The
Honour of Richmond had been founded by Alan's uncle, Count
Alan Rufus, who had died heirless, so it passed to a younger brother, Count
Alan the Black, and then to a yet younger brother, namely Count Stephen. After Count Stephen's death in 1135/6, his Breton lands were inherited by his eldest son, Geoffrey Boterel II, whereas his English lands, the Honour of Richmond, went to Alan. During
the Anarchy, Geoffrey supported the dispossessed
Empress Matilda and her husband
Geoffrey of Anjou, while Alan allied with King Stephen. Alan married
Bertha of Brittany, daughter of
Conan III, Duke of Brittany, in a politically arranged marriage, perhaps in a move to draw Brittany onto Stephen's side in the conflict against Empress Matilda. In part to promote the alliance with Conan III of Brittany. Stephen created Alan 1st Earl of Richmond. Additionally, Stephen recognized Alan as
Earl of Cornwall, in recognition of another of Alan's uncles,
Brian, who, Alan claimed, had formerly possessed Cornwall. After the
Battle of Lincoln (1141), Alan was captured by
Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester and tortured until he relinquished his claim to the Earldom of Cornwall. , 1141; Alan is shown to the left of King Stephen; A – Welsh forces; B – Robert of Gloucester; C – Alan; D –
Stephen; E – William; F – Fosse Dyke; G – Lincoln Castle; H – Lincoln Cathedral; I – City of Lincoln; J – River Witham ==Family==