Roger Ier de Tosny or Roger of Spain († 1040), is the second member of the Famille of Tosny, an important aristocratic chalk-lining of the Duché of Normandy. It takes part in the Spanish Reconquista, from where its other name Roger of Spain.

Biography

In 1013, Roger keeps with his father Raoul I {{er}} the castle of Tillières on behalf of the duke Richard II of Normandy. A few years later, for an unknown reason, both must be exiled. Whereas the father illustrates himself in Pouille, Roger is made to a name as a combatant the Moslems in Spain. The small Christian States of North accommodate readily the adventurers who can lend to them strong hand for the Reconquista . The Norman one is called by Ermesende, countess regent of Barcelona after the death of her husband Raimond Borrell because the Moslem king Musetus threat its capacity. Roger runs, wife the girl of the countess, terrorizes the Sarrasin S and takes to them many cities and castles.

Adhémar de Chabanais is made the echo of the more or less legendary exploits of Roger. There is gains the nickname of Mangeur of Moors . Adhémar de Chabanais tells that each day, Roger captured Buckwheats. In front of them, it divided one in two from there. First half was pulp and data to be eaten with the other Moslems. With regard to other half, the Norman one claimed to bring back it to the house for his/her companions and him. Roger then allowed some prisoners to flee so that they hawk his horrors.

The marriage inhabitant of Barcelona is dubious. Is Gotelina/Godehildis, the known wife of Roger was not Spanish but his first wife?

Before 1024, Roger, like his father, obtain from the duke Richard II the authorization to return to Normandy. The father dies shortly after.

Roger de Tosny is the true founder of Conches-in-Ouche. It built the Holy-Foy church there (before 1026) then the abbey Saint-Pierre de Castillon (about 1035) where monks of Fécamp settle. This monastery is one of the first of foundation baroniale in Normandy. The charter of foundation reveals that the lord of Tosny has a core of possession around Conches and his forest.

In 1035, the death of the duke Robert Splendid the inaugurates one period of disorders in the duchy. The private wars multiply and Roger, whose relations with its neighbors appear to have been already conflict, is one of the main actors. According to the Norman chroniclers, the lord of Tosny refuses to serve the new duke, the future William the Conqueror, because of his illegitimacy. He benefits especially from the weakness of the ducal capacity to devastate the grounds of his neighbors, in particular those of Onfroy de Vieilles. This last sends then his/her son Roger to fight stirring up it close. About 1040, this last finds death in a battle like his/her two oldest sons, dies a few weeks after continuations of its wounds.

Peace is restored the family of Tosny and her neighbors. The widow Gotelina/Godehildis must marry Richard count d' Évreux.

Family and descent

Father : Raoul I {{er}} of Tosny

Wife :

• the anonymous girl of the countess of Barcelona Ermesende (?)
• Gotelina/Godehildis which marries after the death of Roger the count d' Évreux, Richard

Children :

• Helbert (death in 1040 with his/her father),
• Elinand, ( idem ),
• Raoul II of Tosny, successor of his father
• Robert de Tosny, lord of Stafford,
• Béranger the Spaniard,
• Adelise, wife of Guillaume Wire Osbern
• Berthe, wife of Guy of Laval
• Another son

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