Richard III, Duke of Normany

Richard III (997/1001 – 6 August 1027) was the eldest son of Richard II who died in 1026. Richard's short reign lasted less than a year. It opened with a revolt by his brother and finished in his death by unknown causes.

Life
Around 1020, Richard's father sent him in command of a large army to rescue his brother-in-law, Reginald, later Count of Burgundy, by attacking bishop and count Hugh of Chalon, who had captured and imprisoned Reginald.

When Richard II died in August 1026, his eldest son, Richard III became Duke of Normandy. Shortly after his reign began his brother Robert, discontented with his province of Hiemois on the border of Normandy, revolted against his brother. He laid siege to the town of Falaise, but was soon brought to heel by Richard who captured him, then released him on his oath of fealty. No sooner had Richard disbanded his army and returned to Rouen, when he died suddenly (some say suspiciously). The duchy passed to his younger brother Robert I.

Marriage
In January 1027 he was married to Adela, of a noble lineage. She is usually identified with Adela, a younger daughter of King Robert II of France, who after Richard's death 6 August 1027, remarried to Baldwin V, Count of Flanders.

Issue
Richard's marriage to Adela was childless.

By an unknown woman, he had two children:
 * Alice/Alix, who married Ranulph, Viscount of Bayeux
 * Nicolas, Monk at Fecamp, Abbot of Saint-Ouen, Rouen (died 26 Feb 1092)