Raoul II of Tosny


Raoul II de Tosny seigneur de Conches-en-Ouche was a Norman nobleman of the House of Tosny, son of Roger I of Tosny. He was active in Normandy, England and Wales.

Hastings in 1066

He is one of the few proven companions of William the Conqueror known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Tradition says he gave up the role of standard bearer, his hereditary office, to Walter Giffard, in order to be able to fight closer to William, duke of Normandy.

Feud

Raoul became embroiled in a feud with Guillaume d'Evreux due to a disagreement between Guillaume's wife Helvise de Nevers and his wife, Isabel. This came to open war in 1091–92, when Guillaume attacked Conches. A settlement was reached. They later co-operated in attacking Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester's county of Meulan.
Raoul had widely spread holdings, his seat was at Flamstead in Hertfordshire, while he held lands in western Gloucestershire. He was granted Clifford Castle, and it is also believed that he held assets in the village of Hose, Leicestershire, which was split into two manors, Tosny's and that of the title holder of the Norman Belvoir Castle.

Family

Raoul married Isabel de Montfort, daughter of Simon I de Montfort. They had: