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Paternal Family Tree: Bohun
Maternal Family Tree: Etienette Countess Provence and Arles
1297 Marriage of Princess Elizabeth and John of Holland
1330 Edward III arrests Roger Mortimer
24 August 1346 Battle of Blanchetaque
26th August 1346 Battle of Crécy
1349 Creation of Garter Knights
1350 Creation of Garter Knights
On 8th January 1297 John Gerulfing I Count Holland (age 13) and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland (age 14) were married at Ipswich, Suffolk [Map]. She by marriage Countess Holland. The wedding was attended by her sister [his aunt] Margaret Plantagenet Duchess Brabant (age 21), her father [his grandfather] King Edward I (age 57), her brother [his uncle] Edward (age 12) and her future second husband [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 21). She the daughter of King Edward I of England and [his grandmother] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England. He the son of Floris Gerulfing V Count Holland and Beatrix Dampierre. They were half third cousin twice removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Stephen I England.
On 14th November 1302 [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 26) and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland (age 20) were married. She by marriage Countess Essex, Countess Hereford. Westminster Abbey [Map]. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Edward I of England (age 63) and [his grandmother] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England. He the son of [his grandfather] Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex and [his grandmother] Maud Fiennes Countess Essex and Hereford. They were third cousins.
On 6th December 1309 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton was born to Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 33) and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland (age 27) at Caldicot Castle [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward I of England.
On 5th May 1316 [his sister] Isabel Bohun was born to [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 40) and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland (age 33). His mother Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland died in childbirth. She was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 27th June 1316 Edmund Mortimer (age 13) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 3) were married at Kinlet, Cleobury Mortimer [Map]. He the son of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 29) and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 30). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 16th March 1322 the rebel army led by Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 44) attempted to cross the bridge over the River Ure (between Ripon and York) at Boroughbridge Bridge [Map]. Their path was blocked by forces loyal to the King led by Andrew Harclay 1st Earl Carlisle (age 52). Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46), Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 34), John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort (age 57) and John Maltravers 1st Baron Maltravers (age 32) fought for the rebels. Roger Clifford 2nd Baron Clifford (age 22), Nicholas Longford (age 37), Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln, John Mowbray 2nd Baron Mowbray (age 35) were captured.
Warin Lisle (age 51) was hanged after the battle at Pontefract [Map].
Following the battle Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 31) and his wife Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester were both imprisoned. He in Nottingham Castle [Map] and she in Sempringham Priory [Map].
John Clinton 2nd Baron Clinton (age 22), Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke (age 22), William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby (age 46), Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle (age 34), Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar (age 29) and Peter Saltmarsh (age 42) fought for the King.
Adam Everingham 1st Baron Everingham of Laxton (age 43) was captured.
[his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 46) was killed. His son [his brother] John (age 15) succeeded 5th Earl Hereford, 4th Earl Essex.
Piers Grandison 2nd Baron Grandison (age 31) fough for the rebels, and was captured.
Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley (age 55) surrendered before the battle and was imprisoned in Wallingford Castle [Map] for the rest of his life
John Giffard 2nd Baron Giffard Brimpsfield (age 34) was captured.
On 19th October 1330 John Neville 1299-1335, William Eland, William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 20), William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon (age 26) and William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 29), friends of King Edward III of England (age 17) secretly entered Nottingham Castle [Map] through tunnels, met with King Edward III of England, and arrested Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 43) and his son Geoffrey Mortimer (age 21) in the presence of Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 35).
In 1335 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 25) and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 22) were married. He the son of Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland. They were fourth cousins. He a grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1336 John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 23) and [his sister-in-law] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford (age 27) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. They were third cousin twice removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In January 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. [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter 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 7th June 1338 [his brother-in-law] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere (age 23) died. Baron Badlesmere abeyant between his sisters [his sister-in-law] Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley (age 29), [his sister-in-law] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford (age 29), [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 25) and Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot (age 23).
Calendar Inquitisitions Port Mortem Volume 8 Edward III 185. 185. [his brother-in-law] Giles De Badelesmere (deceased), Knight.
Writ to Henry Darcy, mayor of the city of London, and king's escheator there, 16 July [1338], 12 Edward III.
London.
Inq. Friday before St. Bartholomew, 12 Edward III.
Alegate. A tenement, 17 shops, and a garden adjacent, within Alegate, worth when let 9l.; out of which there are paid yearly to the lords of that fee for quit rent, 56s. 4d., and for repairs, 40s.
Lymstret lane. A tenement and a garden, worth 40s., out of which are paid yearly for repair of houses and walls and for enclosing of the said tenement and garden, 20s.
All held of the king in chief, as the whole of the city of London is.
[his sister-in-law] Margery (age 30) the wife of Sir William de Ros (age 53), [his sister-in-law] Maud (age 30) the wife of the earl of Oxford (age 26), [his wife] Elizabeth (age 25) the wife of the earl of Northampton (age 28), and Margery (age 23) (sic) the wife of Sir John Tipetoft (age 24), are his sisters and co-heirs, and of full age.
John Tiptoft 2nd Baron Tibetot.
Continues.
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On 24th June 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.
On 25th March 1341 [his son] Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton was born to William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 31) and [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 28). He a great grandson of King Edward I of England.
On 30th September 1342 the French army attacked the English besiegers of Morlaix forcing the English to retreat to the nearby woods. William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 32) commanded, John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 30) and Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 34) fought.
Chronicle of Geoffrey the Baker of Swynebroke. In the year of our Lord 1343, the 18th year of King Edward of England, the king sent military aid1 to John de Montfort, Duke of Brittany. His wife and children were in the king's custody, signaling the strength of their alliance. A notable English force was dispatched to assist Montfort, including: Earl of Northampton (age 32), Earl of Oxford (age 30), Hugh Despenser (age 34), Richard Talbot (age 37), knight, William Kyllesby, cleric, Each was placed in command of significant numbers of troops and archers.
Anno Domini MCCCXLIIIJ, regis Anglie XVIIJ, in auxilium domini Johannis de Monte forte, ducis Britannie, cuius uxor et filii in custodia regis manserunt, fuerunt missi comes Norhamptonie et comes Oxonie, dominus Hugo Despenser, dominus Ricardus Talebot, milites, et dominus Willelmus Kyllesby, clericus, singulis prefectis magnis copiis armatorum et sagittariorum.
Stow's Annales, 374: "King Edward, in succour of John Mountfort, duke of Brytaine, and of his wife and children, who then remained in the kings custody, sent the earles of Northampton and of Oxford, Hugh Spencer and Richard Talbot, knights, and master William Killesby, clearke, every one of them having under them many men of armes and archers, into Brytaine; who entred thereinto, in despight of all their enemies which resisted them, making many conflicts. They tooke as well walled townes as other, with divers fortresses and castles, both by assault and surrender, by which meanes they had the whole countrey under their subjection, conquering till they came to the towneof Morleis, where Charles de Bloys met them with a great army. Therefore, in the champaine ground nigh unto Morleys, the two armies made great and most stoute battell, wherein the woorthinesse of both sorts did full appeare: for they fought so stoutly that in the first conflict it chaunced as the like had not been seene: for the chief captaines, Charles de Bioys, to whom the French king had given the dukedome of that countrey, and William de Bohune, earle of Northampton, who for the defence of the right of John de Mountfort, naturall heire and duke of that land, the king of England had made a general! over the armie of the Englishmen, fought so long with hand strokes in the fielde that day, that no man but a liar could give more praise to the one then to the other. Three times that day they, being wearied on both sides, withdrew themselves to take breath, and then fell to it againe with speare and shield, and sword and target. But in the end the right worthie and stout Charles de Bloys, his men fleeing away, was also forced to flee himselfe; whereupon, after many slaine on both sides, the victory fel to the Englishmen."
It is somewhat remarkable that this is the only event that Baker notices in the campaign in Brittany of 1342. But it is quite evident that he has received special knowledge regarding the battle from someone who had been present. Murimuth also obtained detailed information of the earl of Northampton's movements from the latter's despatches, and appears to have written an account of them and to have inserted it in his chronicle (Murimuth, 126, 127) after he had already written a briefer notice (128):
"After the aforementioned events, around the Octave of the Assumption (i.e. the week following 15th August 1342), sailors and letters arrived, sent to the king by the Earl of Northampton and his colleagues. These reported the following: The entire English fleet, consisting of 260 ships (not counting smaller boats), arrived on the coast of Brittany on the Sunday within the Octave of the Assumption, near the castle and town of Brest. The castle and town were under siege, both by land and by sea. Inside was the Duchess of Brittany with her children. By sea: the town was besieged by 14 large and well-armed galleys. By land: it was surrounded by the Counts of Blois, Savoy, and Foix, commanding a force from the greater part of the Kingdom of France. When the French saw the arrival of the massive English fleet and realized they were being surrounded, their response was immediate: Three galleys fled before the English could land. The remaining eleven galleys, three of which were especially large, sought refuge by entering a narrow freshwater inlet near the port. The crews abandoned their galleys and fled inland. The French besieging force on land lifted the siege, abandoned the castle called Goule Foreste, along with their supplies and provisions, and retreated. The English sailors, using small boats and barges, pursued and burned the eleven galleys. Having landed successfully, the English forces were welcomed with joy and honour. At first, they spread out indiscriminately through the countryside, but found no resistance. Later, they regrouped and moved more strategically through the region. They appointed Lord de Say as keeper of the castle Goule Foreste. A large part of the fleet was sent back to England to prepare for the king's crossing. The sailors who returned to England reported all of these events in full."
"Afterward, the Earl of Northampton wrote to King Edward of England, reporting that, after taking counsel with those knowledgeable of the region, it was judged best that he and his forces move toward a castle and town commonly called Montrelais [i.e. Vannes]. There, they launched an assault, during which many were wounded, and Lord James Lovel was killed. While awaiting reinforcements from Edward's allies, who arrived after a fortnight, the English learned that Lord Charles of Blois was rushing toward them to lift the siege of the said town and castle. The Earl and his forces remained in position until Monday, the day after [30th September 1342] the feast of St. Michael. On that day Charles of Blois arrived with a large force: 3,000 men-at-arms, 1,500 Genoese mercenaries, and countless foot soldiers. The Earl of Northampton, upon their approach around the ninth hour (mid-morning) marched out at a steady pace, on foot, and chose a favourable battlefield, where, with God's help, he engaged in combat. The English killed or captured 200 armed men or more. The Earl lost no notable figure, except Lord Edward le Despenser, who was slain there. In the end, the French forces turned to flight, and the field remained in the hands of the Earl of Northampton."
Northampton was appointed the king's lieutenant and captain in Brittany on the 20th July, 1342 (Fœdera, ii. 1205). According to Murimuth, 125, he sailed on the 14th August: "And, a truce having been concluded with the said Charles until the feast of All Saints, on the condition that it would please the King of England, the said Lord Walter returned to England around the feast of the Translation of Saint Thomas, and brought with him the Lord of Lyons and the other captives. And, because the truce did not please the King of England, the same king arranged to send the Earl of Northampton, the Earl of Devon, the Baron of Stafford, and Sir William de Killesby, with 500 men-at-arms and 1,000 archers, to Brittany, in aid of the aforementioned countess. They were prepared at Portsmouth with both the northern and southern fleets on the eve of Saint Lawrence (August 9), awaiting a favorable wind; and on the eve of the Assumption (August 14), they began to sail."
He relieved Brest; marched on Morlaix, which he unsuccessfully assaulted; and fought and defeated Charles of Blois on the 30th September. Morice, History de Bretagne (1750), i. 260 has an exact account of the battle: "Robert of Artois' campaign was not as fortunate, but he did achieve a notable advantage over Charles of Blois, which earned him great renown. He had seemingly planned to take the town of Morlaix by assault, but the determined resistance of the garrison thwarted this objective. Charles of Blois, informed of the situation, marched to the aid of the besieged with an army much larger than that of the English. Far from retreating, Robert of Artois advanced to meet Charles and positioned himself along the edge of a small wood, near which Charles was expected to pass. Robert had trenches dug around his camp, which he covered with foliage. When Charles encountered him, he divided his forces into three battles and sounded the charge. Geoffroi de Charny, leading the first division, was immediately defeated by the English, who had attacked him in order to lure the rest into the trap. Infuriated by this setback, which was inflicted by a small force, Charles ordered the other two battles forward—but they soon fell into the trenches, where the English slaughtered many. Charny was captured, and fifty notable knights were killed, along with a large number of soldiers. However, the English were not strong enough to hold the field, and they retreated into the woods, where they suffered greatly due to lack of food. Eventually, they found a way to escape Charles' vigilance, even though he had posted his troops at all exits of the forest. After assessing the situation in Brittany, Robert of Artois returned to England to bring back more substantial reinforcements. It is likely this battle that Guillaume de Saint-André referred to when he wrote that 'At Morlaix, the Bretons and English defeated the men of Charles, and routed them all—young and old, small and great.'"
The English, who were under supreme command of Robert of Artois, adopted Bruce's tactics at Bannockburn in digging concealed trenches on their front, into which the French fell and suffered great slaughter. Charles of Blois, however, was not so badly beaten but that he could afterwards blockade the English, who only escaped with difficulty.
Of Northampton's companions here named: John de Vere, who succeeded his uncle as earl of Oxford in April 1331, was born in 1313, served in the French wars, being one of the chief commanders both at Crecy and at Poitiers, and died on the 24th January, 1360; Hugh Despenser, son of the younger Despenser who was executed in 1326, was summoned to parliament in 1338, and died in 1349; Richard Talbot was also a baron by writ in 1331, and died in 1356; William Kildesby, the king's clerk and keeper of the privy seal, was archbishop elect of York in 1340, but was set aside in favour of William de la Zouch.
On 24th August 1346 the 24 August 1346 Battle of Blanchetaque was fought between the English and French. The English had become trapped in an area denuded of supplies and needed to cross the River Somme to access food. The French army had destroyed all the bridges across the River Somme. At the 1800m wide ford at Blanchetaque, ten miles inland from the sea, Edward III's (age 33) army crossed the river despite resistance from the French. Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 38) led a force of English longbowmen across the ford to engage the French crossbowmen. Following the archery battle a force of English mounted men-at-arms, probably led by William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 36), engaged with the French. Following the battle the whole English army crossed the river then marched to Crécy to prepare for the next battle.
On 26th August 1346 the army of King Edward III of England (age 33) defeated the French army at the Battle of Crécy. The English army was commanded by King Edward III of England, his son Edward "Black Prince" (age 16), Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 33), William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 36) and John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick (age 30).
The English army was included: Bishop Thomas of Hatfield (age 36), Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 38), Bernard Brocas (age 16), Thomas Felton (age 16), James Audley (age 28), Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier, Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh (age 59), Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh (age 18), Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham (age 51), John Darcy 1st Baron Darcy of Knayth (age 66), Robert Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 37), Richard Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 19), William Scrope (age 21), Stephen Scrope (age 21), William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby (age 16), John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle (age 28), Gerard Lisle 1st Baron Lisle (age 42), Nicholas Longford (age 61), Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh (age 27), Michael Poynings 1st Baron Poynings (age 28), Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 48), John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 34), Thomas West (age 34), John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby (age 43), John Wingfield (age 26), Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy (age 25), Hugh Courtenay 10th Earl Devon (age 43) (possibly), Walter "Elder" Devereux (age 37), John Devereux (age 44), Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos (age 26), Richard Pembridge (age 26) and John Sully (age 63).
The French army suffered significant casualties. King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France (age 52) was wounded. William de Coucy (age 60) and his son Enguerrand 6th Lord de Coucy (age 33) and were killed.
Charles Valois Count Alençon (age 49) was killed. His son Charles (age 9) succeeded Count Alençon.
Louis Chatillon II Count Blois I Count Chatillon was killed. His son Louis succeeded III Count Blois.
Louis Dampierre II Count Nevers I Count Flanders (age 42) was killed. His son Louis (age 15) succeeded III Count Nevers, II Count Flanders.
King John I of Bohemia (age 50) was killed. His son Charles (age 30) succeeded IV King Bohemia.
Rudolph "Valiant" Metz I Duke Lorraine (age 26) was killed. His son John succeeded I Duke Lorraine.
Jean IV de Harcourt (age 39) was killed.
In 1349 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 39) was appointed High Sheriff of Rutlandshire.
In 23rd April 1349 King Edward III of England (age 36) created new Garter Knights:
26th William Fitzwarin (age 33). The date may be earlier.
27th. Robert Ufford (age 50).
28th William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 39).
In 1350 [his daughter] Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey was born to William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 40) and [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 37). She a great granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
Chronicle of Geoffrey the Baker of Swynebroke. In this year1, on the feast day of Saint George [23rd April 1350], the king held a great banquet at Windsor Castle [Map], where he established a chantry of twelve priests, and founded a hospital, in which impoverished knights, whose means were insufficient, could, in the service of the Lord, receive suitable support from the perpetual alms of the founders of that college. Besides the king, other nobles contributed to the foundation of this hospital, namely: the king's eldest son, the Earl of Northampton (age 40), the Earl of Warwick (age 37), the Earl of Suffolk (age 51), the Earl of Salisbury (age 21), and other barons. Also included were simple knights, such as: [his step-son] Roger de Mortimer (age 21), now Earl of March, Lord Walter de Mauny (age 40), Lord William FitzWarin (age 34), John de Lisle (age 14), John de Mohun (age 30), John de Beauchamp (age 31), Walter de Pavely (age 31), Thomas Wale (age 47) and Hugh de Wrottesley (age 16). Men whose proven virtue ranked them among the wealthiest earls. Together with the king, all these men were clothed in robes of powdered russet, with garters of Indian color, also wearing garters on their right legs, and mantles of blue, adorned with the shield of Saint George. In such attire, bareheaded, they devoutly attended a solemn Mass, sung by the bishops of Canterbury, Winchester, and Exeter. They then sat together at a common table, in honour of the holy martyr, to whom they dedicated this noble brotherhood, calling their company "The Knights of Saint George of the Garter."
Isto anno, in die sancti Georgii, rex celebravit grande convivium apud Wyndesore in castro, ubi instituit cantariam xij. sacerdotum, et fundavit zenodochium, in quo milites depauperati, quibus sua non sufficerent, possent in Domini servitute de perpetuis elemosinis fundatorum illius collegii sustentacionem competentem habere. Preter regem fuerunt alii compromittentes in fundacionem istius zenodochii, scilicet regis primogenitus, comes Norhamptonie, comes Warewici, comes Suthfolchie, comes Salisbiriensis, et alii barones; simplices quoque milites, scilicet Rogerus de Mortuo mari, nunc comes Marchie, dominus Walterus de Magne, dominus Willelmus filius Garini, Iohannes de Insula, Iohannes de Mohun, Iohannes de Bealchampe, Walterus de Pavely, Thomas Wale, et Hughe de Wrotesley, quos probitas experta ditissimis comitibus associavit. Una cum rege fuerunt omnes isti vestiti togis de russeto pulverizato cum garteriis Indie coloris, habentes eciam tales garterias in tibiis dextris, et mantella de blueto cum scutulis armorum sancti Georgii. Tali apparatu nudi capita audierunt devote missam celebrem per antistites Cantuariensem, Wintoniensem, et Exoniensem decantatam, et conformiter sederunt in mensa communi ob honourem sancti martiris, cui tam nobilem fraternitatem specialiter intitularunt, appellantes istorum comitivam sancti Georgii de la gartiere.
Note 1. Stow, Annales, 390: "This yeere, on Saint Georges day [23rd April 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, 5. Captaine de Bouch (age 19), 6. Ralph, earle of Stafford (age 48), 7. William Montacute, earle of Salisburie, 8. Roger, lorde Mortimer, 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, 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, 19. sir Hugh Wrothesley, 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. 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 honour of the feast, which they named to be of S. George the martyr and the choosing of the knights of the Garter."
It will be seen that Stow here alters the names to tally with the list of the original knights or First Founders of the order of the Garter. Baker seems to be anticipating. William Bohun, 1st earl of Northampton, and Robert Ufford, 1st earl of Suffolk, and sir William Fitz-Warine became knights of the order at an early date; but Roger Mortimer, here styled 'now Earl of March,' did not have that title before 1352, and sir Walter Manny did not receive the garter till the end of 1359.
The date of the foundation of the order of the Garter has never been exactly determined. Froissart, iii. 37, places it in the year 1344; but it is evident that the festival which he describes is the one in which Edward established the Round Table only. Murimuth, 155, gives a full account of this festival, which was celebrated at Windsor and began on the 19th January; the Round Table was established on the 28th Jan., and its first festival was appointed for Whitsuntide, 23rd May:
In this year [1344], the Lord King ordered that the most noble tournament or chivalric contest be held at the place of his birth, namely, Windsor Castle, on the 19th of January, that is, the 14th day before the Kalends of February. He had it publicly proclaimed at an appropriate earlier time, both across the sea and in England. He also had all the ladies of the southern parts of England and the wives of the London burgesses invited by letter. So, on Sunday, the 14th day before the Kalends of February [19th January], when the earls, barons, knights, and a great many noble ladies had gathered at the castle, the king held a magnificent feast— such that the great hall of the castle was completely filled with ladies, and no man was among them, except two knights from France who had come solely for the celebration. At that feast were two queens, nine countesses, and the wives of barons, knights, and burgesses, whose numbers could hardly be counted. The king himself personally placed each woman in her seat according to rank. Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cornwall, the earls, barons, and knights, together with the common people, dined in tents and other locations, where food and all necessities were provided—freely and without complaint. In the evening, there were various dances and revels, solemnly arranged. For the three days following, the king, along with nineteen other knights, held the tournament against all challengers from outside. And the king himself, not because of royal favour, but because of the great effort he made and the fortune he had during those three days, was awarded the prize among the English participants. Among the foreign challengers, on the first day, Sir Miles de Stapleton, the second day, Sir Philip Despenser, the third day, Sir John Blount (age 46) were each honoured for their performances. On the Thursday following, during the squires' tournament, the king held a great banquet, at which he inaugurated his Round Table, and took the oaths of certain earls, barons, and knights whom he wished to include under a specific form associated with that Round Table. He then set the next meeting of the Round Table to be held at the feast of Pentecost, and gave all those present leave to return home, with thanks and blessings. Later, he ordered that a magnificent building be constructed at Windsor, in which the Round Table could be held on the assigned date. To that end, he appointed masons, carpenters, and other craftsmen, and commanded that timber and stone be provided—sparing no labor or expense. However, this work was later abandoned, for certain reasons.
The Brute chronicle (Egerton MS. 650) has this description, although under a wrong year: And in the XIX yere of his regne, anone aftre, in Jannuere, before Lenten, the same kyng Edward lete make fulle noble iustice and grete festes in the place of hys byrth, at Wyndsore, that ther were never none suche seyne before that tyme, ne I trowe sythene. At whech iustice, festis and ryalte weryn II kinges, II quenys, and the prince of Wales and the duke of Cornewale, ten erles, nine countesse, many barons, knyghttes, and worthy burgesse, the whech myght not lyghtly be nombrede; and also of dyverse londes as byyonde the see were many strangers. And at that tyme, whene |>e iustes had done, the kyng Edward made a grete souper, in the wheche he begone fyrst hys round table, and ordayned stedfastly the day of the forsayd table to be holde ther at Wyndessore in the Whytesonwyke evermore yerely.
Relying on the date given in the statutes of the order and on this passage in Baker, writers on the subject have adopted 1349 or 1350 as the year of foundation. But an entry in the household-book of the Black Prince affords a reason for dating the event a year earlier, payment having been made on the 18th November, 1348, for twenty-four garters which were given by the prince "militibus de societate garterias" i.e. "garters [were given] to the knights of the society"; Beltz, Memorials of the Garter, pp. XXXII, 385. Proof however is not conclusive, as the ministers' accounts in the household-book were rendered between 1352 and 1365, and there is therefore room for error; moreover, the garters in question may have been prepared in anticipation. The date of 1349, which is given in the preamble to the earliest copies of the statutes, although it is true that those copies are not contemporary, is not to be lightly set aside. It is, indeed, most probable that the order was never solemnly instituted at an early period, but that it was gradually taking shape during the years following the foundation of the Round Table. Edward's patent, bearing date of 22nd August 1348, whereby he instituted a chapel at Windsor, with a fraternity of eight secular canons and a warden, fifteen other canons, and four-and-twenty poor knights, appears to be the first formal document which can be quoted as a foundation-deed of the order. After this there is no direct reference to it until 1350, when robes were issued for the King against the coming Feast of St. George, together with a Garter containing the King's motto, "Hony soyt qui mal y pense!" Nicolas, Hist, of Orders of Knighthood, i. 24.
Before 1352 [his step-son] Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March (age 23) and Philippa Montagu Countess March (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess March. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury. He the son of Edmund Mortimer and [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 38).
On 18th June 1356 [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 43) died at Blackfriars Church Holborn.
In September 1359, a case of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings, siblings from the de Bohun family, children of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 49), his only children, and the Fitzalan family, children of , were married:
[his son-in-law] Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel (age 13) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 9) were married. She the daughter of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and [his former wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. He the son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey (age 53) and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 40). They were third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
[his son] Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton (age 18) and [his daughter-in-law] Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton (age 12) were married. She the daughter of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey. He the son of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. They were third cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 13th April 1360 a freak weather event known as Black Monday Hailstorm occurred as the army of King Edward III of England (age 47) were camped outside Chartres [Map]. Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 47), William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 50), Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 50), Edward "Black Prince" (age 29) and Walter Mauny were present. Around one thousand English were killed, with up to six thousand horses. King Edward III of England believed the event to be an Act of God and proceeded to negotiate with the French resulting in the Treaty of Brétigny.
On 28th April 1360 Guy Beauchamp died from injuries received during the Black Monday Hailstorm.
On 16th September 1360 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 50) died. He was buried either in the Courtenay Chantry Chapel at Exeter Cathedral [Map] or at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son [his son] Humphrey (age 19) succeeded 2nd Earl of Northampton. [his daughter-in-law] Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton (age 13) by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Around 1400. Window in the Chicheley Chapel at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map] from the late 14th early 15th Century depicting alliances of the Ufford family (who are thought to have owned the manor of Wimpole before the Chicheleys) and the Plantagenets through the marriage of Ralph Ufford and Maud Plantagenet Countess Ulster, daughter of Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster .
From top to bottom, left to right:
Tiptoft Arms. The Tiptoft family owned the nearby manor of Harleston.
Avenell Arms. The Avenell family once held a manor in Wimpole.
Telemache Arms.
Ufford Arms. Believed to be the arms of William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk. Note the difference of an annulet argent (white) in the top left corner.
Bohun Arms. Possibly William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton.
Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster 1281 1345 Arms. Possibly Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster although the label doesn't appear to have the fleur de lys of France.
Bassingbourne Arms.
Engaine Arms. John de Engaine lived in Huntingdonshire.
Lisle Arms. Possibly Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle. Robert settled at nearby Rampton.
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk who married Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk whose father Walter Norwich owned the manor of Cobbs in Wimpole.
Ufford Arms with a label three points. Believed to be Robert Ufford who predeceased his father Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk.
Bassingbourne Arms.
The figure in the middle is believed to represent William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk.
From an original description by James C Powell 1903.
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Kings Wessex: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 13 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 4 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 12 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Bohun 1st Earl Hereford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Dunkeld Duchess Brittany
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 2nd Earl Hereford 1st Earl Essex
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Fitzpeter 1st Earl Essex
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Mandeville Countess Hereford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Saye
Great x 1 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Lusignan
Great x 3 Grandfather: Raoul Lusignan Count of Eu
Great x 2 Grandmother: Matilda Lusignan Countess Hereford and Essex
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alix Eu
GrandFather: Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex
Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Braose 4th Baron Bramber
Great x 3 Grandfather: Reginald de Braose 8th Baron Abergavenny 6th Baron Bramber
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud "Lady of Hay" St Valery Baroness Bramber
Great x 2 Grandfather: William de Braose 9th Baron Abergavenny 7th Baron Bramber
Great x 3 Grandmother: Graecia Briwere
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor de Braose
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzgilbert
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Salisbury
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eva Marshal
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard "Strongbow" Clare 2nd Earl Pembroke
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Aoife ni Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham
Father: Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex
Great x 4 Grandfather: Eustace Fiennes
Great x 3 Grandfather: Engeurrand "Crusader" Fiennes
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alix Unknown
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Fiennes
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guillaume Flanders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sibylle Flanders
Great x 1 Grandfather: Enguerrand Ingleram Fiennes
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alberic Dammartin
Great x 2 Grandmother: Agnes Dammartin
Great x 4 Grandfather: Renaud II Count Clermont
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mathilde Clermont
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide I Countess Vermandois
GrandMother: Maud Fiennes Countess Essex and Hereford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabel Provence
William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Empress Matilda Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King John of England Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William "Taillefer" Angoulême VI Count Angoulême
Great x 3 Grandfather: Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Courtenay
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Courtenay
GrandFather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Raymond Berenguer Provence IV Count Provence
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rainou of Sabran
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I-Count Geneva
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy
Mother: Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Afonso "Conqueror Founder Great" I King Portugal
Great x 3 Grandmother: Urraca Burgundy Queen Consort Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Malfada Savoy Queen Consort Portugal
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho III King Castile
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile
Great x 2 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England
GrandMother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alberic Dammartin
Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon Dammartin
Great x 4 Grandfather: Renaud II Count Clermont
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mathilde Clermont
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide I Countess Vermandois
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montgomery I Count Ponthieu
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Montgomery IV Count Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice St Pol Countess Ponthieu
Great x 2 Grandmother: Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis VII King Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance of Castile