Person Page 71

Maud FitzRobert de Caen was born about 1117 in Gloucestershire, England. She and Ranulf de Gernon Meschines were married in 1141 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.^1,2 She died on 29 July 1189, at age ~72, in Chester, Cheshire, England.^1,2

Maud FitzRobert de Caen had person sources.³ Alt. Marriage.⁴

Ranulph le Meschin was born about 1070 in Briquessard, Calvados, Normandy, France. He and Lucy (Lucia) of Mercia were married about 1098.¹ He died JAN 1128/1129 in Chester, Cheshire, England.^1,2 He was buried in St. Werburgh, Chester, Cheshire, England.

Ranulph le Meschin had person sources.³

Sybil de Montgomery was born in 1060 in St. Germain-de-Montgomery, Calvados, Normandy, France. She and Robert Fitz Hamon were married about 1084 in Normandy, France. She died in 1107, at age ~47.

Sybil de Montgomery had person sources.¹

William I ("The Lion") Scotland, The Lion, was born in 1143 in Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, England.¹ He and Ermengarde de Beaumont were married. He died on 4 December 1214, at age ~71, in Castle Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland.¹ He was buried in Abbey Arbroath, Arbroath, Angusshire, Scotland.

Born in 1143, William the Lion was the younger brother of Malcolm IV. A year after his accession, he went to Normand y with Henry II and later spent Easter 1170 at Windsor. I n 1174, however, he joined Henry II's son in his rebellio n against his father, and invaded England. He was capture d at Alnwick, Northumberland and brought to Henry II with ' his feet shackled beneath the belly of his horse.' He was t hen held prisoner first in Yorkshire, later at Northampto n and finally in France. He was released by the terms of th e Treaty of Falaise of 8 December 1174, having been force d to agreeto do homage to Henry II 'for Scotland and for a ll his other lands', and surrender key Scottish castles suc h as Edinburgh and Stirling. As William's feudal lord, Henr y now had the right to arrangehis marriage, and he gave hi m Ermengarde de Beaumont, whose father was the son of an il legitimate daughter of Henry I. William eventually recovere d Scotland from the English king's feudal overlordship, how ever, when Henry II was succeeded by Richard I. Richard, de termined to raise money for his third Crusade, surrendere d his feudal superiority over Scotland for 10,000 merks b y the Quitclaimof Canterbury on 5 December 1189 and Scotla nd was an independent country once more. In 1196-7, Willia m established his sovereignty in Caithness.

Under William, the development of feudal institutions conti nued; in part, the Scottish monarchy's government closely r esembled England's. William established royal burghs in eas tern Scotland up tomoray Firth, and extended the use of sh eriffs in the same area. Perth and Stirling became major ce ntres of royal administration.

William I was a vigorous royal patron of the Scottish Churc h - he founded Arbroath Abbey, Angus in or before 1178. I n 1182 Pope Lucius III sent him the Golden Rose and in 118 8 Pope Clement III tookthe Scottish Church under his speci al protection. In 1192, the Pope granted a Bull to Willia m that recognised the separate identity of the Scottish Chu rch (previously the Church in Scotland had been brought und er the authority of the Archbishop of York), and its indepe ndence of all ecclesiastical authorities apart from Rome. Gervase of Canterbury described William as 'a man of outstan dingsanctity ... much preferring to have peace than the sw ord and to provide for his people by wisdom rather than iro n'. William died at Stirling on 4 December 1214, aged 71, a nd was buried at Arbroath. William I ("The Lion") Scotland, The Lion, had person sources.²

Robert FitzRoger was born about 1165 in Castle Warkworth, Alnwick, Cumbria, England. He died in 1212, at age ~47, in Castle Warkworth, Alnwick, Cumbria, England.¹

Sheriff of Northumberland, Lord of Clavering. Robert FitzRoger had person sources.²

Herbert FitzHerbert II was born about 1130 in Blaenllyfni, Brecknockshire, Wales. He died about June 1204, at age ~74, in Blaenllyfni, Brecknockshire, Wales.¹

Herbert Fitz-Herbert obtained from Henry II a confirmatio n of the landed possessions of his father and, likewise, th e office of chamberlain. In the 12th of that monarch, ann o 1166, upon the assessment of the aid which was then levie d for marrying the king's daughter, he certified that he he ld one knight's fee in Wilts and three in Berks. Upon the C onquest of Ireland, Henry II, at a great council held at Ox ford anno 1177, gave the kingdom of Limerick in that Realm e to this Herbert and William his brother, Reginald, Earl o f Cornwall, and Josceline de la Pomerai, their nephew, (th e City of Limerick and one cantred excepted, which the kin g reserved to himself and his heirs) to be held by the serv ice of sixty knight's fees, but it appears they declined th e gift. In the 6th of Richard I, he was sheriff of the coun ty of Gloucester, for one of that year and afterwards durin g the whole reign of that king. In the eighth of the same r eign, anno 1197, he was likewise sheriff of Shropshire. Herbert FitzHerbert II had person sources.²

Lucy of Hereford was born in 1136 in Bwlch y Dinas, Brecknockshire, Wales. She died after 1219 in Blaenllyfni, Brecknockshire, Wales.¹ She was buried in Chapter House of Llanthony, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England.

Lucy of Hereford had person sources.²

Geoffrey V Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, was born on 24 August 1113 in Anjou/Pays-de-la-Loire, France. He and Matilda were married on 22 May 1127 in Le Mans Cathedral, Sarthe, Anjou, Normandy, France. He died on 7 September 1151, at age 38. He was buried in St. Julian's Church, LeMans, Anjou, Normandy, France.

Chateau, Eure-Et-Loire, France

Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Geoffrey of Anjou)
"Geoffrey of Anjou" redirects here. For other uses, see Geoffrey of Anjou (disambiguation).
Geoffrey
Duke of the Normans
Count of Anjou, Maine and Mortain
Enamel effigy of Geoffrey on his tomb at Le Mans
Count of Anjou
Reign 1129 – 7 September 1151
Predecessor Fulk V the Younger
Successor Henry I Curtmantle
Spouse Matilda of England
Issue
Hamelin de Warenne, Earl of Surrey
Henry II of England
Geoffrey, Count of Nantes
William X, Count of Poitou
House House of Plantagenet
Father Fulk of Jerusalem
Mother Ermengarde of Maine
Born 24 August 1113
Died 7 September 1151 (aged 38)
Château-du-Loir, France
Burial Le Mans Cathedral, Le Mans

Geoffrey V (24 August 1113 – 7 September 1151), called the Handsome (French: le Bel) and Plantagenet, was the Count of Anjou, Touraine, and Maine by inheritance from 1129 and then Duke of Normandy by conquest from 1144. By his marriage to the Empress Matilda, daughter and heiress of Henry I of England, Geoffrey had a son, Henry Curtmantle, who succeeded to the English throne and founded the Plantagenet dynasty to which Geoffrey gave his nickname.
Contents
[hide]

1 Early life
2 Marriage
3 Count of Anjou
4 Death
5 Children
6 Heraldry
7 Fictional portrayals
8 Ancestors
9 See also
10 References
11 External links

[edit] Early life

Geoffrey was the elder son of Fulk V of Anjou and Eremburga of La Flèche, heiress of Elias I of Maine. Geoffrey received his nickname for the yellow sprig of broom blossom (genêt is the French name for the genista, or broom shrub) he wore in his hat as a badge. King Henry I of England, having heard good reports on Geoffrey's talents and prowess, sent his royal legates to Anjou to negotiate a marriage between Geoffrey and his own daughter, Matilda. Consent was obtained from both parties, and on 10 June 1128 the fifteen-year-old Geoffrey was knighted in Rouen by King Henry in preparation for the wedding. Interestingly, there was no opposition to the marriage from the Church, despite the fact that Geoffrey's sister was the widow of Matilda's brother (only son of King Henry) which fact had been used to annul the marriage of another of Geoffrey's sisters to the Norman pretender William Clito. This fact is understandable considering the opposition to the marriage between Clito and Sibylla came from King Henry himself, not the church.
[edit] Marriage

On 17 June 1128 Geoffrey married Empress Matilda, the daughter and heiress of King Henry I of England by his first wife Edith of Scotland, and widow of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor. The marriage was meant to seal a peace between England/Normandy and Anjou. She was eleven years older than Geoffrey, very proud of her status as an Empress (as opposed to being a mere Countess). Their marriage was a stormy one with frequent long separations, but she bore him three sons and survived him.
[edit] Count of Anjou

The year after the marriage Geoffrey's father left for Jerusalem (where he was to become king), leaving Geoffrey behind as count of Anjou. John of Marmoutier describes Geoffrey as handsome, red-headed, jovial, and a great warrior; however, Ralph of Diceto alleges that his charm concealed his cold and selfish character.

When King Henry I died in 1135, Matilda at once entered Normandy to claim her inheritance. The border districts submitted to her, but England chose her cousin Stephen of Blois for its king, and Normandy soon followed suit. The following year, Geoffrey gave Ambrieres, Gorron, and Chatilon-sur-Colmont to Juhel de Mayenne, on condition that he help obtain the inheritance of Geoffrey's wife. In 1139 Matilda landed in England with 140 knights, where she was besieged at Arundel Castle by King Stephen. In the "Anarchy" which ensued, Stephen was captured at Lincoln in February, 1141, and imprisoned at Bristol. A legatine council of the English church held at Winchester in April 1141 declared Stephen deposed and proclaimed Matilda "Lady of the English". Stephen was subsequently released from prison and had himself recrowned on the anniversary of his first coronation.

During 1142 and 1143, Geoffrey secured all of Normandy west and south of the Seine, and, on 14 January 1144, he crossed the Seine and entered Rouen. He assumed the title of Duke of Normandy in the summer of 1144. In 1144, he founded an Augustine priory at Chateau-l'Ermitage in Anjou. Geoffrey held the duchy until 1149, when he and Matilda conjointly ceded it to their son, Henry, which cession was formally ratified by King Louis VII of France the following year.

Geoffrey also put down three baronial rebellions in Anjou, in 1129, 1135, and 1145-1151. He was often at odds with his younger brother, Elias, whom he had imprisoned until 1151. The threat of rebellion slowed his progress in Normandy, and is one reason he could not intervene in England. In 1153, the Treaty of Wallingford allowed Stephen should remain King of England for life and that Henry, the son of Geoffrey and Matilda should succeed him.
[edit] Death

Geoffrey died suddenly on 7 September 1151. According to John of Marmoutier, Geoffrey was returning from a royal council when he was stricken with fever. He arrived at Château-du-Loir, collapsed on a couch, made bequests of gifts and charities, and died. He was buried at St. Julien's Cathedral in Le Mans France.
[edit] Children

Geoffrey and Matilda's children were:

Henry II of England (1133–1189)
Geoffrey, Count of Nantes (1 June 1134 Rouen- 26 July 1158 Nantes) died unmarried and was buried in Nantes
William X, Count of Poitou (1136–1164) died unmarried

Geoffrey also had illegitimate children by an unknown mistress (or mistresses): Hamelin; Emme, who married Dafydd Ab Owain Gwynedd, Prince of North Wales; and Mary, who became a nun and Abbess of Shaftesbury and who may be the poetess Marie de France. Adelaide of Angers is sometimes sourced as being the mother of Hamelin.
[edit] Heraldry

The first reference to Norman heraldry was in 1128, when Henry I of England knighted his son-in-law Geoffrey and granted him a badge of gold lions (or leopards) on a blue background. (A gold lion may already have been Henry's own badge.) Henry II used two gold lions and two lions on a red background are still part of the arms of Normandy. Henry's son, Richard I, added a third lion to distinguish the arms of England.
[edit] Fictional portrayals. Geoffrey V Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, had person sources.¹

Millicent de Ferrers was born about 1170 in Derby, Derbyshire, England. She died on 29 April 1252, at age ~82.

Millicent de Ferrers had person sources.¹

Hawise de Quincy was born about 1200 in Winchester Buckley, Hampshire, England. She died on 3 February 1262, at age ~62, in Castle Hedingham, Hedingham, Essex, England.^1,2 She was buried in Priory Earls Colne, Halstead, Essex, England.

Hawise de Quincy had person sources.³

Saire de Quincy III was born in 1154 in Winchester Buckley, Hampshire, England. He died on 3 November 1219, at age ~65, in Damietta, Egypt on crusade.

Saier de Quincy was created Earl of Winchester by King Joh n about the year 1210. This nobleman was one of the lords p resent at Lincoln when William, King of Scotland, did homag e to the English monarch, and he subsequently obtained larg e grants and immunities from King John; when, however, th e baronial war broke out, his lordship's pennant waved on t he side of freedom and he became so eminent amongst those s turdy chiefs that he was chosen one of the celebrated twent y-five barons appointed to enforce the observance of Magn a Carta. Adhering to the same party after the accession o f Henry III, the Earl of Winchester had a principal comman d at the battle of Lincoln and, there being defeated, was t aken prisoner by the royalists. But submitting in the follo wing October, he had restitution of all his lands and proce eded soon after, in company with the Earls of Chester and A rundel and others of the nobility, to the Holy Land where h e assisted at the siege of Damietta, anno 1219,and d. th e same year in his progress towards Jerusalem. Saire de Quincy III had person sources.¹

Margaret de Beaumont was born in 1154 in Groby, Leicestershire, England. She died on 12 January 1234, at age ~80, in England. She was buried in Brackley, Northamptonshire, England.

Margaret de Beaumont had person sources.¹

Nicholas de Segrave was born in 1238 in Segrave, Leicestershire, England. He and Maud de Lucy were married in 1255. He died before 12 November 1295.

Nicholas de Segrave had person sources.¹

Helen de Galloway was born about 1200 in Carrick, Ayrshire, Scotland. She died after 21 November 1245 in Winchester Buckley, Hampshire, England. She was buried in Brackley, Northamptonshire, England.

Helen De GALLOWAY

Birth: 1200 in ,Carrick,Ayrshire,Scotland
Death: 21 NOV 1245 in ,,,England
Burial: ,Brackley,Aberdeen,Scotland
Note:

COUNTESS OF WORCESTER. Helen de Galloway had person sources.¹

Robert de Beaumont III was born between 1121 and 1125 in Castle Leicester, Leicestershire, England. He died on 31 August 1190 in Durazzo Provence, West Albania, Greece.

The 3rd Earl of this creation, yet another Robert, rebelle d against Henry II and the town of Leicester was captured a nd set fire to by the King in 1173, although the castle its elf was not taken. The 3rd Earl was later captured by Henr y II, however, and the King then pulled the castle down. Robert de Beaumont III had person sources.¹

Petronella de Grandmesnil was born about 1134 in Grentemesnil, Calvados, Normandy, France. She died on 1 April 1212, at age ~78, in Ware, Hertfordshire, England.

He [Robert Earl of Leicester] married, before 1155-1159, Pernel (Petronilla), heiress of the Norman honour of Grandmes nil, great-granddaughter of Hugh de Grandmesnil, the Domesday tenant, but her parentage has not been discovered (h). Robert died on his return journey from Jerusalem, 31 August 1190, at sea near Brindisi, or in Romania on his way to Jerusalem. His widow had a grant of the market and bridge at Ware for life, 10 March 1207/8. She died 1 April 1212. Petronella de Grandmesnil had person sources.¹

Margaret de Clare was born about October 1293 in Castell Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Glamorganshire, Wales.¹ She died on 9 April 1342, at age ~48, in France.¹

Margaret de Clare had person sources.²

Walter FitzEdward de Salisbury was born in 1100 in Chitterne, Warminster, Wiltshire, England. He and SibillaMaud de Chaworth were married in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He died in 1147, at age ~47, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He was buried in Priory Bradenstroke, Bradenstroke, Wiltshire, England.

WALTER OF SALISBURY, styled also Walter FitzEdward and Walter the Sheriff, son and heir, was sheriff of Wilts under Henry I; but lost the office for a time in that reign. In 1130 he was acquitted of £4 Danegeld in Dorset and £7 in Wilts. He was present at the Council of Northampton, September 1131. He was with Stephen at Westminster at Easter 1136, and at Salisbury at Christmas 1139. He founded the Priory of Bradenstoke, Wilts; and was a benefactor to Salisbury Cathedral.

He married Sibyl, daughter of Patrick DE CHAOURCES [Chaworth], by Maud, daughter of Ernulf DE HESDIN; which Sibyl had as her marriage-portion 15 fees of the old feoffment and one newly made. She diedbefore her husband and was buried near the quire in Bradenstoke. He took the habit of a canon there, died in 1147, and was buried in the same grave as his wife. [Complete Peerage XI:374-5, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]. Walter FitzEdward de Salisbury had person sources.¹

Gilbert de Gaunt was born in 1086 in Folkingham, Bourne, Lincolnshire, England. He died.

Gilbert de Gaunt had person sources.¹

Hugh de ("Hugo de Grentmesnil") Grandmesnil was born in 1032 in Grentemesnil, Calvados, Normandy, France. He and Adelize were married. He died on 22 February 1094, at age ~62, in Leicester, England. He was buried in Abbey of St. Evroult, on the south side of the Chapter House, Leicester, England.

From Wiki...

Hugh de Grandmesnil (1032 – 22 February 1094),[1] also known as Hugh or Hugo de Grentmesnil or Grentemesnil, is one of the very few proven Companions of William the Conqueror known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Subsequently he became a great landowner in England.

He was the elder son of Robert of Grandmesnil and Hawise d'Echaffour. Robert of Grandmesnil was his younger brother.

Following the conquest William I of England gave Hugh 100 manors for his services, sixty-five of them in Leicestershire. He was appointed Sheriff of the county of Leicester and Governor of Hampshire. Hugh's possessions are listed in some detail in the Domesday book ([2] p 652-6).

1 Hugh's family
2 The battle for Leicester
3 Death of Adelize
4 Old age
5 Hugh's death
6 Issue
7 Hugh and Adeliza's holdings in England
8 References
9 Further reading

Hugh's family

The story of the Grandmesnils begins in the mid-eleventh century, in central Normandy, where the family were famous for the breeding and training of war horses. The De Grandmesnils had made a fortune from a string of stud farms which they owned on the plains of Ouch, but during the minority of Duke William the stability of Normandy began to break down. Old scores were settled as the barons made a grab for each other’s territories.

Roger de Beaumont brought savage warfare to the lands of Roger de Tosny, as he tried to grasp control of the Risle valley, in 1041. De Tosny was joined by his ally Robert de Grandmesnil, but in June their forces were shattered in a surprise attack by the Beaumont clan. In the savage fight, de Tosny and two of his sons were killed. Robert de Grandmesnil fared little better. He was carried from the field mortally wounded only to die of his wounds three weeks later. His two sons, Robert and Hugh, divided his property between them; Robert joined the church, while Hugh took on his father’s mantle of warrior politician.

Hugh de Grandmesnil wielded power at the court of William Duke of Normandy, but the paranoid Duke banished Hugh in 1058. For five years Hugh was out of favour at court. In 1063 he was reinstated as Captain of the castle of Neufmarche-en-Lions. The Grandmesnil star continued to rise and Hugh was made a cavalry commander for the invasion of England in 1066.

There is a popular story that Hugh de Grandmesnil almost came to a sticky end at the battle of Hastings. As fierce battle raged, Hugh’s horse leapt a bush, during a cavalry charge and his bridle broke. Barely able to keep upright in the saddle, and with no control over his horse, Hugh saw to his dismay that he was all alone, and careering towards a band of Englishmen. Just as Hugh was preparing to die and his enemies leaped in for the kill, the Saxons gave out a great shout in triumph. Hugh's horse immediately shied in fear and bolted in the opposite direction. The stallion carried its helpless master away from the English and back to the safety of his own lines.

The battle for Leicester

Hugh had become one of William the Conqueror's main men in England. In 1067 he joined with William Fitz Osbern and Bishop Odo in the government of England, during the King's absence in Normandy. He also was one of the Norman nobles who interceded with the Conqueror in favour of William's son Robert Curthose, and effected a temporary reconciliation.

Following the conquest William I assailed Leicester, and took the city by storm in 1068. In the assault a large portion of the city was destroyed, along with St. Mary's Church. William handed the Government of Leicester over to Hugh de Grandmesnil.

He also gave De Grandmesnil 100 manors for his services, sixty-five of them in Leicestershire, including Earl Shilton. He was appointed sheriff of the county of Leicester and Governor of Hampshire. He married the beautiful Adeliza, daughter of Ivo, Count of Beaumont-sur-l'Oise, from whom he gained estates in Herefordshire, and three lordships in Warwickshire.

Death of Adelize

Adelize the wife of Hugh de Grandmesnil died at Rouen in 1087, and was buried in the Chapter House of St. Evroult. They had five sons and as many daughters together - namely, Robert, William, Hugh, Ivo de Grandmesnil, and Aubrey; and daughters Adeline, Hawise, Rohais, Matilda, and Agnes.

On the death of William the Conqueror, also in 1087, the Grandmesnil’s like most of the Norman barons were caught up in the civil war raging between his three surviving sons. Now lands in Normandy and England had two different masters, as Robert Curthose became Duke of Normandy and William Rufus became king of England. Royal family squabbles put fortunes at risk if Barons took the wrong side, and ultimately this was the fate of the Grandmesnil family for they tended to support the fickle Duke of Normandy against the English king, although allegiances changed continually. Duke Robert did not always support his barons loyalty, which is illustrated in Hugh’s later struggles.

Old age

By 1090 Hugh de Grandmesnil was still defending his lands in Normandy. Hugh made a stand along with his friend Richard de Courci at the Castle of Courcy-sur-Dives, as Robert de Belesme laid siege to them. Belesme had driven his army into the lands along the river Orne. Other barons had joined the fight. This led to an extended siege at Courcy, Calvados in 1091 ,[3] of three weeks .[4]

Robert de Belesme did not have enough troops to surround the castle of Courci. He set about building a wooden siege engine, the Belfry. This was a great tower, and could be rolled up to the castle walls. Every time the Belfry was rolled forward, Grandmesnil sallied from the castle and attacked a different part of the line. Soldiers manning the Belfry were urgently needed elsewhere to beat back Grandmesnil's attack. These skirmishes were frequent savage and bloody. On one occasion William, son of Henry de Ferrers (another Leicestershire landowner, whose family would become Earls of Derby), and William de Rupiere were captured by de Grandmesnil and ransomed for a small fortune. But the boot was on the other foot when Ivo de Grandmesnil, Hugh’s son, and Fitz Gilbert de Clare were seized by the attackers. Ivo was later released, but de Clare did not survive Belesme's dungeon (Planche).

As the siege continued a deadly ritual was played out. The inhabitants of Courci had built their oven outside the castle's fortifications, and it now lay midway between the main gate and the enemy's Belfry. The men of Courci therefore, would stand to arms and rush from the castle to surround the oven, so that the baker could go to work. Here they would defend their bread, as the attackers would attempt to carry it off. This would often lead to a general engagement as each side poured more troops into the fray. On one occasion Grandmesnil’s charge was so ferocious that De Belesme’s men were scattered. The men of Courci over-ran the great siege engine and burned it. But this success was short lived, as Duke Robert of Normandy took sides with De Belesme. It now looked all over for De Grandmesnil and De Courci. Then William Rufus arrived with a fleet in arms against his brother, and so Duke Robert and De Belesme simply packed up and went home.

Hugh's death

In 1094, Hugh de Grandmesnil was again in England, worn out with age and infirmity. Feeling his end approaching, in accordance with the common practice of the period, he took the habit of a monk, and expired six days after he had taken to his bed on 22 February 1094 at Leicester. His body, preserved in salt and sewn up in the hide of an ox, was conveyed to the valley of the Ouche in Normandy by two monks. He was laid to rest at the Abbey of St. Evroult, and buried by the Abbot Roger on the south side of the Chapter House, near the tomb of Abbot Mainer.
Issue

Hugh’s eldest son, Robert de Grandmesnil, inherited his Norman lands in the Ouch valley, while Ivo de Grandmesnil became Sheriff of Leicester, and master of Earl Shilton manor.

William's brother Odo and many others, who had rebelled against William Rufus in 1088, felt that the First Crusade was a good way to avoid the English kings wrath. All of these men showed bravery in the field, a fact which contradicts later rumours that they were deserters at Antioch.

On the third day of the siege of Antioch, after a terrible battle on the walls, William Grandmesnil, his brother Aubrey and Ivo of Grandmesnil, banded together with Count Stephen of Blois, father of the future king of England, and several other knights, to let themselves down from the wall on ropes under the cover of darkness. They fled on foot to the coast and the port of St. Simeon where they were transported away by ships belonging to the Knights Hospitalier. The papacy referred to this retreat as an act of cowardice, but evidence emerging from recent research on Blois and his family holdings, as well as Thebaudian revealations from the annals of Champagne, refer to the escape as a strategic move to protect certain treasures. Count Stephen, who was married to Adella, daughter of William the Conqueror, returned to Chartres with maps and strategic building plans that contributed to the formation of the Norman Gothic architectural revolution both in England (Winchester, Glastonbury, Salisbury) and in France (Amiens and Chartres.)

In 1102 Stephen Blois returned to Jerusalem under a cloud of undeserved shame, and died in a battle charge. His cousin Hugh de Payans, formed the first group of Knights Templars the following year.

Henry I of England had moved swiftly to take the English throne, in Robert Curthose's absence. It appears that Ivo de Grandmesnil was influenced by his brother Robert, who held the family lands in Normandy, and joined the faction fighting against Henry of England. War quickly followed.

Duke Robert set sail for England in 1101 and his army caught up with Henry at Alton, on the Winchester road. A peace was quickly negotiated and Robert went back to Normandy with promises of English gold. Unfortunately, this left the Duke’s supporters high and dry and king Henry, ‘a famously unpleasant individual’ took note of his enemies, including the Grandmesnils (Morris).

King Henry bestowed the manors of Barwell, Burbage, Aston, Sketchley and Dadlington on Hugh de Hastings, as he set about getting rid of any baronial opposition. Thus, Ivo, Sheriff of Leicester, found that he was in disgrace at court, and also swamped with lawsuits and delayed judgements by the king. The cronies of the king’s court treated Ivo like a standing joke, and courtiers openly called him ‘ropedancer’, a reference to his escape from Antioch. His star was definitely on the wane, and when he over reacted to the jibes, Ivo was fined for turbulent conduct at court. To escape his situation, Ivo had little choice but to finance another trip to the Holy Land, where he could regain his honour fighting for god.

Ivo approached Robert Beaumont, Count Meulan, to procure a reconciliation with the king, and to advance him five hundred silver marks for his expedition. For this service the whole of Ivo's domains were pledged to Beaumont as a security for fifteen years. Beaumont was also to give the daughter of his brother Henry, Earl of Warwick, in marriage to Ivo's son, Baron Hinckley, who was still in his infancy, and to restore him his father's inheritance. This contract was confirmed by oath, and ratified by the King. But Ivo died on his crusade to Jerusalem, and when he did not return Robert Beaumont broke his oaths and took control of the whole of Leicester. He dispossessed Ivo's children, forgot about the marriage, and added all the Grandmesnil estates to his own. By sleight of hand, Earl Shilton manor was now held by Robert Beaumont, who was created the first Earl of Leicester by the king.

Ivo’s son and heir, Hugh de Grandmesnil, Baron Hinckley, never recovered the honour of Leicester. His daughter, Petronella,[5] married Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester. [NOTE: This attribution of Hugh II as the son of Ivo conflicts with most other accounts which say that Hugh was the son of Ivo's brother Robert and that both of Ivo's sons were killed in the White Ship.]

Hugh's daughter Adeline or Adelina was married to Roger d'Ivry,[2] who was the sworn brother-in-arms of Robert D'Oyly.
Hugh and Adeliza's holdings in England

The Domesday book lists Hugh's lands in Leicestershire[2] in the following order Wigston Magna, Sapcote, Frolesworth, Sharnford, Earl Shilton, Ratby, Bromkinsthorpe, Desford, Glenfield, Braunstone, Groby, Kirkby Mallory, Stapleton, Newbold Verdon, Brascote, Peckleton, Illston on the Hill, Thorpe Langton, Stockerston, Burton Overy, Carlton Curlieu, Noseley, Thurcaston, Belgrave, Birstall, Anstey, Thurmaston, Humberstone, Swinford, Bruntingthorpe, Smeeton Westerby, Lestone, Twyford, Oadby, Peatling Parva, Shearsby, Sapcote, Willoughby Waterless, Croft, Broughton Astley, Enderby, Glenfield, Sutton Cheney, Barlestone, Sheepy Magna, Cotesbach, Evington, Ingarsby, Stoughton, Gaulby, Frisby, Shangton, Stonton Wyville, East Langton, Great Glen, Syston, Wymeswold, Sileby, Ashby de la Zouche, Alton, Staunton Harold, Whitwick, Waltham on the Wolds, Thorpe Arnold, Market Bosworth and Barton in the Beans.

In Northamptonshire his lands include pieces in West Farndon, Marston Trussell, Thorpe Lubenham, Weedon Bec, Ashby St Ledgers, Osbern, Welton, Staverton and Thrupp Grounds

Additionally in Nottinghamshire he had interests in Edwalton and Thrumpton.[2]

And in Warwickshire his lands included([2] p. 663) Hillmorton, Willoughby and Butlers Marston.

He also had interests in Gloucestershire including Quinton (Upper & Lower), Weston-on-Avon and Broad Marston.

Aleliza's lands in Bedfordshire included Lower and Upper Shelton, Houghton Conquest and Chalton.
References

^ See Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 28.
^ a b c d e Domesday Book: A Complete Transliteration. London: Penguin, 2003. ISBN 0-14-143994-7
^ "Courcy".
^ "Courcy Historique". (in French).
^ See though [1]. Hugh de ("Hugo de Grentmesnil") Grandmesnil had person sources.¹

Guillaume de Leuchars was born about 1082 in Leuchars, Fifeshire, Scotland. He died.

END. Guillaume de Leuchars had person sources.¹

Gilbert de Clare was born on 2 September 1243 in Christchurch, Hampshire, England.^1,2 He and Alice de Lusignan were married in 1253.^1,2 He and Joan of Acre Plantagenet were married on 30 April 1290 in Abbey Westminster, Westminster, Middlesex, England.^1,3 He died on 7 December 1295, at age 52, in Castell Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales.^3,2 He was buried on 22 December 1295 in Abbey Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England.²

Gilbert de Clare had person sources.⁴

Joan of Acre Plantagenet was born in 1272 in Acre, Hazafon, Palestine.^1,2 She and Gilbert de Clare were married on 30 April 1290 in Abbey Westminster, Westminster, Middlesex, England.^3,1 She and Ralph de Monthermer were married in 1297 in Akko, Hazafon, Isreal.^1,2 She died on 23 April 1307, at age ~35, in Clare, Risbridge, Suffolk, England.^1,2 She was buried on 26 April 1307 in Augustine Friars, Clare, Suffolk, England.²

Joan of Acre Plantagenet had person sources.⁴

John ("The Marshall") FitzGilbert, The Marshall, was born about 1105 in Winterbourne Monkton, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England.¹ He and Sibilla de Salisbury were married in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales. He died before 29 September 1165 in Rockley, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England.¹

John FitzGilbert, styled also John the Marshal, 1st son an d heir [of Gilbert], a party to the suit aforesaid, succeed ed to his father's lands and office in or shortly before 11 30, when he owed 22.13.4 marks for them. He then held lan d in Wiltshire, and owed 40 marks silver for the office o f supplying fodder for the royal horses in his charge, as w ell as 30 marks silver for the land and daughter of Walte r Pipard. He was with Henry I in Normandy in 1137 and in E ngland in 1138, in which year he fortified the castles of M arlborough and Ludgershall. In 1140 he held Marlborough fo r theKing, and captured Robert FitzHubert, who had taken t he royal castle of Devizes. After Stephen had been taken p risoner at Lincoln, John joined the Empress, with whom he w as at Reading in May, atOxford in July, and at Wincheste r in Aug-Sep 1141, where in the final rout he was cut off a nd surrounded in Wherwell Abbey, but escaped with the los s of an eye and other wounds (b). In 1142 he wasagain wit h the Empress at Oxford, and some 2 years later at Devizes . In 1144 he was raiding the surrounding country form Marl borough Castle and oppressing the clergy. He was with Maud 's son Henry at Devizes in 1149 and 1153; and in 1152 Newbu ry Castle was defended by his constable against Stephen. A fter Henry's accession John was granted Crown lands in Wilt shire worth 82 marks per annum, including Marlborough Castl e; but he had to surrender the castle in 1158. He was pres ent at the Council of Clarendon in 1164; soon after which h e sued Thomas Becket for part of his manor at Pagham, in Su ssex. John was a benefactor to the priory of Bradenstoke , the abbey of Troarn, and the Templars. [Complete Peerag e X:Appendix G:93-95]

According to the poem, John escaped from Winchester on foo t to Marlborough, and there assembled troops, with which h e inflicted much loss on the King and his partisans, and wh en Stephen marched towards Ludgershall, the Marshal waylai d and defeated the royal forces. After this Patrick de Sal isbury (whom the poet prematurely makes an Earl) is said t o have made many attacks on the Marshal, withthe King's su pport; until the feud was settled by John repudiating his 1 st wife and marrying Patrick's sister.

John Marshal, whom the Gesta Stephani rather unkindly descr ibes as 'a limb of hell and the root of all evil' was a ma n who loved warfare, and played the game of politics with g reat success. At first he supported Stephen but, when he be gan to realise the failings of the King and the potentialit ies of Matilda's party, he changed sides. Almost immediatel y he proved by a consummate act of bravery and hardihood, t hat he was worth having: escorting Matilda to safety in hi s castle at Ledgershall, John found that the party was goin g dangerously slowly because Matilda was riding side-saddle ,so he persuaded her to ride astride, and stopped behind t o delay the pursuers at Wherwell. His force was soon overpo wered by the numbers of the enemy, and John took refuge wit h one of his knights in the Abbey. The opposing party promp tly set fire to the church, and John and his knight had t o take cover in the tower, John threatening to kill his kni ght if he made any move to surrender. As thelead of the ro of began to melt and drop on the two soldiers, putting ou t one of John's eyes, the enemy moved off, convinced that t hey were dead. They escaped, in a terrible state, but trium phant,to John's castle.

He plainly expected his children to be as tough as himself , as an incident of the year 1152, when William was about s ix, will show. King Stephen went to besiege Newbury Castle , which Matilda had given John to defend; the castellan, re alising that provisions and the garrison were both too lo w to stand a long siege, asked for a truce to inform his ma ster. This was normal practice, for if the castellan were n ot at once relieved, he could then surrender without bein g held to have let his master down. Now John had not suffic ient troops to relieve the castle, so he asked Stephen to e xtendthe truce whilst he, in turn, informed his mistress , and agreed to give William as a hostage, promising not t o provision and garrison the castle during the truce. Thi s he promptly did, and when hereceived word from Stephen t hat the child would be hung if he did not at once surrende r the castle, he cheerfully replied that he had hammer an d anvils to forge a better child than William. [Who'sWh o in the Middle Ages, John Fines, Barnes & Noble Books, Ne w York, 1995]

John Mareschall, attaching himself to the fortunes of Mau d against King Stephen, was with Robert, the consul, Earl o f Gloucester, at the siege of Winchester Castle, when the p arty of the empress sustained so signal a defeat. Upon th e accession of Henry II, however, in 1154, his fidelity wa s amply rewarded by considerable grants in the co. Wilts; a nd in the 10th of that monarch's reign, beingthen marshal , he laid claim, for the crown, to one of the manors of th e see of Canterbury from the prelate, Thomas à Becket, wh o about that period, had commenced his contest with the kin g. To this John s. his son and heir, John Mareschall. [Si r Bernard Burke, Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct P eerages, Burke's Peerage, Ltd., London, 1883, p. 357, Marsh al, Barons Marshal]. John ("The Marshall") FitzGilbert, The Marshall, had person sources.²

Maud de Hesdin was born in 1057 in Toddington, Bedfordshire, England. She and Patrick de Chaworth were married in 1106 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. She died after 1133.

Maud de Hesdin had person sources.¹