Serlo of Hauteville (also spelled Sarlo, fl. between 1027–35) was a son of Tancred of Hauteville by his first wife Muriella. Unlike his brothers, who left for Southern Italy, Serlo remained in Normandy and inherited his father’s possessions.
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Birth order
Goffredo Malaterra records him as being Tancred’s youngest son by Muriella. The Annales of Romuald Guarna, on the other hand, name him as his first son. Since Serlo remained in Normandy to inherit his father’s lands, while his brothers went to southern Italy, it is more probable that Serlo was indeed the eldest son.
Life
Serlo was a soldier of Robert, Duke of Normandy, and he was considered one of the best knights in Normandy.
Goffredo Malaterra records that Serlo was once “wronged” by a powerful man, and thus he killed him. Not to suffer the anger of Duke Robert, as an order to drive him out of the duchy had already been given, he fled to Brittany. From there, he sent envoys to try to secure peace with the Duke, but upon failing, he started to launch raids into Normandy. On one occasion, Duke Robert was besieging a castle called Tillières, on the border between Normandy and France. Supposedly - still according to Malaterra's story - a French soldier left the fortification everyday, seeking single combat with Norman soldiers, but the duke forbade them to challenge him, fearing the loss of his men.
