Engelard de Cigogné
Encyclopedia
Engelard de Cigogné was a 13th century Norman French-born administrator serving King John of England.
He was born in France, a relative (son or nephew) of Gérard d'Athée, a trusted lieutenant of King John. John arranged for Gerard and his relatives to follow him to England in 1207. Engelard was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire
and Herefordshire
in 1210, following on from Gérard. The whole family of Gérard, including Engelard, came to be generally disliked as foreign born officials and were referred to as the king's "evil counsellors".
Following the Barons' Revolt the Magna Carta
was drawn up in 1215 in which the king made a number of commitments to meet the barons' demands. Item 58 specifically promised that Gérard Athée and his whole family would henceforth be banned from office. Accordingly Engelard was duly relieved of his shrievalties in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
The barons had meanwhile invited King Louis
of France to be King of England in place of John and the French king duly occupied southern England and besieged the castles of Odiham, Dover and Windsor. As constable of Windsor Engelard led its resistance to a besieging force led by the Count of Nevers until the besiegers left to pursue other objectives.
After peace was restored Engelard was rewarded for his services by being given the manor of Benson in Oxfordshire. He was then appointed High Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire
in 1233. He had married Agatha and had a son, Oliver.
He was born in France, a relative (son or nephew) of Gérard d'Athée, a trusted lieutenant of King John. John arranged for Gerard and his relatives to follow him to England in 1207. Engelard was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire
High Sheriff of Gloucestershire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Gloucestershire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
and Herefordshire
High Sheriff of Herefordshire
The Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions are now...
in 1210, following on from Gérard. The whole family of Gérard, including Engelard, came to be generally disliked as foreign born officials and were referred to as the king's "evil counsellors".
Following the Barons' Revolt the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
was drawn up in 1215 in which the king made a number of commitments to meet the barons' demands. Item 58 specifically promised that Gérard Athée and his whole family would henceforth be banned from office. Accordingly Engelard was duly relieved of his shrievalties in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
The barons had meanwhile invited King Louis
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
of France to be King of England in place of John and the French king duly occupied southern England and besieged the castles of Odiham, Dover and Windsor. As constable of Windsor Engelard led its resistance to a besieging force led by the Count of Nevers until the besiegers left to pursue other objectives.
After peace was restored Engelard was rewarded for his services by being given the manor of Benson in Oxfordshire. He was then appointed High Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire
High Sheriff of Berkshire
The High Sheriff of Berkshire, in common with other counties, was originally the King's representative on taxation upholding the law in Saxon times. The word Sheriff evolved from 'shire-reeve'....
in 1233. He had married Agatha and had a son, Oliver.