Guihomar of Léon

Who was Guihomar of Léon?

Guihomar, Guidomar, or Guyomar was the Viscount of Léon from 1168 until his death. He was the son and successor of Harvey. His reign was spent in constant rebellion against his nominal lords in an effort to preserve his historical independence.

In August 1167 Henry II of England marched on Léon and captured or razed Guihomar's major castles, forcing the baron to submit and grant hostages. Guihomar succeeded his father soon after. He followed his father in trying to preserve his de facto independence from ducal authority and foreign influence. Most especially he sought to protect his economic interest in the right of wreck, famously declaring that he possessed "the most valuable of precious stones," a rock which generated 100,000 solidi per annum in revenue due to shipwrecks.

By 1169 Guihomar was in revolt and Henry ordered Conan IV of Brittany, who was also lord of Tréguier, which conveniently marched on Léon, to put down the disturbance. Conan campaigned against him in 1170, defeating him once but failing to secure his submission. After Conan's death in February 1171, Guihomar rebelled once more and Henry himself, marching from Pontorson, led the campaign against him, which culminated in the loss of his castles, all of which were razed save three which Henry kept. Guihomar formally submitted in May at Pontorson. He was ordered to return all lands confiscated from his neighbours or vassals or submit to royal judgement.