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Robert de Beaumont 2nd Earl of Leicester


Preferred Parents:
Father: Robert de Beaumont 1st Earl of Leicester, b. ABT 1046 in Pont-Audemer, Beaumont, Normandy, France   d. 5 JUN 1118 in Meulan, Yvelines, Ile De France, France
Mother: Elizabeth Isabelle de Vermandois, b. 1081 in Normandy, France   d. 1131 in Sens, Saône-et-Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

Family 1: Amice de Gael de Montfort,    b. ABT 1108 in Montfort, Normandy, France    d. 31 AUG 1168 in Leicester Unitary, Authority, Leicestershire, England
  1. Margaret de Beaumont, b. ABT 1125 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England     d. ABT 1185 in Leicester Castle, Leicestershire, England
  2. Hawise de Beaumont Countess of Leicester, b. ABT 1129 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England     d. 24 APR 1197 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
  3. Lady Hawise De Beaumont, Countess of Gloucester, Baroness Berkeley, b. 1129 in Leicester, Leicestershire, , England     d. 24 APR 1197 in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, , England
  4. Robert de Beaumont 3rd Earl of Leicester, b. ABT 1121     d. 31 AUG 1190 in Durres, Durrës Municipality, Durrës, Albania
Sources:
  1. Title: Wikiwand: Normans
    Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Normans;
    Note: The Normans (Norman: "Normaunds"; French: "Normands"; Latin: "Nortmanni"/"Normanni"; Old Norse: "Norðmaðr") were an ethnic group that arose from contact between Norse Viking settlers of a region in France, named Normandy after them, and indigenous Franks and Gallo-Romans. The settlements in France followed a series of raids on the French coast mainly from Denmark — although some came from Norway and Iceland as well — and gained political legitimacy when the Viking leader Rollo agreed to swear fealty to King Charles III of West Francia. The distinct cultural and ethnic identity of the Normans emerged initially in the first half of the 10th century, and it continued to evolve over the succeeding centuries. The Norman dynasty had a major political, cultural and military impact on medieval Europe and the Near East. The Normans were famed for their martial spirit and eventually for their Catholic piety, becoming exponents of the Catholic orthodoxy of the Romance community into which they assimilated. They adopted the Gallo-Romance language of the Frankish land they settled, their dialect becoming known as Norman, Normaund or Norman French, an important literary language which is still spoken today in parts of Normandy and the nearby Channel Islands. The Duchy of Normandy, which they formed by treaty with the French crown, was a great fief of medieval France, and under Richard I of Normandy was forged into a cohesive and formidable principality in feudal tenure. By the end of the reign of Richard I of Normandy in 996 (aka Richard the Fearless / Richard "sans Peur"), all descendants of Vikings became, according to Cambridge Medieval History (Volume 5, Chapter XV), "not only Christians but in all essentials Frenchmen." The Normans are noted both for their culture, such as their unique Romanesque architecture and musical traditions, and for their significant military accomplishments and innovations. Norman adventurers played a role in founding the Kingdom of Sicily under Roger II after briefly conquering southern Italy and Malta from the Saracens and Byzantines, during an expedition on behalf of their duke, William the Conqueror, which also led to the Norman conquest of England at the historic Battle of Hastings in 1066. Norman and Anglo-Norman forces contributed to the Iberian Reconquista from the early eleventh to the mid-thirteenth centuries. Norman cultural and military influence spread from these new European centers to the Crusader states of the Near East, where their prince Bohemond I founded the Principality of Antioch in the Levant, to Scotland and Wales in Great Britain, to Ireland, and to the coasts of north Africa and the Canary Islands. The legacy of the Normans persists today through the regional languages and dialects of France, England, Spain, and Sicily, as well as the various cultural, judicial, and political arrangements they introduced in their conquered territories. Etymology The English name "Normans" comes from the French words "Normans"/"Normanz," plural of "Normant," modern French "normand," which is itself borrowed from Old Low Franconian Nortmann "Northman" or directly from Old Norse "Norðmaðr," Latinized variously as "Nortmannus," "Normannus," or "Nordmannus" (recorded in Medieval Latin, 9th century) to mean "Norseman, Viking." The 11th century Benedictine monk and historian, Goffredo Malaterra, characterised the Normans thus: "Specially marked by cunning, despising their own inheritance in the hope of winning a greater, eager after both gain and dominion, given to imitation of all kinds, holding a certain mean between lavishness and greediness, that is, perhaps uniting, as they certainly did, these two seemingly opposite qualities. Their chief men were specially lavish through their desire of good report. They were, moreover, a race skillful in flattery, given to the study of eloquence, so that the very boys were orators, a race altogether unbridled unless held firmly down by the yoke of justice. They were enduring of toil, hunger, and cold whenever fortune laid it on them, given to hunting and hawking, delighting in the pleasure of horses, and of all the weapons and garb of war." Settling of Normandy See also: Duchy of Normandy, Rollo, William I Longsword, and Richard the Fearless In the course of the 10th century, the initially destructive incursions of Norse war bands going upstream into the rivers of France penetrated further into interior Europe, and evolved into more permanent encampments that included local French women and personal property. From 885 to 886, Odo of Paris (Eudes de Paris) succeeded in defending Paris against Viking raiders (one of the leaders was Sigfred) with his fighting skills, fortification of Paris and tactical shrewdness. In 911, Robert I of France, brother of Odo, again defeated another band of Viking warriors in Chartres with his well-trained horsemen. This victory paved the way for Rollo's baptism and settlement in Normandy. The Duchy of Normandy, which began in 911 as a fiefdom, was established by the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between King Charles III (Charles the Simple) (879–929, ruled 893–929) of West Francia and the famed Viking ruler Rollo also known as Gaange Rolf (c. 846-c. 929), from Scandinavia, and was situated in the former Frankish kingdom of Neustria. The treaty offered Rollo and his men the French coastal lands along the English Channel between the river Epte and the Atlantic Ocean coast in exchange for their protection against further Viking incursions. As well as promising to protect the area of Rouen from Viking invasion, Rollo swore not to invade further Frankish lands himself, accepted baptism and conversion to Christianity and swore fealty to King Charles III. Robert I of France stood as godfather during Rollo's baptism. He became the first Duke of Normandy and Count of Rouen. The area corresponded to the northern part of present-day Upper Normandy down to the river Seine, but the Duchy would eventually extend west beyond the Seine. The territory was roughly equivalent to the old province of Rouen, and reproduced the old Roman Empire's administrative structure of "Gallia Lugdunensis II" (part of the former "Gallia Lugdunensis" in Gaul). Before Rollo's arrival, Normandy's populations did not differ from Picardy or the Île-de-France, which were considered "Frankish." Earlier Viking settlers had begun arriving in the 880s, but were divided between colonies in the east (Roumois and Pays de Caux) around the low Seine valley and in the west in the Cotentin Peninsula, and were separated by traditional pagii, where the population remained about the same with almost no foreign settlers. Rollo's contingents from Scandinavia who raided and ultimately settled Normandy and parts of the European Atlantic coast included Danes, Norwegians, Norse–Gaels, Orkney Vikings, possibly Swedes, and Anglo-Danes from the English Danelaw territory which earlier came under Norse control in the early 11th century. The descendants of Vikings replaced the Norse religion and Old Norse language with Catholicism (Christianity) and the Langue d'oil of the local people, descending from the Latin of the Romans. The Norman language (Norman French ) was forged by the adoption of the indigenous langue d'oïl branch of Romance by a Norse-speaking ruling class, and it developed into the French regional languages that survive today. The Normans thereafter adopted the growing feudal doctrines of the rest of France, and worked them into a functional hierarchical system in both Normandy and in Norman dominated England. The new Norman rulers were culturally and ethnically distinct from the old French aristocracy, most of whom traced their lineage to the Franks of the Carolingian dynasty from the days of Charlemagne in the 9th century. Most Norman knights remained poor and land-hungry, and by the time of the expedition and invasion of England in 1066, Normandy had been exporting fighting horsemen for more than a generation. Many Normans of Italy, France and England eventually served as avid Crusaders soldiers under the Italo-Norman prince Bohemund I of Antioch and the Anglo-Norman king Richard the Lion-Heart, one of the more famous and illustrious Kings of England. The descendants of Vikings replaced the Norse religion and Old Norse language with Catholicism (Christianity) and the Langue d'oil of the local people, descending from the Latin of the Romans. The Norman language (Norman French ) was forged by the adoption of the indigenous langue d'oïl branch of Romance by a Norse-speaking ruling class, and it developed into the French regional languages that survive today. The Normans thereafter adopted the growing feudal doctrines of the rest of France, and worked them into a functional hierarchical system in both Normandy and in Norman dominated England. The new Norman rulers were culturally and ethnically distinct from the old French aristocracy, most of whom traced their lineage to the Franks of the Carolingian dynasty from the days of Charlemagne in the 9th century. Most Norman knights remained poor and land-hungry, and by the time of the expedition and invasion of England in 1066, Normandy had been exporting fighting horsemen for more than a generation. Many Normans of Italy, France and England eventually served as avid Crusaders soldiers under the Italo-Norman prince Bohemund I of Antioch and the Anglo-Norman king Richard the Lion-Heart, one of the more famous and illustrious Kings of England. Conquests and military offensives Italy See also: Norman conquest of southern Italy, Emirate of Sicily, Norman-Arab-Byzantine culture, Robert Guiscard, and Italo-Norman Opportunistic bands of Normans successfully established a foothold in southern Italy. Probably as the result of returning pilgrims' stories, the Normans entered southern Italy as warriors in 1017 at the latest. In 999, according to Amatus of Montecassino, Norman pilgrims returning from Jerusalem called in ..
  2. Title: American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI)
    Publication: Name: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=3599&h=2489055&indiv=try;
  3. Title: Wikisource Dictionary of National Biography
    Author: [Ordericus Vitalis, lib. xii.,xiii.; Roger Hoveden (Rolls Series); Gervase of Canterbury (ib.) R. Diceto (ib.); Materials for History of Thomas à Becket (ib.); Monasticon Anglicanum, ii. 308 (ed. 1830, vi. 462-69); Dugdale's Baronage, i. 85-87; Lyttelton's Henry II (1767); Nichols's History of Leicester (1795), pp. 24-68, app. viii. p. 15; Thompson's History of Leicester (chap. vi.), and Essay on Municipal History (1867); Foss's Judges of England (1848), i. 190; Eyton's Court and Itinerary of Henry II.]
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography,_1885-1900/Beaumont,_Robert_de_(1104-1168);
    Note: BEAUMONT, ROBERT de, Earl of Leicester (1104–1168), justiciary of England, was son of the preceding, and a twin with his brother Waleran [see Beaumont, Waleran de]. He seems, however, to have been deemed the younger, and is spoken of as postnatus in the 'Testa de Nevill.' He is stated to have been born in 1104 (Ord. Vit. xi. 6) when his father was advanced in years, a date fatal to the story in the 'Abingdon Chronicle' (ii. 229), that he had been at the Benedictine monastery there as a boy, 'regis Willelmi tempore' (i.e. ante 1099). At his father's death (1118) he succeeded to his English fiefs (Ord. Vit. xii. 33), being apparently considered the younger of the twins, and Henry, in gratitude for his father's services, brought him up, with his brother, in the royal household, and gave him to wife Amicia, daughter of Ralph (de Wader), earl of Norfolk, by Emma, daughter of William (Fitz-Osbern), earl of Hereford, with the fief of Bréteuil for her dower (ib.) The twins accompanied Henry to Normandy, and to his interview with Pope Calixtus at Gisors (November 1119), where they are said to have astounded the cardinals by their learning. They were also present at his death-bed, 1 Dec. 1135 (ib. xiii. 19). In the anarchy that followed, war broke out between Robert and his hereditary foe, Roger de Toesny (ib. xiii. 22), whom he eventually captured by his brother's assistance. In December 1137 the twins returned to England with Stephen, as his chief advisers, and Robert began preparing for his great foundation, his Norman possessions being overrun (ib. xiii. 36) in his absence (1138), till he came to terms with Roger de Toesny (ib. xiii. 38). In June 1139 he took, with his brother, the lead in seizing the bishops of Salisbury and Lincoln at Oxford (ib. xiii. 40), and on the outbreak of civil war was despatched with him, by Stephen, to escort the empress to Bristol (October 1139), and is said (but this is doubtful) to have received a grant of Hereford. He secured his interests with the Angevin party (ib. xiii. 43) after Stephen's defeat (2 Feb. 1141), and then devoted himself to raising, in the outskirts of Leicester, the noble abbey of St. Mary de Pré ('de Pratis') for canons regular of the Austin order. Having bestowed on it rich endowments, including those of his father's foundation, he had it consecrated in 1143 by the bishop of Lincoln, whom he had contrived to reconcile. In 1152 he was still in Stephen's confidence, and exerted his influence to save his brother (Gervase, i. 148), but on Henry landing in 1163 he supplied him freely with means for his struggle (ib. i. 152), and attending him, shortly after his coronation (December 1154) was rewarded with his lasting confidence, and with the post of chief justiciar, in which capacity ('capitalis justicia') he first appears 13 Jan. 1155 (Cart. Ant. W.), and again in 1156 (Rot. Pip. 2 Hen. II). He was now in the closest attendance on the court, and on the queen joining the king in Normandy (December 1158) he was left in charge of the kingdom, in a vice-regal capacity, till the king's return 25 Jan. 1163, Richard de Luci [q. v.], when in England, being associated with him in the government. He was present at the famous council of Clarendon (13-28 Jan. 1164), and his name heads the list of lay signatures to the 'constitutions' (MS. Cott. Claud. B. fo. 26), to which he is said, by his friendly influence, to have procured Becket's assent (Gervase, i. 177). As with his father, in the question of investitures he loyally upheld the claims of the crown, while maintaining to the church and churchmen devotion even greater than his father's. In the great crisis at the council of Northampton (October 1164) he strove, with the Earl of Cornwall, to reconcile the primate with the king, pleading hard with Becket when they visited him (12 Oct.) at his house. The following day they were commissioned to pronounce to him the sentence of the court; but when Leicester, as chief justiciary, commenced his address, he was at once cut short by the primate, who rejected his jurisdiction (Gervase, i. 185; Rog. Hov. i. 222, 228; Materials, ii. 393, &c.) Early the next year (1165) he was again, on the king's departure, left in charge of the kingdom, and, on the Archbishop of Cologne arriving as an envoy from the emperor, refused to greet him on the ground that he was a schismatic (R. Dic. i. 318). He appears to have accompanied Henry to Normandy in the spring of 1166, but leaving him, returned to his post before October, and retained it till his death, which took place in 1168 (Rog. Hov. i. 269; Ann. Wav.; Chron. Mailros.). It is said, in a chronicle of St. Mary de Pré (Mon. Ang. ut infra), that he himself became a canon regular of that abbey, and resided there fifteen years, till his death, when he was buried on the south side of the choir; but it is obvious that he cannot thus have entered the abbey. This earl was known as le Bossu (to distinguish him from his successors), and also, possibly, as le Goczen (Mon. Ang. 1830, vi. 467). He founded, in addition to St. Mary de Pré, the abbey of Garendon (Ann. Wav. 233), the monastery of Nuneaton, the priory of Lusfield, and the hospital of Brackley (wrongly attributed by Dugdale to his father), and was a liberal benefactor to many other houses (see Dugdale). His charter confirming to his burgesses of Leicester their merchant-gild and customs is preserved at Leicester, and printed on p. 404 of the Appendix to the eighth report on Historical MSS., and copies of his charters of wood and pasture are printed in Mr. Thompson's essay (pp. 42-84). He is also said to have remitted the 'gavel-pence' impost, but the story, though accepted by Mr. Thompson (p. 60) and Mr. Jeaffreson (Appendix to 8th Report, ut supra, pp. 404, 406-7), is probably false.
  4. Title: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1104-1168), The Peerage
    Author: https://www.thepeerage.com/p10681.htm#i106807
    Publication: Name: https://www.thepeerage.com/p10681.htm#i106807;
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester was born in 1104.2 He was the son of Robert de Meulan, 1st Earl of Leicester and Elizabeth de Vermandois.2 He married Amicia de Montfort, daughter of Raoul de Montfort, Seigneur de Montfort et Gael, after 1120. He died on 5 April 1168. He gained the title of 2nd Earl of Leicester.1 Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester also went by the nick-name of 'Le Bossu'. He has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography.3 Children of Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester and Amicia de Montfort: Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester+4 d. 1190 Hawise de Beaumont+1 d. 24 Apr 1197 Margaret de Beaumont+5 Citations: [S11] Alison Weir, Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy (London, U.K.: The Bodley Head, 1999), page 66. Hereinafter cited as Britain's Royal Families. [S6] G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume XII/2, page 829. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage. [S18] Matthew H.C.G., editor, Dictionary of National Biography on CD-ROM (Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1995), reference: "Beaumont, Robert de". Hereinafter cited as Dictionary of National Biography. [S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume VII, page 527. [S37] BP2003 See link for full details for this source. Hereinafter cited as. [S37]
    Page: relationships, dates, and sources
  5. Title: Robert de Beaumont and Robert “Bossu” de Meulan, Earls of Leicester in British History Online (www.british-history.ac.uk) [See document in the Memories section]
    Author: Earls of Leicester in British History Online (www.british-history.ac.uk)
    Note: Robert de Beaumont and Robert “Bossu” de Meulan, Earls of Leicester in British History Online (www.british-history.ac.uk) [See document in the Memories section]
  6. Title: "Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists," by Frederick Lewis Weis
    Author: Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists, Frederick Lewis Weis, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1990, Page number: Line 53 No. 25, Line 62 No. 32
    Note: b.1104; Leicester, Leicestershire - d. 5 April 1168; 2nd Earl of Leicester and Justiciar of England
  7. Title: Beaumont Family Pedigree in Collins's Peerage of England, Vol. 4, pg. 429-430 [See document in the Memories section]
    Author: Collins's Peerage of England, Vol. 4, pg. 429-430
    Note: Beaumont Family Pedigree in Collins's Peerage of England, Vol. 4, pg. 429-430 [See document in the Memories section]
    Page: Beaumont Family Pedigree in Collins's Peerage of England, Vol. 4, pg. 429-430 [See document in the Memories section]
  8. Title: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1104–1168), Wikipedia
    Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Beaumont,_2nd_Earl_of_Leicester
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Beaumont,_2nd_Earl_of_Leicester;
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1104 – 5 April 1168) was Justiciar of England 1155–1168. Also known as Robert "Le Bossu" (meaning "Robert the Hunchback" in French), Robert Boissu, Robert Beamond and Robert Beaumonde. He was the son of Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan and 1st Earl of Leicester, and Elizabeth de Vermandois, and the twin brother of Waleran de Beaumont. In 1120 Robert was declared of age and inherited most of his father's lands in England, while his twin brother took the French lands. In 1121, he married Amice de Montfort, daughter of Raoul II de Montfort, himself a son of Ralph de Gael, Earl of East Anglia. Both families had lost their English inheritances through rebellion in 1075. They had four children: Hawise de Beaumont, who married William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester and had descendants. Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester who married Petronilla de Grandmesnil and had descendants. Isabel, who married Simon de St. Liz, Earl of Huntingdon and had descendants. Margaret, who married Ralph IV de Toeni and had descendants through their daughter, Ida de Tosny. Lord High Steward (1154–1168) Chief Justiciar (1154–1168) Earl of Leicester (1118–1168) Died 5 April 1168 at Brackley
    Page: Ancestry
  9. Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy: ROBERT de Beaumont "le Bossu"
    Publication: Name: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISH%20NOBILITY%20MEDIEVAL.htm#RobertBeaumontLeicesterdied1168B;
    Note: 2. ROBERT de Beaumont "le Bossu" (1104-[4/5] Apr 1168, bur Leicester Abbey). Twin with Waléran. He and his twin brother were brought up at the court of Henry I King of England[1531]. He succeeded his father in 1118 as Earl of Leicester. He supported King Stephen during the civil war with Empress Matilda. Henry Duke of Normandy restored property to "Rodberto filio comitis Legrec…Rodberti comitis" held by "patris sui…sicut comes Rodbertus de Mellend avus suus…Willelmus de Britolio", and granted him the property of "Willelmus de Pasci in Anglia et in Normannia" by charter dated to [Jan/Aug] 1153, witnessed by "…Guarino filio Geraldi, Henrico duo fratre…"[1532]. He became Steward of England and Normandy under King Henry II in 1154, and acted as Viceroy during the king's absence from England Dec 1158 to 25 Jan 1163 and again in 1165[1533]. Robert of Torigny records the death in 1168 of "Robertus comes Leecestriæ"[1534]. The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denis records the death "Non Apr" of "Robertus comes Leecestrie"[1535]. The necrology of Saint-Nicaise de Meulan records the death of "Robertus comes Leicestrie", undated but among other deaths listed in early April[1536]. The necrology of Garendon abbey (Leicestershire) records the death “pridie Non Apr...in die Sancti Ambrosii” of “Robertus comes Leyc fundator huius abbatie”, a later passage indicating that he was buried “in monasterio abbatie Leyc” which he had also founded[1537]. The necrology of Lyre monastery records the death "5 Apr" of "Robertus comes Legrecestriæ"[1538]. m (after 25 Nov 1120) AMICE de Gaël, heiress of Breteuil, daughter of RAOUL Seigneur de Gaël et de Montfort & his wife --- (-31 Aug [1168 or after], bur Eton). She is named by Orderic Vitalis, who also names her father and specifies that her marriage was arranged by Henry I King of England after she had been betrothed to his deceased son Richard[1539]. She is said to have become a nun at Nuneaton after her husband's death[1540]. The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denis records the death "II Kal Sep" of "Amicia comitissa Leecestre"[1541]. The necrology of Garendon abbey (Leicestershire) records the death “pridie Non Apr...in die Sancti Ambrosii” of “Robertus comes Leyc fundator huius abbatie”, and “die Sancti Egidii abbatis” of “Amicia uxor eiusdem Roberti” and her burial “in monasterio prioratus monialium de Etona”[1542]. The necrology of Lyre monastery records the death "31 Aug" of "Robertus comes Leicestriæ, Amicia comitissa"[1543]. Earl Robert & his wife had four children: a) ISABELLE de Beaumont (-after 1188). b) ROBERT de Beaumont "ès Blanchemains" (-Durazzo 1190). c) HAVISE de Beaumont (-24 Apr or 25 May 1197). d) MARGUERITE de Beaumont ([1125]-after 1185).
    Page: Robert de Beaumont in the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy ~ http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMANDY%20NOBILITY.htm#RobertBeaumontLeicesterdied1118A [See document in the Memories section]
  10. Title: Complete Peerage: ROBERT, EARL OF LEICESTER
    Author: Complete Peerage-v5-p127,688,-v6-p451*,502,643,-v7-p520ped,527-530*, -v7apndx(I)-p737,-v9-p574fn(n),664,-v10-p320,-v11apndx(D)-p107, -v12pt2-p829
    Note: ROBERT, EARL OF LEICESTER, younger son, being twin with Waleran, who succeeded his father as Count of Meulan, was born 1104, and was commonly called Le Bossu or Le Goczen. He styles himself Earl of Leicester in the confirmation of his charter on behalf of Bec and St. Nicaise-de-Meulan in 1119. He and his brother Waleran were brought up at the court of Henry I with great care on account of the King's gratitude to their father. They accompanied Henry when he interviewed Pope Calixtus at Gisors, November 1119 where they astonished the Cardinals by their learning. On 8 September 1131 Robert was one of the five Earls who witnessed Henry's charter to Salisbury at the Northampton Council, and both the brothers were present at the deathbed of Henry L In the anarchy which followed Stephen's accession he engaged in private warfare with his hereditary enemy, Roger de Tosny, whom he captured with the assistance of his brother Waleran. In 1137 the twins returned to England with Stephen. Meanwhile, during Robert's absence in England, his possessions in Normandy were overrun until he came to terms with Roger de Tosny. In June 1139 the two brothers took a leading part in the seizing of the Bishops o! Salisbury and Lincoln at Oxford. At about this time he received from Stephen a grant to him as Earl of Leicester and to his heirs of the town and castle of Hereford "et totum comitatum de Herefordisc.," excepting the lands of the Bishop, those of the Abbot of Reading and of other churches and abbeys holding in chief of the King, and excepting also the fees of Hugh de Mortemer, Osbert son of Hugh, and others, "cum aliis omnibus rebus et libertatibus quae ad omnia prefata pertinent cum quibus Gul. filius Osbern unquam melius vel liberius tenuit." This grant was made at Newton (probably near Leominster) at a time when Miles of Gloucester had already taken possession of the county for the Empress, and therefore cannot have been effectmacl to bestow either the lands or the Earldom of Hereford, if such was Stephen's intention. After the defeat of Stephen, 2 Feb. 1141, Robert appears to have made a truce with the Angevin party in Normandy until he should return from England, and devoted himself to his foundation of St. Mary de Pré at Leicester, which was accomplished in 1143. According to the narrative of St. Mary's, he became a canon regular there circa 1153, and so remained until his death, but the story conflicts with his known public career. In that year Henry, son of the Empress, anticipating his succession to the throne (which was agreed by the Treaty of Waningford in November 1153), gave Robert and his son Robert charters, dated at Bristol, "restoring" to them the lands then held by the elder, Robert, and granting them the Stewardship of England and of Normandy, whereby he doubtless secured their support of his claims to the crown. Robert was at the siege of Torigny in October 1154 with Henry II just before his accession, attended his Coronation in December 1154, and rapidly rose in the new King's favour. He received a confirmation charter of the grant made at Bristol and thus became Steward of England and of Nor:mandy. He was made Justiciar in the following year, and he acted as Viccroy part of the time with Richard de Luci during the King's absence from England from December 1158, after Eleanor left the country until his rcturn 25 January 1162/3. He was present at the Council of Clarendon, 13-28 January 1163/4, and was the first to attest the "Constitutions," to which he procured the assent of Thomas à Becket. He took part with the Crown in its struggle with Becket, but sought to reconcile the King and the Archbishop at the Council of Northampton in October 1164. As Justiciar he pronounced sentence on the Archbishop, who cut short his address by denying the jurisdiction of the court. In 1165 he again acted as Viceroy on the King's departure. In the spring of 1166 he went to Normandy with the King, but was in England again in October, and retained the Justiciarship until his death two years later. He married, after November 1120, Amice, daughter of Ralph, SEIGNEUR OF GAEL AND MONTFORT in Brittany, who was son of Ralph, EARL OF NORFOLK, by Emma, daughter of William FiTZOSBERN, 1st Earl of Hereford. By this marriage he acquired a large part of the FitzOsbern inheritance in Normandy and England. He died 5 April 1168, and was probably buried in St. Mary de Pré. Amice survived him, and is said to have entered the convent of Nuneaton. [Complete Peerage VII:527-30, XIV:429]
  11. Title: Wikiwand: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester
    Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Robert_de_Beaumont,_2nd_Earl_of_Leicester;
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1104 – 5 April 1168) was Justiciar of England 1155–1168. The surname "de Beaumont" is given him by genealogists. The only known contemporary surname applied to him is "Robert son of Count Robert". Henry Knighton, the fourteenth-century chronicler notes him as Robert "Le Bossu" (meaning "Robert the Hunchback" in French). The manuscript Genelogies of the Erles of Lecestre and Chester states that he was "surnamed Boissu," and refers to him by the names Robert Boissu, Robert Beamond and Robert Beaumonde. Early life and education Robert was an English nobleman of Norman-French ancestry. He was the son of Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan and 1st Earl of Leicester, and Elizabeth de Vermandois, and the twin brother of Waleran de Beaumont. It is not known whether they were identical or fraternal twins, but the fact that they are remarked on by contemporaries as twins indicates that they were probably identical. The two brothers, Robert and Waleran, were adopted into the royal household shortly after their father's death in June 1118 (upon which Robert inherited his father's second titles of Earl of Leicester). Their lands on either side of the Channel were committed to a group of guardians, led by their stepfather, William, Earl of Warenne or Surrey. They accompanied King Henry I to Normandy, to meet with Pope Callixtus II in 1119, when the king incited them to debate philosophy with the cardinals. Both twins were literate, and Abingdon Abbey later claimed to have been Robert's school, but though this is possible, its account is not entirely trustworthy. A surviving treatise on astronomy (British Library ms Royal E xxv) carries a dedication "to Earl Robert of Leicester, that man of affairs and profound learning, most accomplished in matters of law" who can only be this Robert. On his death he left his own psalter to the abbey he founded at Leicester, which was still in its library in the late fifteenth century. The existence of this indicates that like many noblemen of his day, Robert followed the canonical hours in his chapel. Career at the Norman court In 1120 Robert was declared of age and inherited most of his father's lands in England, while his twin brother took the French lands. However, in 1121, royal favour brought Robert the great Norman honors of Breteuil and Pacy-sur-Eure, with his marriage to Amice de Gael, daughter of a Breton intruder the king had forced on the honor after the forfeiture of the Breteuil family in 1119. Robert spent a good deal of his time and resources over the next decade integrating the troublesome and independent barons of Breteuil into the greater complex of his estates. He did not join in his brother's great Norman rebellion against King Henry I in 1123–24. He appears fitfully at the royal court despite his brother's imprisonment until 1129. Thereafter the twins were frequently to be found together at Henry I's court. Robert held lands throughout the country. In the 1120s and 1130s he tried to rationalize his estates in Leicestershire. Leicestershire estates of the See of Lincoln and the Earl of Chester were seized by force. This enhanced the integrity of Robert's block of estates in the central midlands, bounded by Nuneaton, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough. In 1135, the twins were present at King Henry's deathbed. Robert's actions in the succession period are unknown, but he clearly supported his brother's decision to join the court of the new king Stephen before Easter 1136. During the first two years of the reign Robert is found in Normandy fighting rival claimants for his honor of Breteuil. Military action allowed him to add the castle of Pont St-Pierre to his Norman estates in June 1136 at the expense of one of his rivals. From the end of 1137 Robert and his brother were increasingly caught up in the politics of the court of King Stephen in England, where Waleran secured an ascendancy which lasted till the beginning of 1141. Robert participated in his brother's political coup against the king's justiciar, Roger of Salisbury (the Bishop of Salisbury). Civil war in England The outbreak of civil war in England in September 1139 brought Robert into conflict with Earl Robert of Gloucester, the bastard son of Henry I and principal sponsor of the Empress Matilda. His port of Wareham and estates in Dorset were seized by Gloucester in the first campaign of the war. In that campaign the king awarded Robert the city and castle of Hereford as a bid to establish the earl as his lieutenant in Herefordshire, which was in revolt. It is disputed by scholars whether this was an award of a second county to Earl Robert. Probably in late 1139, Earl Robert refounded his father's collegiate church of St Mary de Castro in Leicester as a major Augustinian abbey on the meadows outside the town's north gate, annexing the college's considerable endowment to the abbey. The battle of Lincoln on 2 February 1141 saw the capture and imprisonment of King Stephen. Although Count Waleran valiantly continued the royalist fight in England into the summer, he eventually capitulated to the Empress and crossed back to Normandy to make his peace with the Empress's husband, Geoffrey of Anjou. Earl Robert had been in Normandy since 1140 attempting to stem the Angevin invasion, and negotiated the terms of his brother's surrender. He quit Normandy soon after and his Norman estates were confiscated and used to reward Norman followers of the Empress. Earl Robert remained on his estates in England for the remainder of King Stephen's reign. Although he was a nominal supporter of the king, there seems to have been little contact between him and Stephen, who did not confirm the foundation of Leicester Abbey till 1153. Earl Robert's principal activity between 1141 and 1149 was his private war with Ranulf II, Earl of Chester. Though details are obscure it seems clear enough that he waged a dogged war with his rival that in the end secured him control of northern Leicestershire and the strategic Chester castle of Mountsorrel. When Earl Robert of Gloucester died in 1147, Robert of Leicester led the movement among the greater earls of England to negotiate private treaties to establish peace in their areas, a process hastened by the Empress's departure to Normandy, and complete by 1149. During this time the earl also exercised supervision over his twin brother's earldom of Worcester, and in 1151 he intervened to frustrate the king's attempts to seize the city. Earl Robert and Henry Plantagenet The arrival in England of Duke Henry, son of the Empress Matilda, in January 1153 was a great opportunity for Earl Robert. He was probably in negotiation with Henry in that spring and reached an agreement by which he would defect to him by May 1153, when the duke restored his Norman estates to the earl. The duke celebrated his Pentecost court at Leicester in June 1153, and he and the earl were constantly in company till the peace settlement between the duke and the king at Winchester in November 1153. Earl Robert crossed with the duke to Normandy in January 1154 and resumed his Norman castles and honors. As part of the settlement his claim to be chief steward of England and Normandy was recognized by Henry. Earl Robert began his career as chief justiciar of England probably as soon as Duke Henry succeeded as King Henry II in October 1154. The office gave the earl supervision of the administration and legal process in England whether the king was present or absent in the realm. He appears in that capacity in numerous administrative acts, and had a junior colleague in the post in Richard de Luci, another former servant of King Stephen. The earl filled the office for nearly fourteen years until his death, and earned the respect of the emerging Angevin bureaucracy in England. His opinion was quoted by learned clerics, and his own learning was highly commended. He died on 5 April 1168, probably at his Northamptonshire castle of Brackley, for his entrails were buried at the hospital in the town. He was received as a canon of Leicester on his deathbed, and buried to the north of the high altar of the great abbey he had founded and built. He left a written testament of which his son the third earl was an executor, as we learn in a reference dating to 1174. Church patronage Robert founded and patronized many religious establishments. He founded Leicester Abbey and Garendon Abbey in Leicestershire, the Fontevraldine Nuneaton Priory in Warwickshire, Luffield Abbey in Buckinghamshire, and the hospital of Brackley, Northamptonshire. He refounded the collegiate church of St Mary de Castro, Leicester, as a dependency of Leicester abbey around 1164, after suppressing it in 1139. Around 1139 he refounded the collegiate church of Wareham as a priory of his abbey of Lyre, in Normandy. His principal Norman foundations were the priory of Le Désert in the forest of Breteuil and a major hospital in Breteuil itself. He was a generous benefactor of the Benedictine abbey of Lyre, the oldest monastic house in the honor of Breteuil. He also donated land in Old Dalby, Leicestershire to the Knights Hospitallers who used it to found Dalby Preceptory. About the year 1150, Robert le Bossu, earl of Leicester, gave to one Solomon, a clerk, an acre of land at Brackley whereon to build a house for showing hospitality to the poor, together with a free chapel and graveyard. Family and children He married after 1120 Amice de Montfort, daughter of Raoul II de Montfort, himself a son of Ralph de Gael, Earl of East Anglia. Both families had lost their English inheritances through rebellion in 1075. They had four children: 1. Hawise de Beaumont, who married William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester and had descendants. 2. Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester who married Petronilla de Grandmesnil and had descendants. 3. Isabel, who married Simon de St. Liz, Earl of Huntingdon and had desce..
  12. Title: Wikiwand: Justiciar
    Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Justiciar;
    Note: In Medieval England and Scotland the Chief Justiciar (later known simply as the Justiciar) was roughly equivalent to a modern Prime Minister as the monarch's chief minister. Similar positions existed in Continental Europe, particularly in Norman Italy and in the Carolingian empire. The term is the English form of the medieval Latin "justiciarius" or "justitiarius" ("man of justice," i.e., "judge"). A similar office was formed in Scotland, though there were usually two or three: the Justiciar of Scotia, the Justiciar of Lothian and, in the 13th century, the Justiciar of Galloway. These offices later evolved into a national one called Lord Justice-General. The Justiciar of Ireland was an office established during English rule. Following the conquest of the Principality of Wales in the 13th century, the areas that became personal fiefs of the English monarchs were placed under the control of the Justiciar of North Wales and the Justiciar of South Wales. England In the Kingdom of England the term justiciar originally referred to any officer of the King's Court ("Curia Regis"), or, indeed, anyone who possessed a law court of his own or was qualified to act as a judge in the shire-courts. In each English shire, the sheriff was the king's representative in all matters. The only appeal against decisions of the sheriff or his courts was to the king. During the reign of William Rufus many sheriffs were severely overworked; Rufus eased the burden by appointing local justiciars in some shires. The Norman kings were often overseas and appointed a justiciar, regent or lieutenant to represent them in the kingdom, as the sheriff did in the shire. Later this post became known as the Chief Justiciar (or royal capital justiciar), although the titles were not generally used contemporaneously. Some historians claim the first in the post was Roger of Salisbury; Frank Barlow argues in favour of Bishop Ranulf Flambard, a functionary within the household of William I of England, as the first, and points out that the role began, perhaps, with Odo of Bayeux in his relationship with William I. However, Flambard was not a chief justiciar but was probably the first to exercise the powers of a justiciar. It was not until the reign of Henry II that the title was exclusively applied to the king's chief minister. The chief justiciar invariably was a great noble or churchman, and the office became very powerful and important; enough to be a threat to the King. The last great justiciar, Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent, was removed from office in 1232, and the chancellor soon took the position formerly occupied by the chief justiciar as second to the king in dignity, as well as in power and influence. Under King Edward I the office of justiciar was replaced by separate heads for the three branches into which the King's Court was divided: justices of the Court of Common Pleas, justices of the Court of King's Bench and barons of the Court of Exchequer. List of (chief) justiciars of England Justiciar Connected to: Justiciar of South WalesJusticiar of North WalesPrincipality of Wales From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) In Medieval England and Scotland the Chief Justiciar (later known simply as the Justiciar) was roughly equivalent to a modern Prime Minister[1] as the monarch's chief minister. Similar positions existed in Continental Europe, particularly in Norman Italy and in the Carolingian empire. The term is the English form of the medieval Latin justiciarius or justitiarius ("man of justice", i.e. judge). A similar office was formed in Scotland, though there were usually two or three: the Justiciar of Scotia, the Justiciar of Lothian and, in the 13th century, the Justiciar of Galloway. These offices later evolved into a national one called Lord Justice-General. The Justiciar of Ireland was an office established during English rule. Following the conquest of the Principality of Wales in the 13th century, the areas that became personal fiefs of the English monarchs were placed under the control of the Justiciar of North Wales and the Justiciar of South Wales. England In the Kingdom of England the term justiciar originally referred to any officer of the King's Court (Curia Regis), or, indeed, anyone who possessed a law court of his own or was qualified to act as a judge in the shire-courts. In each English shire, the sheriff was the king's representative in all matters. The only appeal against decisions of the sheriff or his courts was to the king. During the reign of William Rufus many sheriffs were severely overworked; Rufus eased the burden by appointing local justiciars in some shires. The Norman kings were often overseas and appointed a justiciar, regent or lieutenant to represent them in the kingdom, as the sheriff did in the shire. Later this post became known as the Chief Justiciar (or royal capital justiciar), although the titles were not generally used contemporaneously.[2] Some historians claim the first in the post was Roger of Salisbury; Frank Barlow argues in favour of Bishop Ranulf Flambard, a functionary within the household of William I of England, as the first, and points out that the role began, perhaps, with Odo of Bayeux in his relationship with William I.[3] However, Flambard was not a chief justiciar but was probably the first to exercise the powers of a justiciar. It was not until the reign of Henry II that the title was exclusively applied to the king's chief minister.[2] The chief justiciar was invariably a great noble or churchman, and the office became very powerful and important; enough to be a threat to the King. The last great justiciar, Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent, was removed from office in 1232, and the chancellor soon took the position formerly occupied by the chief justiciar as second to the king in dignity, as well as in power and influence. Under King Edward I the office of justiciar was replaced by separate heads for the three branches into which the King's Court was divided: justices of the Court of Common Pleas, justices of the Court of King's Bench and barons of the Court of Exchequer. List of (chief) justiciars of England Name Term King(s) Roger of Salisbury 1102–1116? Henry I Ralph Basset 1116 Richard Basset (Justiciar) Roger of Salisbury ?–1139 Stephen Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester 1154–68 (jointly with Richard de Luci) Henry II Richard de Luci 1154–79 Ranulf de Glanville 1180–89 Richard I William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex 1189 (jointly with Hugh de Puiset) Hugh de Puiset, Bishop of Durham December 1189 – April 1190 William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely 1189–91 Walter de Coutances, Archbishop of Rouen 1191–93 Hubert Walter, Bishop of Salisbury 1194–98 Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex 11 July 1198 – 14 October 1213 John Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester 1213–1215 Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent 1215–1232 Henry III Stephen de Segrave ?–1234 Hugh Bigod 1258–60 Hugh le Despencer 1260 – May 1261, July 1263 – 4 August 1265 Philip Basset May 1261–? Scotland Main article: Commission of Justiciary In Scotland, justiciars were the king's lieutenants for judicial and administrative purposes. The office was established in the 12th century, either by Alexander I or by his successor, David I. The title of "Justiciar" was reserved for two or three high officials, the chief one—the Justiciar of Scotia—having his jurisdiction to the north of the River Forth. The Justiciar of Lothian dealt with the part of the kingdom south of the Forth-Clyde line. The role of justiciar evolved into the current Lord Justice-General, the head of the High Court of Justiciary, head of the judiciary in Scotland, and a member of the Royal Household. The Duke of Argyll still holds the hereditary title of High Justiciar of Argyll, but no responsibilities now attach to it. Wales Main articles: Justiciar of North Wales and Justiciar of South Wales Following Edward I of England's conquest of the Principality of Wales (1277–1283), the Statute of Rhuddlan established the governance of the areas of Wales under direct royal control. The new counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and Merioneth were administered on behalf of the king by the Justiciar of North Wales, while Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire were placed under the control of the Justiciar of South Wales. Ireland Main article: Chief governor of Ireland The title "justiciar" or "chief justiciar" commonly was borne by the chief governor of Ireland in the centuries after the Norman invasion of Ireland. By the fifteenth century the chief governor was usually styled the King's Lieutenant, with the justiciar a subordinate judicial role that evolved into Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Other jurisdictions For the Italian institution, see Justiciarate. The title Justiciar was given by Henry II of England to the Seneschal of Normandy.[2] In the 12th century, a magister justitiarius appeared in the Norman kingdom of Sicily, presiding over the Royal Court (Magna Curia), empowered, with his assistants, to decide, inter alia, all cases reserved to the Crown.[2] There is no clear evidence that this title and office were borrowed from England; it was probably based on a Norman practice instituted in both realms. In the 13th century the office of justiciar was instituted in several principal localities around Sicily. In medieval Sweden, the lagman ("lawspeaker") was the judge, or person learned in law, for a province, an area with several local district courts. Since the position corresponds to the general meaning of "justiciar" "justiciar" is often used to translate "lagman" in English texts. Lagmän (plural) were generally also members of the ..
  13. Title: Robert "Bossu" de Meulan, Earl of Leicester, in The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg 147-148 [See document in the Memories section]
    Author: The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg 147-148
    Note: Robert "Bossu" de Meulan, Earl of Leicester, in The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg 147-148 [See document in the Memories section]
    Page: Robert "Bossu" de Meulan, Earl of Leicester, in The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg 147-148 [See document in the Memories section]
  14. Title: Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, in Burke's Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extint Peerages, pg. 42 [See document in the memories section]
    Author: Burke's Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extint Peerages, pg. 42
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, in Burke's Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extint Peerages, pg. 42 [See document in the memories section]
  15. Title: Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, in The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg. 145-147 [See document in the Memories section]
    Author: The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg. 145-147
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, in The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg. 145-147 [See document in the Memories section]
    Page: Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, in The Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 1, pg. 145-147 [See document in the Memories section]
  16. Title: Wikiwand: Leicester Abbey
    Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Leicester_Abbey;
    Note: The Abbey of Saint Mary de Pratis, more commonly known as Leicester Abbey, was an Augustinian religious house in the city of Leicester, in the East Midlands of England. The abbey was founded in the 12th century by the Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and grew to become the wealthiest religious establishment within Leicestershire. Through patronage and donations the abbey gained the advowsons of countless churches throughout England, and acquired a considerable amount of land, and several manorial lordships. Leicester Abbey also maintained a cell (a small dependent daughter house) at Cockerham Priory, in Lancashire. The Abbey's prosperity was boosted through the passage of special privileges by both the English Kings and the Pope. These included an exemption from sending representatives to parliament and from paying tithe on certain land and livestock. Despite its privileges and sizeable landed estates, from the late 14th century the abbey began to suffer financially and was forced to lease out its estates. The worsening financial situation was exacerbated throughout the 15th century and early 16th century by a series of incompetent, corrupt and extravagant abbots. By 1535 the abbey's considerable income was exceeded by even more considerable debts. The abbey provided a home to an average of 30 to 40 canons, sometimes known as Black Canons, because of their dress (a white habit and black cloak). One of these canons, Henry Knighton, is notable for his Chronicle, which was written during his time at the abbey in the 14th century. In 1530 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey died at the abbey, whilst traveling south to face trial for treason. A few years later, in 1538, the abbey was dissolved, and was quickly demolished, with the building materials reused in various structures across Leicester, including a mansion which was built on the site. The house passed through several aristocratic families, and became known as Cavendish House after it was acquired by the 1st Earl of Devonshire, in 1613. The house was eventually looted and destroyed by fire in 1645, following the capture of Leicester during the English Civil War. Part of the former abbey precinct was donated to Leicester Town Council (the predecessor of the modern City Council) by the 8th Earl of Dysart. In 1882 it was opened by The Prince of Wales and became known as Abbey Park. The remaining 32 acres (13 ha), which included the abbey's site and the ruins of Cavendish House, were donated to the council by the 9th Earl of Dysart in 1925 and, following archaeological excavations, opened to the public in the 1930s. Following its demolition, the exact location of the abbey was lost; it was only rediscovered during excavations in the 1920s/30s, when the layout was plotted using low stone walls. The abbey has been extensively excavated and was previously used for training archaeology students at the University of Leicester. Leicester Abbey is now protected as a scheduled monument and is Grade I Listed. History Foundation Leicester Abbey was founded during a wave of monastic enthusiasm that swept through western Christendom in the 11th and 12th centuries. This wave was responsible for the foundation of the majority of England's monasteries, and very few were founded after the 13th century. These monasteries were often founded by a wealthy aristocratic benefactor who endowed and patronized the establishments in return for prayers for their soul, and often, the right to be buried within the monastic church. Leicester Abbey was founded in the Augustinian tradition. The monks at the abbey were known as canons, and followed the monastic rules set down by Saint Augustine of Hippo. Sometimes known as Black Canons, because of their dress (a white habit and black cloak), Augustinian Canons lived a clerical life engaged in public ministry; this is distinct to other forms of monasticism in which monks were cloistered from the outside world, and lived an isolated, contemplative life. Leicester Abbey was founded in 1143 by Robert le Bossu, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was not the first abbey Robert had established, having founded Garendon Abbey, also in Leicestershire, in 1133. Robert's father, Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, had previously founded a college of secular canons in Leicester, known as The College of St Mary de Castro. The new abbey assumed control of the college and its possessions, which included all of the churches in Leicester. Robert added to this with the gift of numerous churches in Leicestershire, Berkshire and Northamptonshire. The abbey also gained the manor of Asfordby from its merger with the college, and the manor of Knighton from its founder. The earls of Leicester continued to patronise the abbey: Petronilla de Grandmesnil, wife of the founder's son, Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester, financed the construction of the abbey's Great Choir; whilst her husband donated 24 virgates (720 acres) of land at Anstey. In 1148, Pope Eugene III granted the abbey an exemption on paying tithe for their newly acquired land and livestock. This was granted on the condition that there was to be no impropriety or violence when electing an abbot, and that those who donated money to the abbey could be buried within it, regardless of whether they had been excommunicated. 14th century Though the abbey was a religious house, it was attacked in 1326 by the Earl of Lancaster's soldiers, who seized property belonging to Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester, which was being kept there. Under the Abbotship of William Clowne (tenure: 1345–1378) the abbey prospered, increasing their lands and endowments with acquisitions such as the manors of Ingarsby and Kirkby Mallory. Clowne is described as having "friendly relations" with King Edward III, and used this to gain further privileges for the abbey, including being exempted from having to send representatives to Parliament. However, by the late 14th century, the abbey had entered a difficult period, and its income began to fall. It was during this period that the abbey was home to canon Henry of Knighton, who wrote "Knighton's Chronicon." The chronicle includes both Knighton's contemporary experiences, between 1377 and 1395, and a historical section recording events between 1066 and 1366. Knighton chronicles the impact of John Wycliffe, the rise of the Lollards, and gives an unusually favourable account of John of Gaunt. Knighton's chronicle is valued by historians for his contemporary account of the Black Death in Leicester, which has been compared with Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron, which chronicles the plague in Florence. His in depth account records the effects of the Black Death on Leicester. This includes the impact on the prices of food, grain, wine and cattle, and on changes in wages and the labour market. The chronicle also includes detailed death tolls for all of Leicester's parishes, revealing that one-third of the population of Leicester were killed by the disease. Following the deaths of canons within the abbey, Knighton theorizes that it was punishment because of "the ordination of candidates ill-prepared and but little suited for the sacred ministry." The chronicle was not published until 1652. 15th century In the 15th century the abbey began to lease out its land (most probably as a solution to their falling income). By 1477 only the demesne lands in Leicester, Stoughton and Ingarsby remained un-leased, and were directly farmed by the abbey. Philip Repyngdon served as Abbot of Leicester Abbey from 1393 to 1405, when he resigned to become "Chaplain and Confessor" to King Henry IV, and subsequently served as Bishop of Lincoln and as a Cardinal. Repyngdon's successor, Richard of Rothely, was granted a Royal Licence permitting him to ask the Pope for to remove the abbey from the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction, as the abbot feared Repyngdon would interfere with his former abbey, which lay within that Diocese. It is unclear if the Pope ever agreed to this petition, as Repyngdon also petitioned the Pope; receiving a declaration confirming that Leicester Abbey was "fully subject to him and his successors." Under the tenure of Abbot William Sadyngton (1420—42) the abbey's fortunes fell further. A visit by William Alnwick, Bishop of Lincoln, in 1440, revealed the number of canons had fallen from 30 to 40 to just 14 and that the number of boys in the almonry had fallen from 25 to 6. Sadyngton was accused of various unsavory practices: of accepting unsuitable boys into the almonry in return for money, of "pocketing various minor revenues," of "keeping the offices of treasurer and cellarer in his own hands" and of not disclosing the abbey's accounts to his canons. Sadyngton was also known to keep servants and was even accused of practicing magic, including divination. Despite Abbot Sadyngton's apparent financial corruption, the abbey appeared to be financially stable: the abbey's monastic buildings had recently been extensively rebuilt and the abbey had a substantial annual income of £1180. Perhaps because of the large income the Abbot was sustaining, Bishop Alnwick appears to have not taken strong measures against the Abbot's indiscretions. He ordered that the number of canons should be increased to 30 and the number of boys in the almonry increased to 16. The Bishop also ordered proper accounts to be kept and forbade the abbot from granting favors without the permission of both the Bishop and the Canons. 16th century In 1518 William Atwater, Bishop of Lincoln, visited to inspect the abbey. The Abbot, Richard Pescall, was, like Sadyngton, accused of financial impropriety, but also was thought to be too old to perform his duties. Pescall's extravagances included an "excessive number of hounds," which were known to roam freely "fouling church, chapter house and cloister"; whilst the Bishop complained the boys in the almonry were being imp..
  17. Title: Wikiwand: Brackley
    Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Brackley;
    Note: Brackley is a market town in South Northamptonshire, England, on the borders with Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. 19 miles (31 km) from Oxford and 22 miles (35 km) from Northampton. Historically a market town based on the wool and lace trade, it was built on the intersecting trade routes between London, Birmingham and the Midlands and Cambridge and Oxford. Brackley is close to Silverstone and home to the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. History Brackley, originally also known as Brachelai or Brackele, was held in 1086 by Earl Alberic. After this it passed to the Earl of Leicester, and to the families of De Quincy and Roland. It was recorded in the Doomsday book. In the 11th and 12th centuries Brackley was in the Hundred of Odboldistow and in the Manor of Halse. Richard I (The Lionheart) named five official sites for jousting tournaments so that such events could not be used as local wars, and Brackley was one of these. The tournament site is believed to be to the south of the castle where the A422 now passes. The town was the site of an important meeting between the barons and representatives of the King in 1215, the year of Magna Carta. Magna Carta required King John to proclaim rights, respect laws and accept that the King's wishes were subject to law. It explicitly protected certain rights of the King's subjects, whether freemen, serfs, slaves or prisoners—most notably allowing appeal against unlawful imprisonment. King John and the barons were to have signed Magna Carta at Brackley Castle, but they eventually did so at Runnymede. Market day was on Sundays until 1218, when it was changed to Wednesdays. It is now on Friday mornings. The Tudor antiquary John Leland visited Brackley, where he learned "a Lord of the Towne" named Neville had (at an uncertain point in the past) had the parish vicar murdered. This he had done by having the man buried alive. The writer Daniel Codd observed that in the grounds of St Peter's Church, a human-shaped stone effigy is sometimes pointed out as being connected with the event. In 1597 the town was incorporated by Elizabeth I. It had a mayor, six aldermen and 26 burgesses. In 1602, the metaphysical poet John Donne was elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Brackley. Brackley used to be known for wool and lace-making. It had 20 houses in the 18th century. In 1901 the population of the town was 2,467. Brackley Poor Law Union Brackley used the poor house at Culworth until 1834, when Parliament passed the Poor Law Amendment Act and as a result Brackley Poor Law Union was founded. A workhouse for 250 people was built in 1836, southwest of the town on Banbury Road. It was demolished in the 1930s. Notable buildings Castle Brackley Castle was built soon after 1086. Its earthwork remains lie between Hinton Road and Tesco. It comprised a motte mound 10 feet (3.0 m) high and approximately 44 yards (40 m) in diameter with an outer bailey to the east. Archaeological excavation has revealed evidence of a ditch defining the perimeter of the bailey. Two fishponds originally lay outside the ditch but have subsequently been infilled – however south of St. James Lake may have formed a part of this. Brackley Castle may have gone out of use in 1147. It was destroyed between 1173 (when the then lord of the manor, the Earl of Leicester, Robert le Blancmain, fell out with Henry II) and 1217 (when the Earl of Winchester, Blancmain's heir, was on the losing side against Henry III during the First Barons' War. The site was later granted to the Hospital of SS. James and John. Parish church The oldest part of the Church of England parish church of Saint Peter at the eastern end of the town center is an 11th-century Norman south doorway. Both the four-bay arcade of the south aisle and the west tower with its niches containing seated statues were added in the 13th century. Next the chancel was rebuilt, probably late in the 13th century. The north arcade and the windows in both the north and south aisles were probably added early in the 14th century, about the same time as the Decorated Gothic chapel was added to the chancel. Medieval hospitals In about 1150 Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester founded the Hospital of St. James and St. John. Its master was a priest, assisted by a number of religious brothers. Its duties included providing accommodation and care for poor travellers. In the 15th century there were complaints that successive masters were absentees, holding other livings at the same time as being in charge of the hospital. The hospital was closed in 1423 for maladministration but re-established in 1425. In 1449 a master was appointed who seems to have continued the practice of non-residence while holding parish livings elsewhere. In 1484 the patron, Viscount Lovell granted control of the hospital to William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, citing its failure to give hospitality and alms. Parish church The oldest part of the Church of England parish church of Saint Peter at the eastern end of the town centre is an 11th-century Norman south doorway.[11] Both the four-bay arcade of the south aisle[12] and the west tower with its niches containing seated statues[11] were added in the 13th century. Next the chancel was rebuilt, probably late in the 13th century.[12] The north arcade and the windows in both the north and south aisles were probably added early in the 14th century, about the same time as the Decorated Gothic chapel was added to the chancel.[12] Medieval hospitals In about 1150 Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester founded the Hospital of St. James and St. John. Its master was a priest, assisted by a number of religious brothers. Its duties included providing accommodation and care for poor travelers. In the 15th century there were complaints that successive masters were absentees, holding other livings at the same time as being in charge of the hospital. The hospital was closed in 1423 for maladministration but re-established in 1425. In 1449 a master was appointed who seems to have continued the practice of non-residence while holding parish livings elsewhere. In 1484 the patron, Viscount Lovell granted control of the hospital to William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, citing its failure to give hospitality and alms. Waynflete had founded Magdalen College, Oxford in 1458 and Magdalen College School, Oxford in 1480. He made the former hospital part of their property and by 1548 it was Magdalen College School, Brackley. St James' chapel became the school chapel, in which use it remains today. It is the oldest building in Great Britain in continuous use by a school. The oldest part of the chapel is the west doorway, which is late Norman. Most of its windows are slightly later, being Early English Gothic lancet windows. The trio of stepped lancets above the west doorway are late 13th century. The Gothic Revival architect Charles Buckeridge restored the chapel in 1869–70. The Hospital of St. Leonard was a smaller institution, founded to care for lepers. It was ½ mile (800 m) from SS. James and John, apparently on the northern edge of Brackley. It was in existence by 1280. After 1417 it shared the same master as SS. James and John and thereafter there is no separate record of St. Leonard's, so the larger hospital may have taken it over. No buildings of St. Leonard's hospital have survived. Secular buildings The almshouses were founded in 1633 by Sir Thomas Crewe of Steane. They have one-storey-plus attic dormers. They were originally six houses but by 1973 they had been converted into four apartments. Brackley Manor House was also a 17th-century Jacobean building that also originally had one storey plus attic dormers. In 1875–78 the Earl of Ellesmere had it rebuilt on a larger scale, in the same style but retaining only the doorway and one window of the original building. It is now Winchester House School, a coeducational preparatory school for children aged from 3–13. It used to be a Woodard School. The town hall is Georgian, built in 1706 by the 4th Earl of Bridgewater. The ground floor was originally open but has since been enclosed. Market Place and Bridge Street feature number of other early 18th-century houses and inns, mostly of brick and in several cases combining red and blue bricks in a chequer pattern. The town park belongs to the National Trust and hosts the Folk in the Park festival. Transport Roads and buses Brackley is close to the A43 road, which now bypasses the town, linking it to Towcester and Northampton to the north-east and the M40 motorway to the west. The A422 links it to Banbury and Buckingham. The town has numerous bus services and is connected to major towns and cities including Banbury (499, 500), Bicester, Buckingham, Towcester, Oxford and Northampton (currently 88) In 2003 the X38 Oxford-Northampton express service became the X6 with the introduction of the 88 to serve villages en route to Northampton (such as Towcester, Blisworth and Milton Malsor). In September 2007, Stagecoach Midlands' Oxford-Brackley-Towcester-Northampton services were reduced with the merging of the 88 and X6 as route X88. In September 2011 the 88 service covering the Northampton to Oxford route, was replaced by the 8. The route of which starts at Northampton and now terminates at Bicester. After 2016, the 8 was renumbered once again to 88 with timetable changes. A few months later, the 88 was further reduced only running between Northampton and Silverstone, with one off-peak journey numbered X88 and terminating at Brackley Tesco. In November 2017 the reintroduction of an almost hourly route 88 to Northampton. Also using the same vehicle and driver a brand new hourly service x91 has been introduced going to Milton Keynes. The financial support for both of these come from "Section 106" money from house builders required to improve local amenities. These services replace the X88 buses which had previously run in peak times to Northampt..
  18. Title: Robert De Leicester in the Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22
    Author: Kennett - Lluelyn (Vol 11) page 866 "Leicester, Earl of"
    Publication: Name: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=1981&h=4581&indiv=try;
    Note: 1st Earl Name: Robert De Leicester [Robert De] [Beaumont] Birth Date: 1104 Death Date: 1168
  19. Title: Burke's Extinct Peerage and Baronage
    Author: Burke's Peerage and Baronage, 106th Edition, Charles Mosley, Editor-In-Chief {1999}, Page number: 1671
    Note: !CHIEF JUSTICIAR OF ENGLAND, COUNT OF MEULAN , EARL OF LEICESTER, TWICE VICEROY [BURKS DORMANT AND EXTINCT PEERAGES]; On Leicester, Earldom of [Burke's Peerage, p 1671]: Robert de Beaumont, a companion in arms of William I (The Conqueror) at Hastings was granted after the Conquest much land in the Midlands of Englnad, but most of it was in Warwickshire rather than Leicestershire. Indeed his younger brother became Earl of Warwick. Robert also held territory in Normandy and is usmaclly referred to as Count of Meulan. He was a ledding political figure in the reigns of William II and Henry I and on the death of one Ives de Grandmesnil in the First Crusade, the funds for campaigning in which Ives had raised from Robert on the secuity of his estates, [Robert] came into full possession of them, including a sizeable part of Leicester. The rest of the town was granted him by Henry I and it is possible that he becam Earl of Leicester. His son, another Robert, certainly called himself Earl of Leicester.
    Page: Migrated from user-supplied source citation: urn:familysearch:source:2736743040
  20. Title: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1104–1168), Wikipedia
    Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Beaumont,_2nd_Earl_of_Leicester
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Beaumont,_2nd_Earl_of_Leicester;
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1104 – 5 April 1168) was Justiciar of England 1155–1168. Also known as Robert Boissu, Robert Beamond and Robert Beaumonde. He was the son of Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan and 1st Earl of Leicester, and Elizabeth de Vermandois, and the twin brother of Waleran de Beaumont. He married after 1120 Amice de Montfort, daughter of Raoul II de Montfort, himself a son of Ralph de Gael, Earl of East Anglia. Both families had lost their English inheritances through rebellion in 1075. They had four children: Hawise de Beaumont, who married William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester and had descendants. Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester who married Petronilla de Grandmesnil and had descendants. Isabel, who married Simon de St. Liz, Earl of Huntingdon and had descendants. Margaret, who married Ralph IV de Toeni and had descendants through their daughter, Ida de Tosny. Lord High Steward (1154–1168) Chief Justiciar (1154–1168) Earl of Leicester 1118–1168
    Page: biography
  21. Title: Wikiwand: Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester
    Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Robert_de_Beaumont,_1st_Earl_of_Leicester;
    Note: Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester (c. 1040/1050 – 5 June 1118), also known as Robert of Meulan, Count of Meulan, was a powerful Norman nobleman, one of the companions of William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England, and was revered as one of the wisest men of his age. Chroniclers spoke highly of his eloquence, his learning, and three kings of England valued his counsel. He was granted considerable lands in the Midlands by William and Henry I and made the Earl of Leicester. Biography Robert was born between 1040–1050, the eldest son of Roger de Beaumont (1015–1094) by his wife Adeline of Meulan (died 1081), a daughter of Waleran III, Count de Meulan, and was an older brother of Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick (c. 1050–1119) Robert de Beaumont was one of only a small number of men known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, as well as being a cousin of William, and was leader of the infantry on the right wing of the Norman army, as evidenced in the following near contemporary account by William of Poitiers: "A certain Norman, Robert, son of Roger of Beaumont, being nephew and heir to Henry, Count of Meulan, through Henry's sister Adeline, found himself that day in battle for the first time. He was as yet but a young man and he performed feats of valor worthy of perpetual remembrance. At the head of a troop which he commanded on the right wing he attacked with the utmost bravery and success." His service earned him the grant of more than 91 English manors confiscated from the defeated English, as listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. When his mother died in 1081, Robert inherited the title of Count of Meulan in Normandy, and the title Viscount Ivry and Lord of Norton. He paid homage to King Philip I of France for these estates and sat as a French Peer in the Parliament held at Poissy. He and his brother Henry were members of the Royal hunting party in the New Forest in Hampshire when King William II "Rufus" (1087–1100) was shot dead accidentally by an arrow on 2 August 1100. He pledged allegiance to William II's brother, King Henry I (1100–1135), who created him Earl of Leicester in 1107. On the death of William Rufus, William, Count of Évreux and Ralph de Conches made an incursion into Robert's Norman estates, on the pretence they had suffered injury through some advice that Robert had given to the king; their raid was successful and they collected a vast booty. During the English phase of the Investiture Controversy, he was excommunicated by Pope Paschal II on 26 March 1105 for advising King Henry to continue selecting the bishops of his realm in opposition to the canons of the church. Sometime in 1106, Henry succeeded in having Anselm, the exiled archbishop of Canterbury, revoke this excommunication. Anselm's (somewhat presumptuous) act was ultimately ratified by Paschal. According to Henry of Huntingdon, Robert died of shame after "a certain earl carried off the lady he had espoused, either by some intrigue or by force and stratagem." He was the last surviving Norman nobleman to have fought in the Battle of Hastings. Robert de Beaumont was buried at the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Préaux in Normandy. Family In 1096, he married Elizabeth (or Isabel) de Vermandois, daughter of Hugh Magnus (1053-1101) a younger son of the French king and Adelaide, Countess of Vermandois (1050-1120). After his death Elizabeth remarried in 1118 to William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey. He had the following progeny: 1. Waleran IV de Beaumont, Count of Meulan, 1st Earl of Worcester (b. 1104), eldest twin and heir. 2. Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester & Earl of Hereford (b. 1104), twin 3. Hugh de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Bedford (born c. 1106) 1. Emma de Beaumont (born 1102) 2. Adeline de Beaumont, married twice: 1. Hugh IV of Montfort-sur-Risle; 2. Richard de Granville of Bideford (died 1147) 3. Aubree de Beaumont, married Hugh II of Châteauneuf-Thimerais. 4. Agnes de Beaumont, a nun 5. Maud de Beaumont, married William Lovel (born c. 1102) 6. Isabel de Beaumont, a mistress of King Henry I. Married twice: 1. Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke; 2. Hervé de Montmorency, Constable of Ireland In popular culture Television Robert De Beaumont is portrayed by Jotham Annan in the 3 part BBC drama-documentary presented by Dan Snow, 1066: A Year to Conquer England. Sources . Edward T. Beaumont, J.P. The Beaumonts in History. A.D. 850-1850. Oxford.
    Page: Ancestry
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