Helias of Saint-Saëns (?–1128), Count of Arques, was a Norman magnate of the late 11th and early 12th centuries. He was a loyal supporter of Robert Curthose (Duke Robert of Normandy) and later served as protector of Robert's son, William Clito. His allegiance to William Clito ultimately brought him into conflict with King Henry I of England, resulting in his voluntary exile from Normandy.
Life
Helias was an important baron in Upper Normandy who held the fortress-stronghold of Saint-Saëns. In 1090, he initially supported William Rufus (King William II of England) against Duke Robert of Normandy and led an attack on Rouen. However, within a year, Duke Robert gave him an illegitimate daughter in marriage, along with the county of Arques and the lordship of Bures-en-Bray as her dowry (maritagium). From that point onward, Helias became a steadfast supporter of Duke Robert and later of his son, William Clito.
In 1094, William Rufus crossed from England and, after failed diplomacy, raised an army of mercenaries at Eu and attacked south into Normandy. His first victory was the capture of Helias' castle at Bures-en-Bray, which was at the time garrisoned by Duke Robert's men.
During the period from 1104 to 1106, Helias supported Robert Curthose. After the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106—in which Robert Curthose was captured and imprisoned by Henry I—Helias appears to have been on curiously good terms with the king. Secure in his victory, Henry encountered the young William Clito (then about three years old) at Falaise and, to demonstrate compassion, placed the boy under the protection of Count Helias. By the time William Clito was seven or eight, he had become the focal point of resistance to Henry I's rule in Normandy, with growing support for him to rival Henry for both Normandy and possibly England.
In 1111, Henry I ordered Robert de Beauchamp, Viscount of Arques, to capture William Clito at the castle of Saint-Saëns. Helias was absent at the time, but before the Viscount arrived, the boy was taken out of Normandy to join Helias. They eventually found safe haven at the court of Baldwin VII, Count of Flanders. Meanwhile, Robert de Beauchamp seized the castle of Saint-Saëns for Henry I, who then granted it to his cousin William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey.
At the Battle of Bremule in 1119, William Clito fought on the side of King Louis VI of France, but Helias did not participate in the battle for unknown reasons. William Clito died in July 1128 from an infected wound suffered during a siege against Thierry of Alsace. His followers, including Helias, kept his death secret and continued fighting. William had written to Henry I requesting pardons for his followers, which Henry granted. Some followers returned to Henry, while others set out on crusade.
Helias died around 1128.
Family
Helias' father was Lambert of Saint-Saëns, son of Richard de Lillebonne, Viscount of Rouen. He descended from one of the nieces of Gunnor, Duchess of Normandy, making him a distant cousin of the English royal family.
