Notes |
- Alan's father, Flaad (rendered in numerous ways, including Flaald and Flathald), was a son (or possibly a brother) of Alain, dapifer to the Ancient Diocese of Dol, with its see at Dol-de-Bretagne, who had taken part in the First Crusade in 1097. [Wikipedia] Flaad is named as a younger brother of Alan of Dol in documents from the Abbey of St. Florent in 1080.
Flaad and his son Alan had come to the favourable notice of King Henry I of England (son of William the Conqueror) who, soon after his accession, brought Flaad and Alan to England. Henry had been besieged in Mont St Michel during his struggle with his brothers,[1] an event which probably occurred in 1091. He is known to have recruited Breton troops at that time and, after his surrender, left the scene via the adjoining regions of Brittany, where Dol is situated. This is a likely explanation for the Bretons in the military retinue he brought to England after the death of William Rufus. [Wikipedia]
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