William the Conqueror to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Although some of his supporters tried to dissuade him from undertaking the journey, Robert convened a council in January 1035 and had the assembled Norman magnates swear fealty to William as his heir before leaving for Jerusalem. He died in early July at Nicea, on his way back to Normandy. William faced several challenges on becoming duke, including his illegitimate birth and his youth: the evidence indicates that he was either seven or eight years old at the time. He enjoyed the support of his great-uncle, Archbishop Robert, as well as the king of
Frederick, Duke of Lower Lorraine His second wife (1055) was Ida (died 1102), daughter of Bernard II, Duke of Saxony, who remarried with Albert III, Count of Namur, on Frederick's death. Frederick, Duke of Lower Lorraine Frederick, Duke of Lower Lorraine, also known as "Frederick of Luxembourg" ( – 18 May 1065) was the count of Malmedy from 1035 and Duke of Lower Lorraine from 1046. He was a younger son of Frederick, Lord of Gleiberg. In 1044, Gothelo I, duke of both Lorraines, died and his eldest son, Godfrey, succeeded in only the upper duchy while the Emperor Henry III first threatened to give