Bishop Odo

Who was Bishop Odo?

Bishop Odo was William's half-brother, and was awarded the earldom of Kent in England, as well as a number of other large estates.

What was Odo's relationship with William like?

Odo and William had the same mother, and probably grew up together. He lent 100 ships to William's invasion fleet and fought at the Battle of Hastings.

How did Odo behave in England?

With William FitzOsbern, Odo was William's regent when he returned to Normandy in 1067. He was very powerful, unpopular with the Anglo-Saxons, and seems to have settled land disputes by himself. He was accused of making land-grabs.

Why did Odo get into trouble?

From 1076, it seems that William was less tolerant of Odo's behaviour.

• ❖ Archbishop Lanfranc took the Church's complaints against Odo to William, and in 1076 Odo was forced to hand back the land he had taken.
• ❖ In 1079, William sent Odo to Northumbria after attacks by the Scottish. Odo reportedly devastated Durham and ransacked the cathedral. He also robbed and extorted people.

Why was Odo sent to prison?

In 1082, Odo was imprisoned by William due to his greed and was not released until the king was on his deathbed.

How did Bishop Odo react to William Rufus?

Bishop Odo, freed from prison in 1087, joined the rebellion to support Robert's claim as king. This may have been because he thought that Robert would be easier to control.

• ❖ Odo's brother, Robert of Mortain, also joined the rebellion.
• ❖ Odo and his brother controlled large areas of the south of England.
• ❖ Odo and Robert of Mortain took refuge in Pevensey Castle, where William Rufus besieged them for six weeks.
• ❖ Both William Rufus' uncles were captured, but Odo managed to escape to Rochester Castle.
• ❖ He waited for help from his nephew, Robert, but it never came. Odo was eventually forced out of the castle by hunger and disease and was exiled.