Adela of Normandy
| Adela of Normandy | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Countess of Blois | |
| Tenure | 1089 – 19 May 1102 |
| Born |
c. 1067 Normandy, France |
| Died | 8 March 1137 (aged 69–70) Marcigny-sur-Loire, France |
| Spouse | Stephen II, Count of Blois |
| Issue |
William, Count of Sully Odo of Blois Theobald II, Count of Champagne Adela Stephen, King of England Lucia-Mahaut, Countess of Chester Philip of Blois, Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne Agnes de Puiset Alix of Joigni Henry, Bishop of Winchester Eleanor, Countess of Vermandois |
| Dynasty | Norman |
| Father | William I of England |
| Mother | Matilda of Flanders |
Adela of Normandy, of Blois, or of England (c. 1067 – 8 March 1137), also known as Saint Adela in Roman Catholicism, was, by marriage, Countess of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux. She was a daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was also the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.
Her birthdate is generally believed to be between 1066 and 1070, after her father's accession to the English throne in 1066. She was the favourite sister of King Henry I of England; they were probably the youngest of the Conqueror's children. Adela was a high-spirited and educated woman, with a knowledge of Latin.
She married Stephen Henry, son and heir to the count of Blois, between 1080 and 1083, around her fifteenth birthday. Stephen was nearly twenty years her senior. Stephen inherited Blois, Chartres and Meaux upon his father's death in 1089, as well as lands and right in parts of Berry and Burgundy. Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade in 1096, along with his brother-in-law Robert Curthose. Stephen's letters to Adela form a uniquely intimate insight into the experiences of the Crusade's leaders and show that he trusted Adela to rule as regent while he was on crusade. The Count of Blois returned to France in 1100 bringing with him several cartloads of maps, jewels and other treasures, which he deposited at Chartres. He was, however, under an obligation to the pope for agreements made years earlier and returned to Antioch to participate in the crusade of 1101. He was ultimately killed in an ill-advised charge at the Battle of Ramla in 1102.
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