About Alan the Black
Lived 1001 – 1098 (aged 96–97). Alan the Black was a feudatory.
Alan the Black (, ; died 1098) was the second lord of the Honour of Richmond from 1093 until his death. He was a younger son of Odo, Count of Penthièvre. He succeeded his elder brother, Alan Rufus ("Alan the Red"), at Richmond. There is no record of him being in England prior to 1093.
Alan either had an affair with, or was married to, the nun Gunnhild of Wilton Abbey, a daughter of King Harold II. Gunnhild had earlier eloped with his elder brother. There is contemporary documentation that after the death of Alan Rufus in 1093, Gunnhild lived with Alan the Black. Before this, there is no record of Alan having any wife; there is no record of children. He was succeeded at Richmond by another brother, Stephen, Count of Tréguier.
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Important facts
People in Alan the Black's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Alan the Black?
French noble
When was Alan the Black born?
Alan the Black was born in 1001.
When did Alan the Black die?
Alan the Black died in 1098.
What was Alan the Black's occupation?
Alan the Black was a feudatory.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alan the Black. https://biography.guide/alan-the-black/
MLA: "Alan the Black." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alan-the-black/.
Chicago: "Alan the Black." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alan-the-black/.
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