Baldric Teutonicus De Courcy Lord Bacqueville en Caux

   Other names for Baldric were Baldric the Teutonicus deCourcy and Lord of BACQUEVILLE-EN-CAUX.

  General Notes:

aka Baldric the Teutonicus (deCourcy)
aka Baldricus Tuetonicus (the German) Courcy Caroling
aka Lord Balderic BACQUEVILLE-EN-CAUX

Baldric is a key character in history as he is considered the patriarch of many noble families of France, England and Ireland. Yet there is some question as to his origins. Though many sources trace his bloodlines back through the French Carolingian line, other simply have him arriving as an unknown noble. The Teuton suffix indicates he might have come from what is modern day Germany, but more likely would have been lower Lotharingia (Duchy of Lower Lorraine), a part of the Carolingian lands encompassing the German Rhineland.

The Flanders book, DeCourcy, suggests Baldric was merely an archer who came to the attention of Duke Richard II of Normandy. This assumption is based on a single line in Orderic (Book III), and dismisses significant norms and practices prevalent at the time. Only an exremely well connected noble could move into Normandy, establish himself with a lordship, marry first the Duke's daughter and then a wealthy heiress of the Duke's brother. Also, Baldric provided marriage arrangements and property holdings for all six of his sons - showing a depth of connections consistent with longstanding nobility. These accomplishments are well beyond that of a military journeyman. The Orderic reference to Baldric the Archer refers to Baldric of Bauquencey, and specifically the archer of Duke William. This property holding and reference is almost certainly to Baldric the Teuton's son, also named Baldric, who was established with this property and was of the proper age to be of service to Duke William. Further references confirm this.


Baldric had 6 sons and 2 daughters by at least two wives - though much confusion on the wives. May have initially married an illegitimate daughter of Duke Richard I (Muriella).

Reference is often made to his marriage to the "niece of Gilbert de Brionne". The source for this is Orderic but he may be off by a generation. Here is the quote:

"Baldric was a man of high birth. For Gislebert,
Count de Brionne, nephew of Richard duke of Normandy,
gave his niece in marriage to Baldric the German, who
came into Normandy, with Viger his brother, to take service under the duke. From this marriage sprung six sons, besides several daughters, viz. : Nicholas de Basqueville ; Fulk d'Aunoun ; Robert de Courcy ; Richard de Neuville, Baldric de Bauquencey; and Viger of Apulia. They all distinguished themselves by great valour under Duke William, from whom they received great riches and honours, and left to their heirs vast possessions in Normandy."

The above translated Orderic quote is somewhat problematic in that it does not mention Baldric's first wife (and issue), and it is difficult to reconcile the dates unless the "niece" was much older than one would expect given Gislebert lifespan of 990-1040. This second marriage likely occured about 1000, so this niece would have to have been older than the uncle.

There is no question that Baldric married well at one point, to a daugher associated with the Counts of Brionne and Eu (later referred to as de Clare family). Whether this daughter was from Geoffrey (Godfrey) or brother William (who controlled Eu at one point and much of Exmes area) or one of their respective sons seems unimportant. Also, the daughter's name may have been Aubree, Alice (Alix), Denefacta or Lesceline, again not that important - as the key point is this daughter brought Baldric (and the Courcy family) into the realm of the Dukes of Normandy since Geoffrey (Godfrey) and William were sons of Duke Richard I and half brothers of Richard II. This connection established the DeCourcy family in Normandy.

Much confusion exists about which offspring comes from which wife (and who were the wives). Dates vary, but children are all accounted for and relationships shown are best guess given all sources viewed.


This analysis shows two wives with respective children and years that match
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=ron_custer&id=I062101
Different dates however from this souce:
http://washington.ancestryregister.com/FRANCE100006.htm#i4537
http://www.celtic-casimir.com/webtree/5/31792.htm

According to Orderic Vitalis[1429], "Baldricus Teutonicus" came to Normandy with his brother Wigerius [Viger/Wigerich] to serve Duke Richard II and married the neptis (niece) of Gilbert de Brionne.
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMAN%20NOBILITY.htm#_ftnref1430

Orderic separately makes references to a Baldric as the duke's archer, however this appears to be a different Baldric, most likely his son, also named Baldric, as the reference was referring to Duke William's archer and Baldric of Bauquencey, - the lands inherited by that son. Duke William (the Conqueror) did not take power until 1035, long after Baldric the German had moved east be of service to Duke Richard II about 1000 AD.

Source: Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy by Ordericus Vitalis Vol 1. (Translated by Forester 1853)

  Noted events in his life were:

• Moved to Normandy: To serve friend Richard II Duke of Normandy.

Baldric married Muriella (Alix) (Alice) of Normandy, daughter of Richard I "the Fearless" 3rd Duke of Normandy and Papia (1st Concubine), in 990. (Muriella (Alix) (Alice) of Normandy was born in 970 in Fecamp (Faecamp) Normandy and died in 1020.)

Baldric next married Aubree (Alix) De Brionne, daughter of Count Geoffrey (Godfrey) de Brionne & d'Eu and Hawise (Helois) de Guines, in 1000 in Estimated. (Aubree (Alix) De Brionne was born in 978 in Brionne, Normandy, France and died 1045 ? in Courcy, Champagne-Ardennes, France.)