Alan Rufus, alternatively Alanus Rufus (Latin), Alan ar Rouz (Breton), Alain le Roux (French) or Alan the Red (c. 1040 – 1093), 1st Lord of Richmond. Breton nobleman, kinsman and companion of William the Conqueror (Duke William II of Normandy) during the Norman Conquest of England. He was the second son of Eozen Penteur (also known as Eudon, Eudo or Odo, Count of Penthièvre) by Orguen Kernev (also known as Agnes of Cornouaille). William the Conqueror granted Alan Rufus a significant English fief, later known as the Honour of Richmond, in about 1071.
He was one of the richest and most powerful men of England. Alan is mentioned as a lord or tenant-in-chief in 1,017 entries of the Domesday Book, behind only King William I and Robert, Count of Mortain in the number of holdings. The most powerful magnate in East Anglia and Yorkshire, he also possessed property in London, in Normandy (e.g. in Rouen and Richemont), and in Brittany. Alan Rufus is third (not including the King and his immediate family) among the barons in terms of annual income, which was about £1,200. His income in the year of his death, 1093, was £1,100.
Alan donated large sums to a number of religious houses, but most famously founded, with King William II, the Benedictine St Mary's Abbey in York in early 1088.
- "Il est appelé le Roux à cause de la couleur de ses cheveux et pour le distinguer de son neveu Alain le Noir." [He is called the Red for the colour of his hair and to distinguish him from his nephew Alan the Black.]" https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_le_Roux
- "A little known French immigrant, Alan Rufus, also known as Alan the Red (Alain le Roux) due to the color of his hair, was the wealthiest person in British history, according to a book entitled The Richest of The Rich, by Philip Beresford and William D Rubinstein, 2007." https://www.bbsa2z.com/blog/post/alan-rufus--one-of-historys-wealthiest
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