Earl of Hereford and Norfolk, Ralph de Gael (Ralph of France). Son of Drogo of Mantes, Count of the Véxin, Dreux Comte de Amiens and Godgifu, the daughter of King Æthelred the Unready. He came to Englnad with an uncle (who would be Edward the Confessor), became an earl in the midlands and married Gytha (Agatha) the niece of Godwin, Earl of Wessex. When Edward quarreled with Godwin in 1051, Ralph supported the king by raising taxes, Godwin and his sons left in exile. When Godwin's son, Sweyn died on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, his properties went to Ralph. Ælfgar, the earl of East Anglia, was exiled in 1055 and befriended the ruler of Wales, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. They came to battle Ralph on Oct 24, and thrashed Hereford, after Ralph and his French army led a chaotic retreat, earning him the nickname "The Timid." Ralph died in his early thirties and was buried at the Peterborough Cathedral where he was a benefactor. Ralph's son Harold and Ralph were brought up by King Edward's wife, Edith.
Earl of Hereford and Norfolk, Ralph de Gael (Ralph of France). Son of Drogo of Mantes, Count of the Véxin, Dreux Comte de Amiens and Godgifu, the daughter of King Æthelred the Unready. He came to Englnad with an uncle (who would be Edward the Confessor), became an earl in the midlands and married Gytha (Agatha) the niece of Godwin, Earl of Wessex. When Edward quarreled with Godwin in 1051, Ralph supported the king by raising taxes, Godwin and his sons left in exile. When Godwin's son, Sweyn died on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, his properties went to Ralph. Ælfgar, the earl of East Anglia, was exiled in 1055 and befriended the ruler of Wales, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. They came to battle Ralph on Oct 24, and thrashed Hereford, after Ralph and his French army led a chaotic retreat, earning him the nickname "The Timid." Ralph died in his early thirties and was buried at the Peterborough Cathedral where he was a benefactor. Ralph's son Harold and Ralph were brought up by King Edward's wife, Edith.
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