Hawise, Duchess of Brittany
Hawise of Rennes was sovereign Duchess of Brittany from 1066 until her death.
She was the second child and heiress of Alan III, Duke of Brittany, by his wife, Bertha of Blois, and as such, a member of the House of Rennes. Hawise succeeded her older brother, Conan II, who was assassinated by poisoning on 11 December 1066.
Little is known of the life of Hawise of Rennes. She was married to Hoel of Cornwall some time before 1058. Hoel exercised authority jure uxoris and continued to control the government after her death in 1072 acting as regent for their son, Alan IV. A second son, Matthew, inherited the county of Nantes.
