Notes:

Adeliza Fitzosulf le Freyne du Plessis married, secondly, Robert de Tosny.1 She married, firstly, Guillaume d'Aubigny. She was also known as Adeliza de Belvoir.

Adeliza — Guillaume d'Aubigny. Guillaume was born Bef 1010; died Abt 1086. [Group Sheet]

Adeliza — Robert de Tosny. Robert died 1088. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

He married Amicia de Ferrers.

Roger — Amice de Montbray. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

He was Abbott of St. Alband's.

Notes:

She married Roger le Bigod, son of Roger le Bigod.

Alice — Roger le Bigod. Roger (son of Roger le Bigod) was born Bef 1071; died 08 Sep 1107, Earsham, Norfolk, England; was buried Aft 08 Sep 1107, Norwich, Norfolk, England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Guillaume d'Aubigny was the son of Roger d'Aubigny.2 He married Maud le Bigod, daughter of Roger le Bigod and Alice de Tosny.2 He held the office of Lord of the Manor of Buckenham, Norfolk. He migrated from the Côtentin to England.

Guillaume — Maud le Bigod. (daughter of Roger le Bigod and Alice de Tosny) [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She married William de Albini circa 1107.

Maud — Guillaume d'Aubigny. Guillaume (son of Roger d'Aubigny and Amice de Montbray) died 1139; was buried Norfolk, England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

He died in 1120, drowned in the wreck of the White Ship.

Notes:

He married, firstly, Juliane de Vere, daughter of Aubrey de Vere. He married, secondly, Gundred de Newburgh, daughter of Roger de Newburgh, 2nd Earl of Warwick and Gundred de Warenne.

Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk (1095-1177) was born at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, England.

He was the second son of Roger Bigod (also known as Roger Bigot) (d. 1107), Sheriff of Norfolk, who founded the Bigod name in England. Hugh Bigod became a controversial figure in history, known for his frequent switching of loyalties and hasty reactions towards measures of authority.

Early years

Hugh inherited large estates in East Anglia on the death of his brother William, who perished without issue in the sinking of the White Ship on 26 November 1120. He succeeded his aunt Albreda - and by extension, her eldest brother Berengar - as heir both to Berengar's tenancy-in-chief in Lincolnshire and the Norman lands of Robert de Tosny of Belvoirwas. He became Constable of Norwich Castle and Governor of the City of Norwich in 1122. He enjoyed the favour of Henry I.

During King Stephen's reign

At first a supporter of Stephen of Blois during this king's struggle with the empress Matilda. His initiation in history was on the death of Henry I in 1135, when Maud expected to succeed to the throne of England, but her cousin, Stephen of Blois usurped the throne, breaking an oath he had previously made to defend her rights. It was Bigod who claimed that Henry I (Maud's father, and Stephen's uncle) intended for Stephen to become king at the expense of the empress. Civil War resulted when in 1139 Maud could command the military strength necessary to challenge Stephen within his own realm. Maud's greatest triumph came in Feb. 1141, when her forces defeated and captured King Stephen; he was made a prisoner and effectively deposed. Her advantage lasted only until July of that year, and she released Stephen in Dec. In 1147, Maud was finally forced to return to France, following the death of Robert of Gloucester, her strongest supporter and half-brother.

King Stephen had initially kept his followers together, but in 1136 Stephen was stricken with sickness. A lethargy fastened on him and the report of his death was quickly spread abroad. A rising of the turbulent barons necessarily followed, and Bigod was the first to take up arms. He seized and held Norwich; but Stephen, quickly recovering laid siege to the city and Hugh was compelled to surrender. Acting with unusual clemency, Stephen spared the rebel, who for a short time remained faithful. In 1140 the Earl is said to have declared for the empress, yet early in the next year he is in the ranks of Stephen's army fighting in the disastrous First Battle of Lincoln, after which the Earl deserted him and assumed a position of armed neutrality during the civil war, sometimes called 'General Anarchy'.

Later, the disagreement between King Stephen and Archbishop Theobald in 1148 created yet another scenario for Hugh Bigod to come forward; this time, he sided with the archbishop, and received him in his Castle of Framlingham, but joined with others in achieving a reconciliation.

Rise of King Henry II

Five years later, in 1153, when Henry, Duke of Normandy, soon to be King Henry II (r. 1154-89), landed in England to assert his claim to the throne, Bigod vested his interests with the rising power, and held out in Ipswich against Stephen's forces, while Henry II, on the other side, laid siege to Stamford. Both places fell. In the critical state of his fortunes Stephen was in no position to punish the rebel. Negotiations were also going on between the two parties, and Hugh again eluded retaliation.

On Henry II's accession in December 1154, Bigod at once received confirmation of the possession of his earldom and stewardship by charter issued apparently in January of the next year. The first years of the new reign were spent in restoring order to the shattered kingdom, and in breaking the power of the independent barons, which had grown out of control during King Stephen's reign.

It was not before long that Bigod became agitated under the rule of law initiated by Henry. He grew restless with measures such as the scutage, a fee paid by vassals in lieu of military service, which became the central feature of Henry II's military system of operation by 1159. The Earl showed signs of resistance, but was at once put down. In 1157 Henry II marched into the eastern counties and received the earl's submission.

After this incident Hugh Bigod makes no significant appearances in the chronicles for some time; he is named among those who had been excommunicated by Becket, in consequence of his retention of lands belonging to the monastery of Pentney in Norfolk.

The revolt of 1173

In 1173 the young crowned prince Henry (also known as Henry the Young King), raised a revolt against his father, Henry II. This gave Hugh Bigod, yet another chance for rebellion, along with the league of the English barons with the kings of France and Scotland in his favour. He at once became a leader in the cause, perhaps eager to revive the feudal power, which Henry II had curtailed. In addition to the fact that the inevitable conflict, as far as England was concerned, centered round his possessions. The custody of Norwich Castle was promised by the young prince as his reward.

The king's energy and good fortune were equal to the occasion. While he held in check his rebel vassals in France, the loyal barons in England defeated his enemies there. Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester (d.1190) landed at Walton, in Suffolk, on 29 September 1173 and marched to Framlingham, joining forces with Hugh. Together they besieged and took the castle of Hagenet in Suffolk on 13 October, held by Randal de Broc for the crown. But the Earl of Leicester was defeated and taken prisoner setting out from Framlingham at Fornham, St. Genevieve, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk by the justiciar, Richard de Luci and other barons. These, then turned their arms against Earl Hugh, not strong enough to fight, he opened negotiations with his assailants. It is said he bought them off, and at the same time secured a safe passage home for the Flemings in his service.

Final days

Though defeated and compelled to surrender his castles, Bigod kept his lands and his earldom, and lived at peace with Henry II until his death reportedly in 1177 in Palestine.

It should be noted, however, that on 1 March 1177, his son Roger Bigod appealed to the king on a dispute with his stepmother. Hugh being dead at the time of Roger's appeal, the date of his father's death is fixed 'ante caput jejunii', (i.e. before 9 March). If, then, he died in Palestine, his death must have taken place in the preceding year, 1176, to allow time for the arrival of the news in England. Henry II took advantage of Roger's appeal to seize upon the late Earl's treasure. Earl Hugh had possessed vast estates, which he inherited, and was also the recipient of the third penny of judicial fines levied in the county of Norfolk by right of his earldom.

Marriage and family

He married twice.

Before 1140 he married Juliane de Vere (died c.1199) probably born in Essex, England. She was the daughter of Aubrey de Vere II and Adeliza de Clare, the daughter of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Clare. Their marriage was dissolved before 1168. Their son:

Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk (b. c. 1144-1221).

His second wife was Gundreda (c.1135-1200), daughter of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick. They had two children:

Hugh Bigod (b. circa 1156)
William Hugh Bigod (b.1168)

Hugh — Gundred de Newburgh. Gundred (daughter of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick and Gundred de Warenne) was born Abt 1135; died Between 1200 and 1208. [Group Sheet]

Hugh — Juliana, Countess of Norfolk. Juliana (daughter of Aubrey de Vere, II and Alice FitzRichard Clare) died Aft 1185. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She married Robert fitz Swein of Essex. She married Haimo de St. Clair.

Jane — Richard (Robert) FitzEustace, 5th Baron Lacy. Richard (son of Eustace FitzJohn and Agnes of Halton) was born Abt 1120, Halton; died 1163. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

He was created 1st Earl of Arundel [England] circa 1138. He held the office of Lord of the Manor of Buckenham, Norfolk in 1139. In 1139 he gave shelter to the Empress Maud at Arundel Castle, but ever after adhered to King Stephen. In 1153 he was influential in arranging the treaty where King Stephen retained the crown for life, but with Henry II as heir. In 1163/64 he was one of the embassy to Rome. In 1168 he was one of the embassy to Saxony. He was commander of the Royal army in Normandy, against the King's rebellious sons, where he distinguished himself with "swiftness and velocity" in August 1173. He fought in the battle near Bury St. Edmunds on 29 September 1173, where he assisted in the defeat of the Earl of Leicester who had, with his Flemings, invaded Suffolk. He has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Dictionary of National Biography

Albini (Pincerna), William de, Earl of Arundel d. 1176, was son of William de Albini Pincerna (the Butler), lord of Buckenham, Norfolk, by Maud, daughter of Roger le Bigod [see Bigod, Roger le]. He is said to have been surnamed with the strong hand, a sobriquet that may have suggested the story of the Lion (Dugdale) invented to account for his family arms. Between 1135 and 1139 (Chron. Norm.) he married Adeliza, widow of Henry I [see Adeliza of Louvain], and became, in right of her life interest, lord of the castle and honour of Arundel. With her he received Matilda on her landing 30 Sept. 1139 (Gervase, Rolls Ser. i. 110), but was ever after faithful to Stephen, from whom, probably, he received his earldom, which would seem to have been that of the county of Sussex, though also described as of Chichester, from its capital, and of Arundel, from the earl's residence (First Report on the Dignity of a Peer [1829]; Tierney's Arundel, i. 101 et seq.; Madox's Baronage, p. 23; Nicolas's Synopsis [ed. Courthope], pp. 28, 464; Journ. Brit. Arch. Ass. xxiii. 25-27). On Henry landing in 1153 and facing Stephen at Wallingford, he was foremost in proposing and arranging a truce (Gervase, i. 154, ii. 76), and he was subsequently one of the witnesses to the final composition between them (Rymer, Federa, i. 25). On the accession of Henry II (1154) he was confirmed in his earldom of Sussex, and was given in fee the honour of Arundel, which he had previously only held for his wife's life. In November 1164 he was despatched with other magnates on an embassy to Louis VII and to the pope (Gervase, i. 190, 193) with reference to Becket's appeal, and in 1167 was selected by the king (R. Diceto) to escort his daughter into Germany on her marriage with Henry of Saxony (1168). Upon the revolt of Prince Henry he declared for the king, and served under him in the French campaign of August 1173. The Earl of Leicester having landed in Suffolk with his Flemings, 29 Sept. 1173, Arundel, with the Earls of Cornwall and Gloucester, marched against the invading forces, and, joining the justiciar and constable near Bury St. Edmund's, assisted in the defeat of Leicester (17 Oct.). The earl died at Waverley 12 Oct. 1176 (Ann. Wav.).

Sources:

Dugdale's Baronage (1675), i. 119
Vincent's Discovery of Brooke's Errors (1621), pp. 20, 537-9
Tierney's Arundel, i. 169
Dallaway's Rape of Arundel (new ed.), p. 117
Harleian MSS. 4840
two MSS. in College of Arms, Vincent No. 450, and Sheldon No. 3 (Comites Arundel).

Contributor: J. H. R. [John Horace Round]

Published: 1885

William married Adeliza of Louvain 1138. Adeliza (daughter of Godfrey, I Count of Louvain and Ida of Namur) was born Abt 1103, Louvain, Belgium; died Abt 23 Apr 1151, Afflingham, Flanders, Belgium; was buried Afflingham, Flanders, Belgium. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Roger le Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk was the son of Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk and Juliane de Vere. He married Ida de Tosny.

Roger Bigod (c. 1144/1150 - 1221) was the son of Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk and his first wife, Juliana de Vere. Although his father died 1176 or 1177, Roger did not succeed to the earldom of Norfolk until 1189 for his claim had been disputed by his stepmother for her sons by Earl Hugh in the reign of Henry II. Richard I confirmed him in his earldom and other honours, and also sent him as an ambassador to France in the same year. Roger inherited his father's office as royal steward. He took part in the negotiations for the release of Richard from prison, and after the king's return to England became a justiciar.

In most of the years of the reign of King John, the earl was frequently with the king or on royal business. Yet Roger was to be one of the leaders of the baronial party which obtained John's assent to Magna Carta, and his name and that of his son and heir Hugh II appear among the twenty-five barons who were to ensure the king's adherence to the terms of that document. The pair were excommunicated by the pope in December 1215, and did not make peace with the regents of John's son Henry III until 1217.

Around Christmas 1181, Roger married Ida, apparently Ida de Tosny (or Ida de Toesny), and by her had a number of children including:

Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk who married in 1206/ 1207, Maud, a daughter of William Marshal
William Bigod
Ralph Bigod
Roger Bigod
Margery, married William de Hastings
Mary Bigod, married Ralph fitz Robert

Many historians, including Marc Morris have speculated that the couple had a third daughter, Alice, who married Aubrey de Vere IV, Earl of Oxford as his second wife. If so, the marriage would have been well within the bounds of consanguinity, for the couple would have been quite closely related, a daughter of the second earl of Norfolk being first cousin once removed to the second earl of Oxford.

Roger married Ida de Tosny, Countess of Norfolk Abt 25 Dec 1181. [Group Sheet]

Roger — . Unknown [Group Sheet]