In 1065, the year before his invasion of Anglo-Saxon England, William of Normandy sent word to the surrounding countries (including Brittany), warning them against attacking his lands, while he was away on the grounds that his mission bore the papal banner.Шаблон:Sfn However, Duke Conan promptly informed the Norman Duke that he would take the opportunity to invade the latter's Duchy.
Файл:Bayeux Tapestry scene19 detail Castle Dinan.jpgScene from Bayeux Tapestry (c.1066) showing Breton defenders within the castle of Dinan throwing down spears onto the Norman attackers, whilst some of the latter hold burning torches with which to burn down the wooden fortificationsФайл:BayeuxTapestryScene20.jpgET CUNAN CLAVES PORREXIT ("and Conan passed out the keys"), scene from Bayeux Tapestry (c.1066) showing Conan II, Duke of Brittany (d.1066) surrendering the keys (hanging from the tip of a lance) to the castle of Dinan, to the forces of William, Duke of Normandy, following the siege and Battle of Dinan
Battle of Dinan
The Battle of Dinan occurred in 1065. Harold fought on the side of Duke William, whose army had chased Duke Conan from Dol-de-Bretagne to Rennes. Duke Conan finally surrendered at Château de Dinan, Brittany. The battle is recalled in the Bayeux Tapestry (see illustration).[2]
Death of the Breton lord
During Duke Conan's 1066 campaign against Anjou, he took Pouancé and Segré, and arrived in Château-Gontier. There he was found dead on 11 December after donning poisoned riding gloves. Duke William was widely suspected.Шаблон:Sfn
Aftermath
Duke Conan II was succeeded by his sister, Hawise, whose marriage to Hoel of Cornwall may have been a political move to consolidate and stabilize the east and west regions of the duchy.
Bretons would eventually invade England with the Normans in 1066 mainly as cavalry, which they specialized in.
