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
Adolf William, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach Adolf married Marie Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. They had five children: Adolf lost all his sons shortly after birth, and his widow was pregnant with their fifth child at the time of his death. Eight days later, a son was born, called Wilhelm August, who inherited the estates of his father (under the regency of his uncle Johann Georg), until his death at only two years of age, whereupon Johann Georg inherited the estates. Adolf William, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach Adolf Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach (Weimar, 15 May 1632 – Eisenach, 21 November 1668), was a duke of Saxe-Eisenach. He was the