Random stories from the pages of the two de Lacy books,
The de Lacy barons had the power to grant Knights' fees and used them to reward de Lacy family members who had loyally served them since 1069. The early de Lacys of Limerick were de Lacy Knights. These are the Royal terms to be met to grant this privilege. Knight's fee. A King or feudal Anglo-Norman overlord with sufficient status and landholding within England or Ireland had the right to grant the title 'Sir' and a knight's fee in perpetuity. The size of the rent-free fee required acreage that is able to produce a good crop or revenue, depending on its location, the richness of its soil, and the local climate, as well as the presence of other exploitable resources such as fish-weirs, rock quarries, or mineral mines. If a knight's fee includes a manor, the average size would be between 1,000 and 5,000 acres. However, upon granting, it may also contain forest and yet-to-be-developed moorland, as well as the title, Sir, and be regarded as Squire. Ho often served as the local magistrate. In return, the Knight paid homage and fealty, giving a vow of loyalty to his overlord, either by offering a significant internal role or, in most cases, military service. A knight was required to maintain the dignity of knighthood, which meant that he should live in suitable style and be well-turned out in battle, with the necessary number of esquires and retainers to serve him and his horses. All the de Lacy barons granted many Knights' Fees throughout England and Ireland. Most were given to loyal de Lacy cousins. They became the eyes, ears and caretakers for de Lacy interests away from the castles.
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October 14th, 1066, Hastings, England: William, Duke of Normandy, and his Barons stepped onto the English shore. With time to spare, they disembarked the entire Norman army. They then prepared for the upcoming battle with King Harold's forces. Walter and his sons, Roger and Hugh, all had command and fought under the overall supervision of Duke William's close cousin, William FitzOsbern. They faced the English soldiers head-on, fighting with extraordinary valour in the centre of the battle. Under the command of William’s half-brother Bishop Odo, Ilbert de Lacy led repeated cavalry attacks on King Harold’s flanks. The de Lacy family played a vital role in the day's victory over Harold's exhausted English army. King William, having defeated King Harold’s armies, claimed the English throne for himself. William was well aware by 1067 that he still needed to conquer the West and North of England. King Harold may have been king, but he frequently suppressed Anglo-Saxon uprisings outside Wessex and Mercia. Harold had never subdued the Welsh Britons. Even fewer Jutes, Franks, and Angles lived along the East English coast. In the Fens, only a Viking treaty kept the fragile peace. Northern England was constantly under attack by Viking raiders. The Anglo-Viking population was Franks and Angles along the East English coast. In the Fens, only a Viking treaty kept the fragile peace. Northern England was constantly under attack by Viking raiders. The Anglo-Viking population was likely to pay homage to one or another, but not to a new third power. The de Lacy family was now in England and would remain there. Here is a short link to the Wikipedia relevant page: https://w.wiki/3ksP Llanthony Priory: In 1108, William de Lacy, a knight in the service of his Overlord, Baron Hugh de Lacy. He carried out a patrol in the remote Honddu valley on the opposite side of the Black Mountain to his home Castle at Longtown. A devout man, William felt moved by the remoteness and peace surrounding the derelict Anglo-Saxon Church where St David was said to have lived as a hermit. He sought the permission of his overlord to forsake the world and his life as a soldier and become a hermit there himself. Llanthony Priory was one of the earliest houses of Augustinian canons to be founded in Britain and is one of only a handful in Wales. It is chiefly famous today for its wild and beautiful setting, far up the Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains. The priory's remoteness in the Welsh hills was its undoing, however, making it vulnerable to attack. Giraldus Cambrensis described it, in the late 12th century, as being 'fixed amongst a barbarous people'.The 4th Lord of Weobley, Baron Hugh (II) de Lacy, in circa 1155, provided men, land, and support to restore Llanthony Priory in the now-named Vale of Ewyes. The restoration was carried out for many years by Baron Hugh de Lacy, and upon his death in 1181, by his son, Baron Walter (II) de Lacy, who continued to receive support and funds from as far afield as Ireland. Further pictures and facts can be found here. https://castlewales.com/llantho.html Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, was the greatest and last of the de Lacy baronial family. Born in 1249, he became the 8th Baron of Pontefract, the 9th Baron of Halton, the 9th Lord of Bowland, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, and the 1st Lord of Denbigh (in 1282). A close friend and confidant of King Edward I., Henry died in 1311 and was interred in the first St. Paul's Cathedral following a state funeral. His shield is also displayed today at Westminster Abbey, recognising his services to England. |
