William III of Ponthieu (c. 1095–20 June 1172), son of Robert II of Bellême and Agnes of Ponthieu. He is also called William (II; III) Talvas. He assumed the county of Ponthieu some time before 1111, upon the death of his mother. His father escaped capture at the battle of Tinchebrai (1106); but later, as envoy for King Louis of France, he went to the English court and was arrested by King Henry of England and was never released from prison. William was naturally driven by this to oppose King Henry, and his allegiance to count Geoffrey of Anjou caused Henry to seize certain of William's castles in Normandy.
Family
His wife was Ala of Burgundy, daughter of Eudes I of Burgundy. The Gesta Normannorum Ducum says that they had four children, two sons and two daughters: Guy II is called "the eldest son", but the editors doubt this; he assumed the county of Ponthieu during his father Talvas' lifetime, but preceded him in death (Guy II died 1147; William Talvas died 1171); his daughters married Juhel, son of Walter of Mayenne, and William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey.
Source
- The Gesta Normannorum Ducum of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis, and Robert of Torigni, edited and translated by Elisabeth M. C. Van Houts, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1995.
| Preceded by Agnes |
Count of Ponthieu | Succeeded by Guy II |
