Biography of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 1301-1372

Paternal Family Tree: Stafford

1344 Creation of the Order of the Garter

Before 1298 [his father] Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford (age 25) and [his mother] Margaret Basset (age 17) were married.

On 24 Sep 1301 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford was born to Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford (age 29) and Margaret Basset (age 21).

On 26 Aug 1308 [his father] Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford (age 36) died. His son Ralph (age 6) succeeded 2nd Baron Stafford.

Around 1326 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 24) and Katherine Hastings Baroness Stafford (age 22) were married. She by marriage Baroness Stafford. She the daughter of John Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings 14th Baron Abergavenny and Juliana Leybourne Countess Huntingdon (age 23).

In 1331 [his daughter] Margaret Stafford was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 29) and [his wife] Katherine Hastings Baroness Stafford (age 27) at Sandon Stone, Staffordshire.

Battle of Dupplin Moor

                    On 12 Aug 1332 Battle of Dupplin Moor was fought between the supporters of the infant King David II of Scotland (age 8), son of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland, and the supporters of King Edward I of Scotland (age 49), supported by the English. The Bruce army included Robert Bruce Lord of Liddesdale and Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar (age 39). The Balliol army included David III Strathbogie 11th Earl Atholl (age 23), Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 30), Thomas Ughtred 1st Baron Ughtred (age 40) and Walter Manny 1st Baron Manny (age 22). The battle is notable for being the first to use dismounted men-at-arms supported by archers; a formation that would bring repeated success to the English both in Scotland and France.
                
                    Robert Bruce Lord of Liddesdale was killed leading a charge.
                
                    Nicholas Hay (age 47) was killed.
                
                    Thomas Randolph 2nd Earl Moray was killed. His brother John (age 26) succeeded 3rd Earl Moray.
                
                    Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar was killed.

Around 1336 [his son] Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 34) and [his future wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 18) at Staffordshire. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England.

Before 06 Jul 1336 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 34) and Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Stafford. She the daughter of Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 45) and Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester. She a great granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Before 06 Jul 1336 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 34) abducted [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 18). She being the heir of the very wealthy [his father-in-law] Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 45); considerably more wealthy than Ralph. King Edward III of England (age 23) was sympathetic despite the complaint of her father since Ralph had been one of King Edward III's key supporters during the plot to arrest Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March. Margaret's father was subsequently created Earl as a quid pro quo.

On 06 Jul 1336 [his wife] Katherine Hastings Baroness Stafford (age 32) died at Stafford, Staffordshire [Map].

1337 Creation of Earls

                    In Jan 1337 King Edward III of England (age 24) created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France ...
                
                    William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36) was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.
                
                    William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 27) was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.
                
                    [his father-in-law] Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 19) having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 35).
                
                    Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 38) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 51) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

On 17 Mar 1337 [his mother] Margaret Basset (age 57) died at Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire [Map].

Around 1340 [his daughter] Elizabeth Stafford Baroness Cobham, Ferrers and Strange was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 38) and [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 22) at Staffordshire. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Battle of Sluys

On 24 Jun 1340 King Edward III of England (age 27) attacked the French fleet at anchor during the Battle of Sluys capturing more than 200 ships, killing around 18000 French. The English force included John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick (age 24), William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 30), Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham (age 27), William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby (age 10), John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle (age 22), Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 38), Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 30), Walter Manny 1st Baron Manny (age 30), Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 32) and Richard Pembridge (age 20).

Thomas Monthermer 2nd Baron Monthermer (age 38) died from wounds. His daughter Margaret succeeded 3rd Baroness Monthermer.

In 1341 [his daughter] Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 39) and [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 23) at Staffordshire. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Before 1343 [his son-in-law] John Stafford (age 40) and [his daughter] Margaret Stafford (age 11) were married. The difference in their ages was 29 years. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 41) and [his former wife] Katherine Hastings Baroness Stafford. They were second cousin once removed.

In 1344 [his son] Ralph Stafford and [his daughter-in-law] Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria (age 3) were married. She the daughter of Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 34) and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 24). He the son of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 42) and [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 26). They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.

In 1344 [his daughter] Joan Stafford Baroness Cherleton and Talbot was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 42) and [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 26) at Staffordshire. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Creation of the Order of the Garter

                    On 23 Apr 1344 King Edward III of England (age 31) created the Order of the Garter. The date nominal as there are different accounts; some sources say 1348.
                
                    1 Edward "Black Prince".
                
                    2 Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster.
                
                    3 Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick.
                
                    4 Jean Grailly.
                
                    5 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford.
                
                    6 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury.
                
                    7 Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March.
                
                    8 John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle.
                
                    9 Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh.
                
                    10 John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick.
                
                    11 John Mohun 2nd Baron Mohun of Dunster.
                
                    12 Hugh Courtenay.
                
                    13 Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent.
                
                    14 John Grey 1st Baron Grey.
                
                    15 Richard Fitzsimon.
                
                    16 Miles Stapleton.
                
                    17 Thomas Wale.
                
                    18 Hugh Wrottesley.
                
                    19 Neil Loring.
                
                    20 John Chandos.
                
                    21 James Audley.
                
                    22 Otho Holland.
                
                    23 Henry Eam.
                
                    24 Sanchet Abrichecourt.
                
                    25 Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh.

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In 1347 [his son] Ralph Stafford died.

Around 1348 [his daughter] Katherine Stafford Baroness Sutton Dudley was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 46) and [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 30) at Staffordshire. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Around 1349 [his wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 31) died.

Before 30 Aug 1349 [his son-in-law] Fulk Strange 3rd Baron Strange Blackmere (age 17) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Stafford Baroness Cobham, Ferrers and Strange (age 9) were married. She by marriage Baroness Strange Blackmere. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 47) and [his former wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Before 01 Mar 1350 [his son] Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford (age 14) and [his daughter-in-law] Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford (age 16) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 37) and Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick (age 36). He the son of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 48) and [his former wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.

1350 Creation of Garter Knights

Annales of England by John Stow. This yeere, on Saint Georges day [23 Apr 1350], the king held a great and solemne feast at his castle of Windsor, where he had augmented the chappel which Henry the first and other his progenitors, kings of England, had before erected, of eight chanons. He added to those eight chanons a deane and fifteene chanons more, and 24 poore and impotent knights, with other ministers and servants, as appeareth in his charter dated the two and twentieth of his reigne. Besides the king, there were other also that were contributors to the foundation of this colledge, as followeth: i. The sovereigne king Edward the third, 2. Edward, his eldest sonne, prince of Wales, 3. Henry, duke of Lancaster, 4. the earle of Warwicke (age 37), 5. Captaine de Bouch (age 19), 6. Ralph, earle of Stafford (age 48), 7. William Montacute (age 21), earle of Salisburie, 8. Roger, lorde Mortimer (age 21), earle of March, 9. sir John de Lisle (age 31), 10. sir Bartholomew Burwash (age 22), 11. sir John Beauchampe (age 34), 12. sir John Mahune (age 30), 13. sir Hugh Courtney, 14. sir Thomas Holland (age 36), 15. sir John Grey (age 49), 16. sir Richard Fitz Simon, 17. sir Miles Stapleton (age 30), 18. sir Thomas Walle (age 47), 19. sir Hugh Wrothesley (age 16), 20. sir Nele Loring (age 30), 21. sir John Chandos (age 30), 22. sir James de Audley (age 32), 23. sir Othes Holland (age 34), 24. sir Henry Eme, 25. sir Sechet Dabridgecourt (age 20), 26. sir Wiliam Panell (age 31). All these, together with the king, were clothed in gownes of russet, poudered with garters blew, wearing the like garters also on their right legges, and mantels of blew with scutcheons of S. George. In this sort of apparell they, being bare-headed, heard masse, which was celebrated by Simon Islip, archbishop of Canterbury, and the bishops of Winchester and Excester, and afterwards they went to the feast, setting themselves orderly at the table, for the honor of the feast, which they named to be of S. George the martyr and the choosing of the knights of the Garter.

1351 Creation of Peers

                    In 1351 Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 41) was created 1st Duke Lancaster by King Edward III of England (age 38). Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 31) by marriage Duchess Lancaster.
                
                    Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence (age 12) was created 1st Earl of Ulster.
                
                    John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 10) was created 1st Earl Richmond.
                
                    Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 49) was created 1st Earl Stafford.
                
                    See

On 25 Dec 1357 [his son-in-law] John Sutton 2nd Baron Sutton (age 18) and [his daughter] Katherine Stafford Baroness Sutton Dudley (age 9) were married. She by marriage Baroness Sutton of Dudley. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 56) and [his former wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Before 1358 [his son-in-law] John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 26) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Stafford Baroness Cobham, Ferrers and Strange (age 17) were married. She by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 56) and [his former wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

In Dec 1361 [his daughter] Katherine Stafford Baroness Sutton Dudley (age 13) died.

On 12 Apr 1363 [his son-in-law] Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 28) and [his daughter] Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond (age 22) were married. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 61) and [his former wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

In 1368 [his son-in-law] Reginald Cobham 2nd Baron Cobham (age 19) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Stafford Baroness Cobham, Ferrers and Strange (age 28) were married at Lingfield, Surrey. She by marriage Baroness Cobham. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 66) and [his former wife] Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

On 31 Aug 1372 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 70) died. His son [his son] Hugh (age 36) succeeded 2nd Earl Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford. [his daughter-in-law] Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford (age 38) by marriage Countess Stafford.

[his son] Ralph Stafford was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford and Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England.

[his daughter] Joan Stafford was born to Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford and Katherine Hastings Baroness Stafford.

Ancestors of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 1301-1372

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hervey Bagot

Great x 2 Grandfather: Hervey Stafford

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert II Stafford

Great x 3 Grandmother: Millicent Stafford

Great x 4 Grandmother: Avice Anastasia Unknown

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Stafford

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ferrers 2nd Earl of Derby

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ferrers 3rd Earl of Derby

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Peverell Countess Derby

Great x 2 Grandmother: Petronill Ferrers Stafford

Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Braose 3rd Baron Bramber

Great x 3 Grandmother: Sybil de Braose Countess Derby

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bertha Gloucester Baroness Bramber

GrandFather: Nicholas Stafford

Great x 4 Grandfather: Simon Corbet 3rd Baron Caus

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Corbet 4th Baron Caus

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Corbet 5th Baron Caus

Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Corbet

Father: Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Clinton of Coleshill

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Clinton

GrandMother: Eleanor Clinton

Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Basset

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Basset

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Basset

Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Basset

GrandFather: Ralph Basset 1st Baron Basset Drayton 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Somery 1st Baron Dudley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Somery 2nd Baron Dudley

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Gras Baroness Dudley

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Somery Baroness Basset Drayton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William D'Aubigny 2nd Earl Lincoln 2nd Earl of Arundel

Great x 3 Grandfather: William D'Aubigny 3rd Earl Lincoln 3rd Earl of Arundel

Great x 2 Grandmother: Nicole D'Aubigny Baroness Dudley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mabel Gernon Countess Lincoln and Arundel 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester

Mother: Margaret Basset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Biography of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 1301-1372

Royal Ancestors of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 1301-1372

Royal Descendants of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 1301-1372

Ancestors of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 1301-1372