Eudo Dapifer
Encyclopedia
Eudo Dapifer was a Norman
aristocrat favoured by William the Conqueror.
during a revolt 1047. Eudo's brothers were Ralph, Hubert, and Adam. There was also a sister, named Muriel, who was married to Osbert. Eudo is known as "dapifer" because of his office of steward
, which in Latin is "dapifer". One brother became Bishop of Sees. Another sister was married to Peter of Valognes.
, although some have speculated that Wace
may have designated him as the Sire de Préaux
which Eudo was in possession of by 1070. After the Norman Conquest of England
all four brothers and their father were in England.
Eudo's brother Ralph was named Castellan
of Nottingham
, Hubert had custody of Norwich Castle
, and Adam was one of the commissioners of the Domesday Survey in 1085. Eudo received lands in Essex
, Hertfordshire
, Berkshire
, Bedfordshire
, Norfolk
and in Suffolk
; as well as being a steward of the royal household by at least 1072.
Eudo was present at Rouen
for the death of King William, and then accompanied the new king, William II of England
to England. Eudo was given custody of the royal castles at Dover, Pevensey
, and Hastings
.
Eudo was steward to William II also, and was one of the early adherents, witnessing charters and serving in the royal household. In 1096/7 Eudo founded Colchester Abbey
. During William II's reign, Eudo witnessed 27 royal writs. The historian Francis West, who studied the office of the justiciar
ship, asserts that Eudo, along with Haimo
and Urse d'Abetot
, as well as Ranulf Flambard
, could be considered the first English justiciars, a position that the historian Emma Mason has modified towards them being the first barons of the exchequer. Eudo's position was so powerful that he was able to impede efforts by the monks of Westminster Abbey
to recover a church in London that had previously belonged to the abbey but had been alienated.
Eudo continued at steward to King Henry I of England
, William's younger brother who succeeded as king in 1100. Eudo was one of the witnesses to Henry's coronation charter
, issued shortly after his coronation in August 1100. Eudo was also a royal witness to the treaty between Henry and his brother Robert Curthose in 1101. From his service to Henry, Eudo acquired more lands, including the town of Colchester and several manors. Eudo continued to be a frequent witness to the royal charters and writs, along with Urse and Haimo. In 1103, Eudo's son-in-law William de Mandeville had lands confiscated which were then granted to Eudo. The punishment was likely for allowing Ranulf Flambard to escape from the Tower of London in 1101.
Eudo was married to Rohais, daughter of Richard Fitz Gilbert
, in about 1088. They had one daughter Margaret who married William de Mandeville
and Otuer fitzCount. She was the mother of Geoffrey de Mandeville
, first Earl of Essex
.
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
aristocrat favoured by William the Conqueror.
Early life
Eudo was the fourth son of Hubert of Ryes, who is legendarily known as the loyal vassal who saved the life of Duke William of Normandy in his flight from ValognesValognes
Valognes is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.It lies on the Merderet river, southeast of Cherbourg.-History:...
during a revolt 1047. Eudo's brothers were Ralph, Hubert, and Adam. There was also a sister, named Muriel, who was married to Osbert. Eudo is known as "dapifer" because of his office of steward
Steward
The term steward may refer to:- Titles and positions :* Arch-Steward, a seneschal, prince elector of the Holy Roman Empire* Steward, a flight attendant* Wine steward, a sommelier* Butler, the steward of a household...
, which in Latin is "dapifer". One brother became Bishop of Sees. Another sister was married to Peter of Valognes.
Service in England
There is no evidence of Eudo having been at the Battle of HastingsBattle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II...
, although some have speculated that Wace
Wace
Wace was a Norman poet, who was born in Jersey and brought up in mainland Normandy , ending his career as Canon of Bayeux.-Life:...
may have designated him as the Sire de Préaux
Préaux
Préaux may refer to the following places in France:* Préaux, Ardèche, a commune in the department of Ardèche* Préaux, Indre, a commune in the department of Indre* Préaux, Mayenne, a commune in the department of Mayenne...
which Eudo was in possession of by 1070. After the Norman Conquest of England
Norman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
all four brothers and their father were in England.
Eudo's brother Ralph was named Castellan
Castellan
A castellan was the governor or captain of a castle. The word stems from the Latin Castellanus, derived from castellum "castle". Also known as a constable.-Duties:...
of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, Hubert had custody of Norwich Castle
Norwich Castle
Norwich Castle is a medieval royal fortification in the city of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk. It was founded in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of England when William the Conqueror ordered its construction because he wished to have a fortified place in the important city of...
, and Adam was one of the commissioners of the Domesday Survey in 1085. Eudo received lands in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
and in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
; as well as being a steward of the royal household by at least 1072.
Eudo was present at Rouen
Rouen
Rouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
for the death of King William, and then accompanied the new king, William II of England
William II of England
William II , the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. He was less successful in extending control into Wales...
to England. Eudo was given custody of the royal castles at Dover, Pevensey
Pevensey
Pevensey is a village and civil parish in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. The main village is located 5 miles north-east of Eastbourne, one mile inland from Pevensey Bay. The settlement of Pevensey Bay forms part of the parish.-Geography:The village of Pevensey is located on...
, and Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
.
Eudo was steward to William II also, and was one of the early adherents, witnessing charters and serving in the royal household. In 1096/7 Eudo founded Colchester Abbey
Colchester Abbey
Colchester Abbey was an Benedictine abbey in Colchester .In 1120 Eudo Dapifer, steward to William I and Henry II, was buried there, whilst May 1157 Henry II held a trial in the Abbey concerning the right of the pope to over rule him on matters of religion.John Ballard, an archer, captured the...
. During William II's reign, Eudo witnessed 27 royal writs. The historian Francis West, who studied the office of the justiciar
Justiciar
In medieval England and Ireland the Chief Justiciar was roughly equivalent to a modern Prime Minister as the monarch's chief minister. Similar positions existed on the Continent, particularly in Norman Italy. The term is the English form of the medieval Latin justiciarius or justitiarius In...
ship, asserts that Eudo, along with Haimo
Haimo (dapifer)
Haimo or Hamo was an Anglo-Norman royal official under both King William I of England and King William II of England. He held the office of dapifer, or seneschal, as well as the office of Sheriff of Kent.Haimo was the son of Haimo Dentatus, a Norman lord who held Torigny-sur-Vire near Manche in...
and Urse d'Abetot
Urse d'Abetot
Urse d'Abetot was a Norman as well as a medieval Sheriff of Worcestershire and royal official under Kings William I, William II and Henry I...
, as well as Ranulf Flambard
Ranulf Flambard
Ranulf Flambard was a medieval Norman Bishop of Durham and an influential government minister of King William Rufus of England...
, could be considered the first English justiciars, a position that the historian Emma Mason has modified towards them being the first barons of the exchequer. Eudo's position was so powerful that he was able to impede efforts by the monks of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
to recover a church in London that had previously belonged to the abbey but had been alienated.
Eudo continued at steward to King Henry I of England
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
, William's younger brother who succeeded as king in 1100. Eudo was one of the witnesses to Henry's coronation charter
Charter of Liberties
The Charter of Liberties, also called the Coronation Charter, was a written proclamation by Henry I of England, issued upon his accession to the throne in 1100. It sought to bind the King to certain laws regarding the treatment of church officials and nobles...
, issued shortly after his coronation in August 1100. Eudo was also a royal witness to the treaty between Henry and his brother Robert Curthose in 1101. From his service to Henry, Eudo acquired more lands, including the town of Colchester and several manors. Eudo continued to be a frequent witness to the royal charters and writs, along with Urse and Haimo. In 1103, Eudo's son-in-law William de Mandeville had lands confiscated which were then granted to Eudo. The punishment was likely for allowing Ranulf Flambard to escape from the Tower of London in 1101.
Death and legacy
Eudo died at Préaux in Normandy early in 1120 but was buried at Colchester 28 February 1120. He left gifts to Colchester Abbey, including the manor of Brightlingsea.Eudo was married to Rohais, daughter of Richard Fitz Gilbert
Richard Fitz Gilbert
Richard fitz Gilbert , was a Norman lord who participated in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as "de Bienfaite", "de Clare", and "de Tonbridge".-Biography:...
, in about 1088. They had one daughter Margaret who married William de Mandeville
William de Mandeville
William de Mandeville inherited the estates of his father Geoffrey around 1100. He was constable of the Tower of London at that time, and thus keeper of the first person known to be imprisoned there for political reasons, Ranulf Flambard...
and Otuer fitzCount. She was the mother of Geoffrey de Mandeville
Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex
Geoffrey de Mandeville II, 1st Earl of Essex was one of the prominent players during the reign of King Stephen of England. His biographer, the 19th-century historian J. H...
, first Earl of Essex
Earl of Essex
Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals. The earldom was first created in the 12th century for Geoffrey II de Mandeville . Upon the death of the third earl in 1189, the title became dormant or extinct...
.