Odo, Earl of Kent

I. Odo of Bayeux (also Eudes or Odon, * after 1030, † 1097 in Palermo) out of the house Conteville was bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent.

Odo was born as the younger son of Herluin of Conte Ville and Herleva, the mother of William the Conqueror. This half-brother, he received the bishopric of Bayeux, which he retained until his death. Odo played a significant role in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which had the conquest of England resulted. It therefore appears in the Bayeux Tapestry, which may have been given of him in order. After the conquest ( 1067) he received the county of Kent and soon became the most powerful and wealthy aristocratic landowners in England. He has held a role for several years, which corresponded to that of a viceroy for his half-brother.

1082 he fell into disgrace with his brother, because he allegedly wanted to appoint to the Pope himself.

He was then imprisoned permanently, but William the Conqueror ordered after much hesitation - only on his deathbed - his release on. Odo joined then in the unsuccessful rebellion against William son, Wilhelm II.

He then withdrew from the national politics and devoted himself to the renewal of its churches entrusted to him. After the Council of Clermont in 1095, where he took part most likely, he joined the First Crusade. On the journey there he died in 1097 in Palermo, where he is buried. Odo was in spite of his duties as a very worldly man, however, has proven for its churches as a benefactor.

613828
de