Robert de Bellême: Myth, Brutality, and Power on the Norman‑England Frontier

This episode examines the controversial reputation of Robert de Bellême, the Norman magnate who sat at the crossroads of England and Normandy. By comparing contemporary accounts, later chronicles, and archaeological evidence, we investigate how his actions—castle-building, political intrigues, and reported violence—were viewed by contemporaries and how they have been mythologised over time. We also look at what his career reveals about the limits and ambitions of Norman lords in the early eleventh‑century period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices