastings, but the next year he changed sides. The People of Dover he had formerly oppressed were now suffering even worse under Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, and they asked Eustace to become their leader in revolt. Accordingly he landed with his men to take the castle, but failed miserably and fled at the news of Odo's approach. He subsequently made peace with William the Conqueror and enjoyed the fruits of the conquest.

See also: Anglo-Saxon; Battle of Hastings; Edward the Confessor; Godwin; Norman; Odo; William the Conqueror

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition) - The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )