Saxon Thegn

People of 1066AD - Remigius de Fécamp

⛪⚜️ Remigius de Fécamp — Normandy Holdings (1066)

Remigius de Fécamp (c.1030s–1092), Benedictine monk, Almoner of Fécamp Abbey, later Bishop of Dorchester and Lincoln. A relative of William the Conqueror in some unknown degree.¹

⚠️ NOTE ON NORMANDY HOLDINGS: Remigius held no secular lordship or landed fief in Normandy. His continental position was entirely ecclesiastical — he was a monk and almoner of Fécamp Abbey. His contribution to the Conquest was made from his monastic office, not from personal estates.²

1. Fécamp Abbey — monastic office

Abbaye de la Trinité de Fécamp

Monk of Fécamp: Remigius was a Benedictine monk at Fécamp Abbey, one of the great abbeys of Normandy.³
Almoner: Held the office of almoner at Fécamp, responsible for distributing alms to the poor. This information derives from the Ship List.⁴
Relation to William: Remigius was related to King William in some unknown manner, possibly through descent from an earlier ducal concubine.⁵

⛵ 2. Contribution to the Conquest

Ship List evidence: The Ship List records that Remigius contributed one ship and 20 knights to Duke William's invasion fleet. This contribution was made from his position at Fécamp, not from personal estates.⁶
Alternative account: Gerald of Wales claimed Remigius was in charge of Fécamp's contribution of 10 knights, but this is considered less reliable.⁷
Battle of Hastings: Henry of Huntingdon states Remigius was present at Hastings in 1066.⁸

3. Norman associations — family lands

Walter d'Aincourt: Remigius was related to Walter d'Aincourt, whose family held lands near Fécamp. This relationship is documented on a lead plate found in D'Aincourt's grave at Lincoln Cathedral.⁹

REFERENCES
1. Bates, D. 'Remigius', ODNB (2004).
2. Bates, D. Bishop Remigius of Lincoln (1992), pp. 15-17.
3. Henry of Huntingdon, Historia Anglorum, ed. Greenway, p. 390.
4. Van Houts, E. 'The Ship List of William the Conqueror', ANS X (1988), pp. 159-183.
5. Bates, D. 'Remigius', ODNB.
6. Ship List, Battle Abbey manuscript.
7. Gerald of Wales, Vita S. Remigii.
8. Henry of Huntingdon, p. 390.
9. Dugdale, W. Monasticon Anglicanum, vol. III, p. 126.

⏺️ FOOTNOTES: Remigius held no secular Norman lands. His contribution was made as a monastic officer of Fécamp Abbey. English bishoprics and estates excluded.