General Notes

According to Dudo's "Gesta Normannorum" Gunnora was from the 'noblest house of the Danes' and was 'well versed in the talents of feminine artistry' and 'profusely endowed with the treasure of a capacious memory and power of recollection'.  What little has actually been established about Gunnora's background points to the probability that her parents were first generation settlers with modest lands in the Cotentin.  One of her sisters, Sainsfrida was the wife of a forester in northern Normandy and it was apparently through her that Richard met Gunnora. One story relates that while on a hunting expedition Richard stayed at the forester's house , where he became enamoured of Sainsfrida.  Wanting to retain her virtue while not insulting the Count, she neatly sent her sister to his bed.  (Queen Emma and the Vikings by Harriet O'Brien)

Most, if not all, of Gunnor's children were born while she was the mistress of Richard I of Normandy; however, the couple later married so that their offspring could become the legitimate heirs to the principality.

Gunnor was an important figure at the court of her son Richard II.

She donated land to the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel (where her brother Herfast later became a monk) and gave generously to the churches of Chartres.

Gunnor is celebrated in the satirical poem "Moriuht" by Warner of Rouen, not just as the first lady of land, but as the controlling regent.

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