SIRE DE GACE.

Wace (l. 13656) mentions "cil de Gascie," who came from Gace in the arrondissement of Argentan in Normandy. Robert de Gace, son of Rodolph, the son of Robert, archbishop of Rouen, and comte d'Evreux, died without issue in 1063, making his cousin, William, count of Evreux, his sole heir, but duke William seized and confiscated his estates and they apparently remained a part of the ducal domain until 1089. At this time Fulk le Rechin, count of Anjou, sought of William, count of Evreux, the lovely Bertrade, his niece, in marriage. Count William agreed to grant the request providing duke Robert Courteheuse would restore to him the lands which rightfully were his, including those of "my paternal uncle Raoul, called 'Tete d'Ane,' for Robert de Gassie, son of Raoul, has made me his sole heir." Consequently there was no sire de Gace at the time of the conquest, nor is it known what member of the house Wace may have referred to. Raoul de Gace was the instigator of the murder of Gilbert, count of Brionne, which foul deed was carried out according to Jumieges by two of the family of Giroie, Odon le Gros and Robert Fitz Giroie, while Orderic Vital ascribes it to Robert de Vitot -probably all three were concerned in it- regarding which Orderic remarks: "Robert de Vitot was banished for assassinating count Gilbert." This Robert was later pardoned and fought in the battle of Hastings, since Orderic adds: "Robert de Vitot after some time reconciled himself with the duke and was restored to his lordship . . . not long afterwards the war with England, in which he was wounded in the cheek, being ended, he fell sick of a mortal disease." The name appears on the rolls of Guillaume Tailleur, Holinshed and,Duchesne.

--(This name appears on the Falaise Roll).