THE FORMATION OF THE MIDLAND HONOURS OF TUTBURY AND LEICESTER WITHIN THE ...

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THE FORMATION OF THE MIDLAND HONOURS OF TUTBURY AND
LEICESTER WITHIN THE EARLDOM, LATER DUCHY, OF LANCASTER,
1265-1330
Thesis submitted for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
at the University of Leicester
by
Paula Bernadette Dobrowolski MA (York)
Department of History
University of Leicester
April 1993
UMI Number: U058078
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To
Rita Dobrowolski and Jon Dobrowolski
my mother and brother
for their everlasting moral support
THE FORMATION OF THE MIDLAND HONOURS OF TUTBURY AND
LEICESTER WITHIN THE EARLDOM, LATER DUCHY, OF LANCASTER,
1265-1330
by
Paula Bernadette Dobrowolski MA York
This thesis studies the formation of the earldom of
Lancaster from disparate elements of confiscated honours,
in particular the earldom of Leicester, seized by the Crown
in 1265, and the earldom of Derby which passed to the Crown
through the disinheritance of Robert de Ferrers in 1266.
There are three main sections. A study of both earls,
their history and the methods by which the Crown took their
earldoms in order to re-grant them, in the form of an
appanage, to Edmund of Lancaster (1267-96), Henry Ill's
second son. It also analyses the attempts of their
families to regain their patrimony. The honours of Tutbury
and Leicester were extensive, thus the thesis concentrates
on the lands of these honours which fall within the midland
counties. The effects of the civil war upon the tenantry,
and the holdings of both honours are studied to ascertain
whether change or continuity is the overriding factor. The
bond between lord and tenant is also examined.
The second section deals with the last days of Thomas
of Lancaster (1296-1322) and the Crown's confiscation of
his lands; the earldom was faced with total abeyance.
The third section studies the revival in the fortunes
of the earldom under the management of Henry of Lancaster
(1326-45). Through astute political manoeuvre and a
defiant use of the power afforded him by his retinue, he
regained the great majority of the lands over which Edmund
of Lancaster had held sway.
A further central theme examines the position of the
widows involved in the confiscations: Eleanor da Ferrers,
Eleanor de Montfort and Alice of Lancaster. Their
difficulty in obtaining seizin of their dowers led to a
corresponding lack of personal and financial security.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my thanks to Dr Danny Williams
who began as my adviser and has become a personal
friendo He has been a constant inspiration throughout
the years I have worked on the earldom of Lancaster,
and has always believed in the importance of the thesis
and in my ability to bring it to a successful
conclusion. I would also like to thank my examiners,
Professor Michael Prestwich and Professor Norman
Housley, who by their kindness made my viva a positive
rather than a terrifying experience. The numerous
staff in the various libraries and record offices that
I have used during my research must also be thanked for
their help with my enquiries, particularly those of the
University Library at Leicester, the Public Record
Office, Chancery Lane, Leicestershire County Record
Office, and the Derbyshire Record Office. My family
and friends have been a constant source of support;
particularly my mother and brother, but my aunts,
uncles and cousins have all taken a keen interest in my
progress. Among my friends Ingrid Collins deserves a
special mention since she was always ready to
accommodate me on my trips to London at short notice;
the members of the Senior Common Room in Stamford Hall
should also be congratulated for their patience in
listening to my babblings in my many hours of need! It
only remains for me to say that any errors are mine
alone.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABBREVIATIONS
oooo ooooqoooooooooooooooooooooo . ooooooV
INTRODUCTION oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooX
SECTION I: THE FORMATION OF THE LANCASTRIAN HONOURS OF
TUTBURY AND LEICESTER
1 THE CAREER AND DISINHERITANCE OF ROBERT DE FERRERS, SIXTH
EARL 0F DERBY, 1254 — 66000000000000000000000000000I
2 THE ATTEMPTS OF THE FERRERS FAMILY TO REGAIN THE EARLDOM
OF DERBY oooooeooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooeoo3Ô
3 EDMUND OF LANCASTER'S HOLDINGS IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES OF
THE HONOUR OF TUTBURY
(a) DERBY UP TO 1298.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooeeoo47
(b) STAFFORD UP TO 1298oooooooooooooooooooooooooeoo63
4 THE CONFISCATION OF THE EARLDOM OF SIMON DE MONTFORT,
EARL OF LEICESTER 1239—65 ooooooeoooooooooo.oooooo120
5 THE POSITION OF ELEANOR, COUNTESS OF LEICESTER AND HER
CHILDREN AFTER THE DEATH OF SIMON DE MONTFORT 1215-75
6 EDMUND OF LANCASTER'S HOLDINGS IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES OF
THE HONOUR OF LEICESTER
(a) LEICESTER UP TO 1298.000000000.000000000000.00.140
(b) RUTLAND UP TO 1298ooo..ee.oo..o..oooo.o..o.oooo210
SECTION II: THOMAS, EARL OF LANCASTER, 1296-1322
7 THE CONFISCATION OF THE EARLDOM OF THOMAS OF LANCASTER
8 ALICE, COUNTESS OF LANCASTER AND LINCOLN AND HER ATTEMPTS
TO ESTABLISH HER DOWER LANDS....... .....o... ......254
SECTION III: HENRY EARL OF LANCASTER 1326-45
9 HENRY, THIRD EARL OF LANCASTER, 1326-45: HIS ROLE AND
THAT OF HIS RETAINERS IN THE RECOVERY OF HIS EARLDOM
1322 30o...0.0000008.0..000.000000000.0000.00..0.293
C ONC LU SION0000000000000000000000000000000.0000000..351
APPENDIX ONE: LISTS OF EDMUND OF LANCASTER'S HOLDINGS IN
THE HONOURS OF TUTBURY AND LEICESTER 1296-8
APPENDIX TWO: MEN ATTACHED TO EDMUND OF LANCASTER 1255-96
APPENDIX THREE: WITNESSES AND MANUCAPTORS OF THE DEEDS OF
ROBERT DE FERRERS IN 1269. ......376
APPENDIX FOUR: MEN CONNECTED WITH HENRY, THIRD EARL OF
LANCASTER, 1326-51..................379
APPENDIX FIVE: THE ADVOWSONS OF EDMUND OF LANCASTER
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooeoooo33A
BIBLIOGRAPHYoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooeooooooooo 383
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The following abbreviations are used in the footnotes. All
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OCR Calendar-of-Close-Rolls
CCR-Supp-1244-66 Calendar ~ of - Close-Rolls - Supplementary
----
CFR Calendar-of-Fine-Rolls
CIM Calendar - of-Inquisitions-Miscellaneous
GIPM Calendar of-Inquisitions - Post-Mortem
CLR Calendar.of.the-Liberate-Rolls
CP The - Complete ..Peerage
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