Conan III, Duke of Brittany

Conan III, Duke of Brittany

Conan III of Cornwall or the Fat (c. 1093-1096 – September 17, 1148), (Breton Konan III a Vreizh, and Konan Kerne) was duke of Brittany, from 1112 to his death. He was son of Duke Alan IV and Ermengarde of Anjou.

Conan III allied himself with Stephen of England in his war against the dispossessed Empress Matilda. For his support, Stephen created for Conan's son-in-law Alan the title 1st Earl of Richmond.

He married, before 1113, Maude, an illegitimate daughter of King Henry I of England. With Maude he had three children, Hoel, Bertha (b.c. 1114), and Constance. Later, when his son-in-law Alan died in 1146, Bertha returned home from England.

On his death-bed in 1148, Conan III disinherited Hoel from succession to the Duchy, stating that he was illegitimate and no son of his. By this surprise move Bertha became his heiress and successor. However, Hoel was to retain the county of Nantes.

See also

  • Dukes of Brittany family tree
Preceded by
Alan IV
Duke of Brittany
1112–1148
Succeeded by
Bertha