Norman and Plantagent

Richard I, The Fearless

Richard II, the Good

Richard II, the Good , son of Richard I, the Fearless, d. Aug 1027; m. ca. 1000-1008 to Judith of Brittany , b. 982. Richard II the Good was the Duke of Normandy. Richard II & Judith of Brittany had two (2) sons:

Robert I , duke of Normandy

1. Robert I , duke of Normandy , son of Richard II & Judith of Brittany ,d. 22 Jul 1035. Had a child with Herleve, daughter of Fulbert of Falaise (a tanner). When Robert left on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem he left his son William under the protection of the French King (Henry I?).

1.1. William I, b. ca. 1027; d. 1087
1.2. Adelaide , m. Lambert of Boulogne (See Boulogne)

Richard III

2. Richard III, son of Richard II, the Good & Judith of Brittany , had by a mistress:

NORMAN AND PLANTAGENET

William I the Conqueror [i]

1.1. William I the Conqueror , illegitimate son of Robert I & Herleve, b. 1027, Falaise; d. 9 Sept 1087, Rouen, from injuries received while warring with Philip I of France ; bur. Church of St., Stephen at Caen; m. 1053 to Matilda (or Maud) of Flanders , daughter of Baldwin V & Adele de France ; b. 1032; d. 3 Nov 1083. She descends from the old Anglo-Saxon line of kings.

William was known to his contemporaries as William the Bastard . William came to rule as the duke of Normandy in 1035 at the age of seven (7). During the following 10 years there was unrest due to his young age. In the mid 1040's, he began to rule on his own. There was constant war in Normandy during this time, from rebel Normans and William's neighbors. It was during this time that he gained the reputation of being a ruthless campaigner.

In 1053, William asked Count Baldwin of Flanders for the hand of his daughter Matilda. The Count approved of the marriage, however the Pope refused to marry the couple on the basis that they were too closely related. William was not easily deterred. The couple proceeded with the marriage, for several reasons: 1) the alliance with Flanders; 2) but most importantly he was in love.

The Norman army met the English on 14 Oct 1066 at Hastings. Here the Norman army was able to defeat the English . At the end of the battle Harold was found to have been killed. William advanced from Hastings to Dover, Canterbury then onward to London. It is here in London where Duke William met the element of resistance. The resistance was organized under Edgar Atheling (son of Edward the Atheling). Meeting with resistance at London Bridge the Norman army marched around the city leaving in its wake a trail of destruction. At Berkhamstead, William was met by the English nobles led by Edgar. It was here that they pledged their loyalty to William. William was crowned king of all England in London on Christmas Day in 1066, in Westminster Abbey. The submission of the English Barons was only temporary. Revolt broke out, but each rebellion was met with swift defeat and equally swift retribution. Estates of the English Barons were confiscated and their ownership transferred to Normans loyal to William. By the end of 1071, England was ruled by a French speaking aristocracy.

The Norman invasion of Britain was recorded at the time by the Empress Matilda , the wife of William the Conqueror on the Bayeux Tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry was produced by Matilda and her handmaidens. The tapestry contains seventy two pictures, depicting over six hundred people and including as well as animals. The tapestry was finished around 1077. The tapestry shows the events leading which led up to the conquest and the battle itself . The main characters of the tapestry are William and King Harold who are repeatedly shown within the panels. Also depicted are many other knights and noblemen on both sides of the conflict. The fighting men are shown in the armour of the time with sword, spear and shield. The shields often show representations of what we now claim to be coats-of-arms.

After his conquest of England, William began a period of castle building throughout England. He built the castles of Penvensey and Dover. In February 1067, he returned to Normandy leaving orders that castles were to be built far and wide throughout England. In complying with this order the castles built at Lincoln and Norwich were done so on lands confiscated from the peasants.[ii]The Domesday Book, a population and property survey of the country was started in 1086 by William. The information was gathered by groups of commissioners who were sent into every part of England. Here they collected the detailed information from each village, by sworn testimony. The information collected included who held land and also a value of each holding and the value of the livestock. It proved to be a valuable resource to the king and today as a glimpse into the lives of those who lived during that time. At the end of 1086, William left England, to return to Normandy, where he engaged in war with Philip I , of France , it was during this confrontation that William died from injuries sustained in battle.

During his lifetime he was feared. His English subjects knew him for his oppression, castle building, extraction and avarice. His more ‘human’ qualities described him as man who loved the chase [a man who loved to hunt stags], he embraced justice, piety and rectitude. His enemies found him to be utterly relentless. His government showed his imagination as a statesman [in today's opinion - he may have been viewed as crude, however he was quite remarkable for his day]. He was notably kind to those men who loved God[iii]. William was the only one in his line that was faithful to his wife, Matilda who bore him nine children. They were described as an odd-looking couple. William was about 5' 10'' and Matilda 4' 2". It is said that at the time of his death William, was so fat he looked like a pregnant woman

1.1.1.     Henry I, b. 1068 ; d. 1135
1.1.2.     Robert Curthose , d. 1134, in prison at Cardiff Castle. As Duke of Normandy he sold Normandy to his brother William for 10,000 marks to finance a crusade. Robert felt that he was entitled to his father's wealth and power. Being disgruntled with his position he was easily manipulated by William's enemies into conspiracies against his father.
1.1.3.     William II Rufus , b. ca. 1056; d. 2 Aug 1100, hunting accident in the New Forest. King of England prior to his brother Henry I. William Rufus never married.
1.1.4.    son
1.1.5.    Richard, d. as a youth
1.1.6.     unknown
1.1.7.    unknown
1.1.8.   unknown
1.1.9.     unknown
1.1.10. Adela, mother of the Stephen, future king of England.

Henry I, King of England [iv]

1.1.1. Henry I, King of England , son of William I the Conqueror & Matilda of Flanders , b. 1070, England; d. 1 Dec 1135, of surfeit of lampreys[v]; m. 11 Nov 1100 to Matilda (Edith) of Scotland , daughter of Malcolm II I and St. Margaret of Scotland , b. 1079, England; d. 1 May 1118; m2nd 29 Jan 1121 to Adelaide of Louvain , b. 1103; d. 23 Apr 1151, (no issue). Henry I & Matilda of Scotland had two (2) children:

Henry I was nicknamed Beauclerc (good scholar), because of his fine education. Henry I seized control of the throne by 5 Aug 1100 upon the death of this brother William II . He was crowned at Westminster on 5 Aug 1100. Matilda was crowned Queen of England on 11 Nov 1100, Westminster. Queen Matilda’s marriage to Henry I, united the Irish/Scottish, Saxon and Norman Dynasties.[vi] He issued the Charter of Liberties shortly after he ascended to the throne.

Upon his brother Robert’s return from crusade, Henry by agreement was able to retain control of England by providing a pension to his brother Robert in the amount of £2,000 a year. Later Henry captured his brother and held him prisoner for the last 28 years of his life. This document became the basis for the Magna Carta, 100 years later.

Henry I, Beauclerc was a strong, trusted, capable, ruthless, and just ruler. He was able to rapidly inspire fear and respect. During his reign he fully used every traditional instrument of government that was available. He was pious and liked to be on good terms with the Church. He ruled as King of England from 1100 to 1135. After his death, he was known as the lion of justice. His personal interest lay in the areas of hunting and preparing for war. At the end of his life he was surrounded by bastard sons, none of which could ascend to the throne under the custom of England nor the Church[vii].

Henry I, King of England & Nest, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdr , Prince of South Wales had a child:

1.1.1.4. Henry Fitz Henry , m. unknown. Henry Fitz Henry had a daughter Amabilis Fitz Henry See de Ridelisford

He is acknowledged upwards of 20 illegitimate children. Some of the illegitimate children of Henry I:

Matilda

1.1.1.2. Matilda, daughter of Henry I, King of England , & Matilda of Scotland, b. 1104; d. 10 Sept 1167; m1st - Emperor Henry V ( Germany ) , d. 1125; m2nd 3 Apr 1127 to Geoffrey, the Plantagenet , son of Count Fulk V & Erembourg, b. 24 Aug 1113; d. 7 Sept 1151, of fever, near Loire ( France ).

Matilda was the only legitimate daughter of Henry I. Matilda was the heiress of England and Normandy and claims in Maine and Brittany. She had a taste for higher office. At an early age she married Emperor Henry V ( Germany ) . Their marriage was childless. Upon the death of Henry V, the Empress returned to England to prepare to succeed to the throne. Her position was supported by the English barons, and on 1 Jan 1172 they sworn to recognize her as the Lady of England, should her father die without a male heir. Matilda was crowned queen of England in 1141. She was in constant Civil War with her cousin Stephen who had seized the English throne. Matilda’s temperament was self-willed and haughty, disinclined to make concessions to her subjects, or to good manners. She withdrew from England in 1148, never to return.

Geoffrey was the hereditary Count of Anjou . Geoffrey called Plantagenet for his habit of wearing in his cap a sprig of the broom plant, which in Latin is called planta genista. Geoffrey was also known as Geoffrey the Fair. Geoffrey conquered Normandy and gave the conquered area to his son Henry.

1.1.1.2.1. Henry II , b. 5 March 1133, Le Mans, France ; d. 1189, England.
1.1.1.2.2. Emma of Anjour
1.1.1.2.3. Geoffrey of Anjour , b. ca. 1135

Henry II, King of England [ix]

1.1.1.2.1. Henry II King of England, son of Geoffrey the Plantagenet & Matilda, b. 5 Mar 1133, Le Mans, France ; d. 16 Jul 1189, Chinon, England; bur. at Fontevrault; m. 18 May 1152, to Eleanor Duchess of Aquitaine, daughter of William VIII of Poitou & Maud of Toulouse , b. 1123; d. 3 or 31 Mar or 1 Apr 1204, Fontevrault; m1st-Louis V II, King of France ; divorced 21 Mar 1152.

Henry was described as sturdy, thick-set, of middle height, round-headed, muscular, strong arms and bow legs, clean-shave, bull-necked, having keen gray eyes that were as brilliant as lightning when roused, a lion-like face, and reddish hair. He was known to be quick to anger. Tirelessly active, although afflicted with legs that were constantly sore (from riding so much), he never sat down, not even during mass or in council. As a young man he was fully tutored. This gave him a mixture of kingliness and culture. He was the first fully literate king after the Conquest. He had a passionate curiosity about history and literature. This passion extended to war and hunting as well. An ardant lover of the woods, he would amuse himself with hawks and hounds, when not at war[x].

In 1147, Henry returned to England with a band of mercenaries to continue the fight for his mothers right to the throne. His actions were met with the disapproval of his mother. Before long Henry found himself out of money. Seeking help for his mother met with a refusal. So, using his wits and a brashness that would become his trademark, Henry approached his enemy, Stephen, for help. In what would become part of Stephen's undoing, he gave Henry the money to pay off his mercenaries and go home.

He became the Duke of Normandy in 1150. Then in 1151 he became the Count of Anjou. Through his various titles Henry was the ruler of the western half of France prior to his succession. By the summer of 1152, Henry was fighting to maintain his land holdings, he was faced with fighting on four (4) fronts: Aquitaine, Normandy, rebels in Anjou, and Stephen in England. In Aug 1153, there was a sudden and unexpected change in the situation in England, Stephen’s only heir died. This provided an opening for a negotiation to take place between Stephen and Henry. Henry crossed the Channel in midwinter of 1153 in a surprise attack against Stephen. The English barons were convinced that the only way to end the bitter war was for Stephen to declare Henry as his successor. This was accomplished through the Treaty of Westminster signed in Dec 1153. The treaty allowed Stephen to hold the kingdom for life and provided for Stephen to adopt Henry as his heir. Henry II inherited the throne of England in 1154 after the death of his uncle Stephen. He was crowned King of England on 19 Dec 1154, by the Archbishop Theobald, at Westminster at the age of 21. When Henry ascended the throne he became ruler over a kingdom that stretched from the Scottish border to the Pyrenees.

Henry was ruthless, despotic, capable, cunning, had a ferocious eagerness to see justice done, yet was not particularly moral. He was exceptional in choosing to serve him. As king of England he offered the prospect of a return to the days of his grandfather (Henry I, King of England ). As his first course of action, he set about to recover lost English territory. He was able to force Malcolm IV, King of Scotland, in 1157, to return Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Northumbria to the English crown. Henry was trusted by his followers, he respected the basic feudal code, true leader in the field, trustworthy in both success and adversity, loyalty was repaid with loyalty[xi]

He reestablished the overlordship of Scotland and Wales which had been lost during Stephen's reign. He attempted to establish overlordship of Toulouse, a region which included in his wife's inheritance. He went on to conquer Brittany and then overhauled the English legal system. He was later known as the father of English common law. Many of innovations that he made are manifest today in the form of localized and complex government.

Eleanor held the titles of Duchess of Aquitaine and Countess of Poitou. She was the Queen of France during her 14 year marriage to Louis V II, the Young . During Eleanor’s first marriage to Louis VII, she accompanied him on the first and second Crusade to the Holy Land. They departed on the second Crusade in 1147. Returning to France in 1150, after 2 ½ years away. After their return, it became apparent that neither Louis nor Eleanor were suited to life together, their marriage was dissolved on 21 Mar 1152, Beaugency ( France ) the grounds for the dissolution was “blood relationship”. In order to claim that the two were “blood relations” one is required to go back nearly two centuries to find a common ancestor. However during this period, it was felt that no matter how distant it was inappropriate for cousins to marry. At the time of the dissolution of their marriage Eleanor allowed to retain her titles of Duchess of Aquitaine and Countess of Poitou. Her daughters were declared legitimate and their custody was awarded to their father, Louis VII[xiii].

à Marie, b. 1145 ; m. ca. 1154, at the age of nine to Henry, Count of Champagne , b. ca. 1136. She then became the Countess of Champagne.
à Alix, b. 1150 (shortly after her parents return from the 2^nd Crusade)

In January 1169, Henry conferred some of his royal power to his children, granting and confirming them the titles that they had been assigned at birth. In 1171 he began the conquest of Ireland. While campaigning in Ireland, Henry became aware of Eleanor’s build up of influence over his three (3) eldest sons and the peoples within her domain. Henry removed Prince Henry from Eleanor’s court in 1173. Shortly after attempting to remove his son from Eleanor’s influence, he invaded Poitou sacking and burning the castles of rebellious vassals. In 1179, Henry had introduced the concept of trial by jury to the country. It was during this invasion that Eleanor was captured and taken prisoner. In 1181, he was able to acquire Brittany. Henry II ruled England from 1154 to 1189. Under his rule to the position of the king was very powerful. He later was thought of as the father of English Common Law.

The relationship between Henry and Eleanor was strained due in part to his various and many extra marital relationships that he maintained. During the course of their twenty year marriage love had given way to indifference and from indifference to active hostility. Around 1170, Eleanor asserted her independence and removed from England to her domain in Poitou. She apparently had taken her children with her as Richard is found ruling by her side as count-duke. In Poitou, she presided over tournaments, musical and literary gatherings and splendid festivities. She set the standard of fashion and behavior. While attending her courts of love in Poitou, she was also plotting and counterplotting and inciting her sons against their father. Eleanor was imprisoned by Henry for ten years at the castle of Old Sarum[xv], in the Salisbury Tower, England.

Henry was plagued with rebellious sons. But Henry's preference for John was obvious. In July, 1189, with his health failing, Henry accepted a humiliating peace. It was at this time that Henry was given a list of names of those who had fought against him. Much to his sorrowful surprise he found his son, John's name among them. According to chroniclers of Henry he was hear to say, "Enough; now let things go as they may; I care no more for myself or for the world ... Shame, shame on a conquered king." .

1.1.1.2.1.1.   Guillaume (son), b. ca. 1152; d. infancy.
1.1.1.2.1.2.    Prince Henry Fitz Henry , b. 1152. He was heir to Maine and Anjou. d. Jun 1183, Martel. He was m. (in infancy) to Marguerite, daughter of Louis V II .   The area of Anjou produced two (2) essential commodities necessary during this time, wine & salt. He was often called Henry Curtmantle , because of the short cloak that he often wore. Crowned in 1170 at Westminster, he was also made Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou. He became known as the Young King.
1.1.1.2.1.3.    Matilda
1.1.1.2.1.4.    Richard I, Coeur de Lion (the Lion-hearted), b. 1157, Oxford, England; d. 26 Mar 1199, from wounds received at the siege of the Castle of Chalus, England.; m. Berengaria, Princess of Navarre. Heir to the county of Poitou and duchy of Aquitaine. The area of Aquitaine produced two (2) essential commodities necessary during this time, wine & salt He led the Third Crusade to try to free Palestine from the Muslims. In 1167, Richard was made Duke of Aquitaine. Richard joined with Philip I I of France in an attempt to destroy the Angevin empire and his father, Henry. He ruled England from 1189 to 1199. Richard left control of the government to William Longchamp .   He left no issue.
1.1.1.2.1.5.    Geoffréy, b. 1158 . Count of Brittany, Count of Nates; d. 1186, Paris, ( France ); m. 1181 to Constance of Brittany , d. 1201. Geoffréy became Duke of Brittany in 1181 after his marriage to Constance.
1.1.1.2.1.6.    Eleanor of England , b. 1161, Normandy; d. 1214 m. 1169 to King Alfonso VII of Castile ( Spain ). See Alfonso VII
1.1.1.2.1.7.   Joanna, b. 1162 , Angers
1.1.1.2.1.8. John, b. 1167 , Oxford, England; d. 1216, England. Lord of Ireland.

[His daughters were married to the kings of Sicily and Castile, and Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony , he was the father of the Emperor Otto IV ]

Prince Henry Fitz Henry

1.1.1.2.1.2. Prince Henry Fitz Henry , son of Henry II & Eleanor of Aquitaine , b. 1152. He was heir to Maine and Anjou. d. Jun 1183, Martel. He was m. (in infancy) to Marguerite, daughter of Louis V II . The area of Anjou produced two (2) essential commodities necessary during this time, wine & salt. He was often called Henry Curtmantle , because of the short cloak that he often wore. Crowned in 1170 at Westminster. He became known as the Young King.

Richard I, Coeur de Lion (the Lion-hearted)

1.1.1.2.1.4. Richard I, Coeur de Lion (the Lion-hearted), son of Henry II & Eleanor of Aquitaine , b. 1157, Oxford, England; d. 26 Mar 1199, from wounds received at the siege of the Castle of Chalus, England; m. Berengaria, Princess of Navarre. She was the heir to the county of Poitou and duchy of Aquitaine. The area of Aquitaine produced two (2) essential commodities necessary during this time, wine & salt Berengaria was the only English Queen to have never seen nor set foot upon the English Isle.

He together with Frederick Barbarossa and Phillip II of France , led the Third Crusade to try to free Palestine from the Muslims. The Muslims were Seljuk Turks [Saracens] led by Saladin. Richard left control of the government to William Longchamp while he was away on the Crusade . On the way to the Holy Land Frederick Barbarossa died, leaving Richard and Phillip II to continue onto the Holy Lands. There they lay siege to the Muslim city of Acre, winning a decisive victory. Richard met with Saladin and established a "treaty" that allowed for safe passage of Pilgrims into the Holy Land for the duration of Saladin's rule.

Returning from the Holy Land by way of Italy , then overland to Vienna. During his overland journey he was captured by Henry VI [Holy Roman Emperor and son of Frederick Barbarossa ]. Richard was held captive until 1194 when was released for the ransom of 100,000 £. The ransom monies were raised by his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine . After his release from captivity taxes in England reached their all time high. Scotland was sold back it's independence for the sum of 10,000 mira, to raise additional funds for his wars in France .

He ruled England from 1189 to 1199, during this time he only set foot on English soil twice. Both times for his coronations, for a total of six months. He left no issue.

Geoffréy

1.1.1.2.1.5. Geoffréy, son of Henry II & Eleanor of Aquitaine , b. 1158. Count of Brittany, Count of Nates; d. 1196, Paris, ( France ); m. Constance. Geoffréy & Constance had a son:

1.1.1.2.1.5.1. Arthur of Brittany he had many supporters that thought that he was the rightful heir to the throne of England over the claim of John. His supporter were from the English holdings in France including Phillip II, King of France .

John King of England [xvi]

1.1.1.2.1.8. John King of England , son of Henry II & Eleanor of Aquitaine , b. 1167, Oxford, England; d. Oct 1216, near Newark, England; m1st ca. 1187 to Isabella "Alice" of Gloucester; their marriage was dissolved in 1199, being technically illegal (no issue); m2nd 24 Aug 1200, Angoulême to Isabella of Angoulême, daughter of Adémar, Count of Angoulême, b. 1188; d. 31 May 1246.

The administrative and bureaucratic innovations John brought to the Angevin government have not been enough to save his reputation throughout the years. Chronicled as

England's most cruel and untrustworthy monarch, John may long be the victim of his early bad press. As a monarch, John displayed no love lost for the Church of Rome and as a result, the historians of the day--almost without exception clerics, took every opportunity to malign and discredit him. However, while not evil incarnate, John certainly demonstrated on many an occasion those qualities that led generations of school children to remember him as Bad King John .

John was his father’s favorite. He was excessively indulged by him and this indulgence would later prove to cause him difficulty. He had earned the name “Lackland” due to his father’s failure to provide him with an inheritance of lands. However, in 1185 he was made Lord of Ireland and sent to govern Ireland by his father. On his first expedition he and his companion laughed at the beards of the Irish chieftains who came to pay homage. John's callous alienation continued until John left six months later. Four years after taking control of Ireland, John was driven from the country by the Irish Chieftains. John lost many of the holdings his family held, in doing so he earned a new nickname “Softsword”. John bore no loyalty to his father. In 1188, when Richard and Philip I I of France forced Henry into a humiliating defeat Henry was given a list of those who fought against him, and was shocked to find John's name on it. King Richard bestowed John with vast estates in Normandy and England, and betrothed him to Isabella of Gloucester, in an effort to bribe him, but it was not enough to quell John. While Richard was away on various Crusades, and now quarreling from Philip II, John plotted a number of unsuccessful rebellions, at one point joining forces with Philip. Richard forgave John on his deathbed and named him as heir to the throne. In 1189, John was given many secular honours by his brother Richard I on his return from his crusade. Then promptly sent into exile. John came to the throne of England in 1199 and ruled until 1216.

Isabella of Angoulême was betrothed to Hugh le Brun at the time that John took interest in her as a possible wife. John went against the dictates of Philip I I, of France , by marrying Isabella without his consent. Isabella of Angoulême was crowned Queen of England at Westminster in Oct 1200. Isabella was the claimant to La March and heiress of Angoulême.

John by marrying Isabella without the consent of Philip I I was stripped of his land holdings in France . These land were then given to his nephew Arthur of Brittany , with the exception of Normandy which was retained by Philip II. In order to recover his former land holdings in France , John went to war against Philip II. This caused a great conflict amongst the various vassals who held allegiance to both John and Philip II. In 1204 John launched a successful campaign against Arthur of Brittany at Mirebeau, where took Arthur by surprise, while he was laying siege to the castle. Arthur was taken captive and held in John's custody. While in John's custody he vanished without a trace.

John was not trusted by his men. They, in-fact, refused to fight in his company, and they sought to exact unusual promises from him. [xviii]However, his reign was unpopular due to the enforcement of high taxes, to pay for his wars. His taxes were excessive and arbitrary.

After the taking of Arthur, John lost the support of many of his vassals who turned their support against him and to Philip I I. The capture of Arthur turned out to be a pivotal point in history, after John lost many of his supporters Philip II was able to take the majority of John's lands in France back under his control. The exception was Aquitaine, which preferred the absentee monarchy of John (Aquitaine was the homeland of his mother).

In 1214, John returned to England where he found that the barons were in allegiance against him. He tried to regain control of the government from the barons. John negotiated with the Barons to achieve a peaceful settlement in the restoration of himself to full power. Easter week of 1215, the Barons of England took control of the government through a number of small battles. John was forced into a conference with the barons in a field called "Runnymeade" on the banks of the Thames River. It was here that on 15 June 1215 that John agree to and signed the Magna Carta. John was later absolved from the provisions of the Charta by Innocent III {Pope} .

In May of 1215 the English rebels captured London and force John to make peace. John met with the lords at Runnymeade and the terms laid out and agreed upon became known as . However, the attempt to implement the terms of the treaty only led to more war, for John seemed to agree to the document as a way of buying time. In frustration and contempt for John, the English lords elected Louis of France , Philip's son, as their leader. In May of 1216 Louis invaded England and made an unopposed entry into London. The death of John in October, with his son, Henry, only nine years old, plunged the county into civil war.

In of Oct 1216, while campaigning in East England he lost his treasure wagon in a pool of quicksand. This put the king in a foul mood. However, he continued on to the town of Newark where he overindulged in green peaches and new ale cider. The following morning John was found dead. In summing up the reign of John, King of England , an anonymous chronicler stated, "He was munificent and liberal to outsiders but a plunderer of his own people, trusting strangers rather than his subjects, wherefore he was eventually deserted by his own men and, in the end, little mourned."

1.1.1.2.1.8.1. Henry III , b. 1 Oct 1207, Winchester, England; d. 16 Nov 1272, Westminster, England.

Henry III, King of England

1.1.1.2.1.8.1. Henry III , son of John & Isabella of Angoulême , b. 1 Oct 1207, Westminster, England; d. 16 Jun 1272, Westminster, England; m. 14 Jan 1236/37, Canterbury, England to Eleanor of Provence , daughter of Raymond IV & Beatrice of Savoy , b. 1217; d. 24/25 Jan 1291, Amesbury.

He ruled England from 1216 to 1272, making it the longest reign in history. He succeeded to the throne at the age of nine. Being a minor he rule through a counsel of Regency until he was of age. The first of his chief Regents was William Marshal l , Earl of Pembroke.

He relied heavily upon members of his regency, which was made up of mostly foreigners. The nobility of England thought that there were too many foreigners. His advisors were from many of the French providences.

He was described a moral coward, out of touch with the citizenry of England, and a easy prey for strong personalities. He was known to take on the personality of those that were around him. He was a Frenchman to the core – he ruled England without even learning to speak English .

He began a campaign against Louis IX, against the advise of Hubert de Burgh . In the end the campaign failed and Hubert de Burgh was blamed.

He was generous to the church in England and Rome, much to the disadvantage of the English treasury. The most significant developments occurred between 1258 - 1265, during that period the monarchy was limited and Parliament was formed. Parliament consisted of representatives of the knights and townsmen as well as members of the barons and churchmen. The Tower of London underwent changes under his supervision in 1240. In 1255, he supervised the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey. He either introduced or encouraged: tiling for floors, wall paintings (especially including the colour green - his favorite), plasterwork, carpets on the floor, and glazed windows. [xx]

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.     Edward I , b. 1239; d. ca. 1307
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.2. Edmund Plantagenet , b. 16 Jan 1244, London.
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.3.     Dafydd
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.4.     Gruffyold

Richard Fitz Roy

1.1.1.2.1.8.2. Richard Fitz Roy , natural son of John, King of England , m. Rohese, daughter of Fulbert of Dover , d. 1264/65. Richard I, became for a time King of the Romans (of Germany ). Richard Fitz Roy & Rohese had:

Edward I King of England

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1. Edward I King of England, Longshank, son of Henry III & Eleanor of Provence , b. 16/17 Jun 1239, Westminster Palace, England; christened Edward after Edward the Confessor - whom his father admired; d. 7 Jul 1307, Burgh-on-the-Sands, near Carlisle, England, while on his 6^th expedition to Scotland, at over 70 years of age; buried in Westminster Abbey; m1st 18 Oct 1254, in the church of the monastery of Las Huelgas at Burgos, the capital city of Old Castile in northern Spain [Burgos was founded in 982 by the Castile family.] to Eleanor of Castile , daughter of Fernando III, King of Castile , & Joan de Dammartin , b. ca. 1244. d. 28 Nov 1290, Grantham, England; buried in Westminster Abbey; m2nd 8 Sept 1299 to Margaret of France (sister of the French King), daughter of Philip I II & Marie Brabant , d. 14 Feb 1317.

Edward I ruled England from 1272 to 1307. He was the first English king to speak English . He earned the nickname of Longshanks . He was the last medieval monarch to visit the Holy Land.[xxi] In Sicily, while returning from a crusade in 1272, he learned of his father’s death and his proclamation as King of England. This did not speed him on his journey home to England. Instead he first stopped to pay homage to Philip, King of France , for the lands that he held in France . Then visiting his holdings in France before returning to England. Edward and Eleanor were crowned King and Queen of England on 19 Aug 1274 at Westminster Abbey by Robert Kilwardby , the Archbishop of Canterbury.

During his rein he continued the conquest of Ireland. In 1282-1283 he took control of Wales. In 1284, Wales was divided into shires and the system of English common law was introduced. Edward organized the laws of England. These were not merely restatements of exisiting customs but statues in the modern sense. The most notable of these were:

1275 Statute of Westminister The persuasive torture that was used to compel criminals or those accused of crimes to have a jury trial.

1278 Statute of Gloucester --- incorporated the middle class into the positions of knights. If an individual had an income of more than 20 £. He was required to provide to the king an knight in time of war. The purpose of this was to increase the size of his army and to procure knights that would not balk at being sent into a foreign land to fight. The nobility at this time was resisting and refused to go. Their hesitancy was caused because the nobility's lands were being left unattended while they were away.

1278 Statute of Mortmain -- prevented the Lord from subdividing his property and giving a portion to the church.

1285 Statute of Winchester -- The Fyrd [meaning a local militia] was reinstituted. The Hue & Cry was began and the modern day equivalent of a posse established.

1285 De Donis This created the entailed estates. Entailed Estates were required to be passed down in the same manner that they were given. Eg. A father is given lands - only a son may inherit it. OR A mother is given lands - only a daughter may inherit it.
1290 Quia Emptores Prevented the division of land any further than they had already been done. It made the subdivision of lands to become unprofitable.

The land laws, particularly have had a long-lasting influence. Edward I also ruled over Scotland for a period of time, while under the rule of John Balliol . In 1294, Edward I declared war on France and demanded troops from Balliol. Balliol refused and Edward sent troops into Scotland to force Balliol to comply. Edward warred against Balliol as a "rebellious vassal". In 1298 at the battle of Falkirk and again in 1300 at the siege of Carlaverock, Edward I bore the coat of arms described as: gules, three leopards passant or -- i.e. lyons passant gardant.

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.1.       Princess Elizabeth Plantagenet , b. Aug 1282, Rhuddlan Castle, Carnavan Co.; m. Humphrey De Bohun, VIII
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.2 .    Edward I I, successor to the throne, d. 1327; Ruled England from 1307 to 1327; m. Isabella of France , d. 1358. It was under the reign of Edward II that Scotland achieved its independence from England. In 1314 the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce , lured Edward II to Bannockburn where his infantry became mired in the mud, and easy pickings for the Scots. This battle insured the independence of the Scots for the remainder of the Middle Ages.
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.3.       son, d. young, son. In 1301, he became the 1^st English born Prince of Wales.
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.4.       son, d. young
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.5.       son, d. young
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.6.       Joan or Joann a , b. 1272; d. 1307; m1st to Gilbert Clare , Earl of Gloucester, d. 1295; m2nd to Ralph de Montherner
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.7.       Margaret, b. 1275 ; d. 1318; m. John II, duke of Barbant
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.8.       Eleanor, b. 1282 ; d. 1316; m. John I, count of Holland ; m2nd to Humphrey Bohun , earl of Hereford, d. 1322.
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.9.       unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.10.   unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.11.   unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.12.   unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.13.   unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.14.   unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.15.   unknown
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.16.   unknown

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.17) Thomas of Brotherton , earl of Norfolk
1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.18) Edmund of Woodstock , Earl of Kent

Edmund Plantagenet

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.2. Edmund Plantagent, son of Henry III & Eleanor of Provence , b. 16 Jan 1244, London, England, d. 5 Jun 1296, Bayonne; m1st (unknown); m2nd 29 Oct 1276 to Blance of Artois , daughter of Robert, Count of Artois & Matilda of Brabant , d. 1303. On 26 October 1265 Edmund Plantagenet was created the Earl of Lancaster and Leicester. He was the High Steward of England. Edmund served as a Member of Parliament in 1276.

Isabel

1.1.1.2.1.8.2.1. Isabel, daughter of Richard Fitz Roy & Rohese, d. 7 Jul 1276; m. ca. 12 Jul 1247 to Maurice de Berkeley , b. 1218; d. 4 Apr 1281.

Princess Elizabeth Plantagenet

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.1.1. Princess Elizabeth Plantagenet , daughter of Edward I & Eleanor of Castile , b. 7 Aug 1282, Rhuddlan Castle Carnarvan Co.; d. 5 May 1316; bur. 23 May 1325, Walden Priory, Essex; m1st to unknown; m2nd 14 Nov 1302, Westminster to Humphrey de Bohun VI I I , son of Humphrey & Maud (de Lusignan) de Bohun VII. Humphrey & Elizabeth (Plantagenet) de Bohun VIII had a daughter:

Henry Plantagenet

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.2.1. Henry Plantagenet , son of Edmund Plantagenet & Blance of Artois , b. 1281; d. 22 Sept 1345; m. bef. 2 Mar 1296/7 to Maud de Chaworth , daughter of Sir Patrick de Chaworth & Isabel de Beauchamp , d. living in 1345. Henry Plantagenet was a Member of Parliament in 1298/99. On 10 May 1324, he was created as the Earl of Lancaster. Henry Plantagenet & Maud de Chaworth had:

Eleanor Plantagenet

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.2.1.1. Eleanor Plantagenet , daughter of Henry Plantagenet & Maud de Chaworth , d. 11 Jan 1372, Arundel; m1st bef. Jun 1337 to John de Beaumont , son of Henry de Beaumont & Alice Comyn, b. 1318; d. May 1342; m2nd 5 Feb 1344/45, Ditton to Richard Fitz Alan , son of Edmund Fitz Alan & Alice de Warenne , b. ca. 1313; d. 1376. Richard Fitz Alan was the Earl of Arundel and Warenne. Richard Fitz Alan & Eleanor Plantagenet had:

Sir Thomas de Berkeley

1.1.1.2.1.8.2.1.1. Sir Thomas de Berkeley , son of Maurice de Berkeley & Isabel , d. 23 Jul 1321; m. 1267 Joan de Ferrers , daughter of William de Ferrers & Margaret de Quincy , d. 19 Mar 1309/10.

Sir Thomas Berkeley was granted the Coat-of-Arms described as gules, crusily patèe and a chevron argent.[xxiv]

Sir John Fitz Alan

1.1.1.2.1.8.1.2.1.1.2. Sir John Fitz Alan , son of Richard Fitz Alan & Eleanor Plantagenet , d. 1379; m. 17 Feb 1358/59 to Eleanor Maltravers , daughter of Sir John Maltravers & Gwenthlin , b. 1345, d. 1405.

Sir Maurice de Berkeley

1.1.1.2.1.8.2.1.1.1. Sir Maurice de Berkeley , son of Sir Thomas de Berkeley & Joan de Ferrers , d. 1326; m. 1289 to Eva La Zouche , daughter of Eudo La Zouche & Millicent de Cantelou .

Sir Maurice de Berkeley was granted a Coat-of-Arms, described as: gules, crusily patèe and a chevron argent (with a blue lable of three because his father Thomas was then alive.[xxv]

[i] The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England, ed. Antonia Frasier and The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy, ed. John Cannon and Ralph Griffiths.
[ii] “Castles of Europe from Charlemagne to the Renaissance”, by William Anderson, Random House, New York ©1970 by Paul Elek Productions Limited, p. 45; and “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p. 91-92.
[iii] “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p. 92, 93
iv] Biographical information from The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England, ed. Antonia Frasier and The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy, ed. John Cannon and Ralph Griffiths.
[v] “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p.166
[vi] “Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation”, by John O’Hart, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1989., p. 773, 774.
[vii] “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p.160, 161
[viii] “A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry: with a Chronological Table” Oxford: John Henry Parker (1846), p. 17
[ix] "The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England", ed. Antonia Frasier , "The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy", ed. John Cannon and Ralph Griffiths, and "The Oxford Book of Royal Anecdotes", ed. Elizabeth Longford
[x] “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p. 174, 175
[xi] “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p.216
[xii] “A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry: with a Chronological Table” Oxford: John Henry Parker (1846), p. 15
[xiii] “Pilgrims, Heretics, and Lovers A Medieval Journey”, by Claude Marks, pp.130-214
[xiv] “A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry: with a Chronological Table” Oxford: John Henry Parker (1846), p. 17
[xv] “Castles of Europe from Charlemagne to the Renaissance”, by William Anderson, Random House, New York ©1970 by Paul Elek Productions Limited, pp.113
[xvi] The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England, ed. Antonia Frasier, The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy, ed. John Cannon and Ralph Griffiths, and The Oxford Book of Royal Anecdotes, ed. Elizabeth Longford.
[xvii] “A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry: with a Chronological Table” Oxford: John Henry Parker (1846), p. 17
[xviii] “From Alfred to Henry III 871-1272”, by Christopher Brooke [W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY © 1961], p.216
[xix] “A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry: with a Chronological Table” Oxford: John Henry Parker (1846), p. 17
[xx] “Castles of Europe from Charlemagne to the Renaissance”, by William Anderson, Random House, New York ©1970 by Paul Elek Productions Limited, p. 136
[xxi] “Castles of Europe from Charlemagne to the Renaissance”, by William Anderson, Random House, New York ©1970 by Paul Elek Productions Limited, p. 139
[xxii] “A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry: with a Chronological Table” Oxford: John Henry Parker (1846), p. 199
[xxiii] “The Dictionary of Heraldry, Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees”, by Joseph Foster, p. 19
[xxiv] “The Dictionary of Heraldry, Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees”, by Joseph Foster, p. 19
[xxv] “The Dictionary of Heraldry, Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees”, by John Foster, p. 19

NORMAN and PLANTAGENT

1066-1327

Norman Ancestry