Robert d'Aguiló
Encyclopedia
Robert d'Aguiló also known as Robert Bordet, was a Norman
adventurer who moved from Normandy
to Catalonia
in the early 12th century. He was a native of Cullei (modern Rabodanges
in Orne
, France
), as reported by Orderic Vitalis
, and his name d'Aguiló is a catalanized form of "d'Aculley" or "de Culley" he adopted after he married the daughter of a Catalan
noble.
In 1124 Robert became governor of the newly-conquered territory of Tudela
and held that post for the next two years. Three years after his term office, on 14 March 1129, he was ceded secular authority in the district of Tarragona
by Olegarius
, Bishop of Barcelona, with the title of "Prince of Tarragona" (princeps Tarraconensis), effectively the archiepiscopate's vidame
or defensor
(defender, advocate). His position in Tarragona he maintained until 1153.
On 24 January 1150 Robert granted the lordship of Riudoms
to Arnau de Palomar
. In 1149 Robert granted a charter to the city of Tarragona, and appointed one Guillem (William) as lord of the city, but Guillem was forced to resign in 1157. This occurred after he attempted to transfer his rights in the city to the Count of Barcelona but Robert rejected the agreement. On 29 April 1157 the lordship of Reus
was granted by Robert to the Church of Tarragona but it was transferred to Bertran de Castellet less than two months later on 3 June. Two years later (1159) an ephemeral agreement between the count, the bishop, and Robert was reached.
Robert was married to Agnes Sibylla (died 1170), and had four sons by her: Guillem (William, died 1168), Robert, Ricard (Richard), and Berenguer (Berengar, who in conjunction with Guillem, assassinated Bishop Hug de Cervelló in 1171).
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
adventurer who moved from Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
to Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
in the early 12th century. He was a native of Cullei (modern Rabodanges
Rabodanges
Rabodanges is a commune in the Orne department of the Basse-Normandie region of north-western France.-History:* The former name of the parish was "Culley-sur-Orne" ....
in Orne
Orne
Orne is a department in the northwest of France, named after the river Orne.- History :Orne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution, on March 4, 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Normandy and Perche.- Geography :Orne is in the region of...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
), as reported by Orderic Vitalis
Orderic Vitalis
Orderic Vitalis was an English chronicler of Norman ancestry who wrote one of the great contemporary chronicles of 11th and 12th century Normandy and Anglo-Norman England. The modern biographer of Henry I of England, C...
, and his name d'Aguiló is a catalanized form of "d'Aculley" or "de Culley" he adopted after he married the daughter of a Catalan
Catalan people
The Catalans or Catalonians are the people from, or with origins in, Catalonia that form a historical nationality in Spain. The inhabitants of the adjacent portion of southern France are sometimes included in this definition...
noble.
In 1124 Robert became governor of the newly-conquered territory of Tudela
Tudela, Navarre
Tudela is a municipality in Spain, the second city of the autonomous community of Navarre. Its population is around 35,000. Tudela is sited in the Ebro valley. Fast trains running on two-track electrified railways serve the city and two freeways join close to it...
and held that post for the next two years. Three years after his term office, on 14 March 1129, he was ceded secular authority in the district of Tarragona
Tarragona
Tarragona is a city located in the south of Catalonia on the north-east of Spain, by the Mediterranean. It is the capital of the Spanish province of the same name and the capital of the Catalan comarca Tarragonès. In the medieval and modern times it was the capital of the Vegueria of Tarragona...
by Olegarius
Olegarius
Saint Olegarius Bonestruga was the Bishop of Barcelona from 1116 and Archbishop of Tarragona from 1118 until his death...
, Bishop of Barcelona, with the title of "Prince of Tarragona" (princeps Tarraconensis), effectively the archiepiscopate's vidame
Vidame
Vidame, a French corruption of the official Latin term vicedominus , was a feudal title in France...
or defensor
Defensor
Defensor, the Latin word from which Defender and its equivalents in various languages stem, may refer to:-Title or function:*Defensor civitatis, a function in the Roman and Byzantine Empire, with later imitations*defensor matrimonii, in canon law....
(defender, advocate). His position in Tarragona he maintained until 1153.
On 24 January 1150 Robert granted the lordship of Riudoms
Riudoms
Riudoms is a town in the comarca of Baix Camp, province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain, located about five kilometers from the regional capital Reus.The main product is the hazelnut, today in recession, and extra virgin olive oil.-History:...
to Arnau de Palomar
Arnau de Palomar
Arnau de Palomar was the first lord of Riudoms, in Southern Catalonia near the current city of Reus. The lordship of Riudoms was granted to Arnau de Palomar 24 January 1150 by the lord of the City and Land of Tarragona, Robert Bordet ....
. In 1149 Robert granted a charter to the city of Tarragona, and appointed one Guillem (William) as lord of the city, but Guillem was forced to resign in 1157. This occurred after he attempted to transfer his rights in the city to the Count of Barcelona but Robert rejected the agreement. On 29 April 1157 the lordship of Reus
Reus
Reus is the capital of the comarca of Baix Camp, in the province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. The area has always been an important producer of wines and spirits, and gained continental importance at the time of the Phylloxera plague...
was granted by Robert to the Church of Tarragona but it was transferred to Bertran de Castellet less than two months later on 3 June. Two years later (1159) an ephemeral agreement between the count, the bishop, and Robert was reached.
Robert was married to Agnes Sibylla (died 1170), and had four sons by her: Guillem (William, died 1168), Robert, Ricard (Richard), and Berenguer (Berengar, who in conjunction with Guillem, assassinated Bishop Hug de Cervelló in 1171).