Miles Stapleton of Bedale
Encyclopedia
Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedale (or of Cotherstone) KG
(1320?–1364) was an English knight, one of the Knights Founder of the Order of the Garter
. He was the eldest son of Gilbert de Stapleton, knt. (d. 1321), and the grandson of Miles de Stapleton (d. 1314). His mother was Matilda (b. 1298), also called Agnes, elder daughter and coheiress of Brian FitzAlan
, lord of Bedale
, Askham Bryan
, and Cotherstone. Through his paternal line, he was a great-grandson of Dervorguilla of Galloway
, mother of John Balliol, King of Scotland
, and a descendant of the Bruces
by Laderia, daughter of Peter III de Brus of Skelton
and grandmother of Sir Gilbert. Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedale should not be confused with Sir Miles Stapleton of Haddlesey (ca. 1318–1372), occasionally identified as le seigneur.
Only an infant at the death of his father, he was at the Siege of Tournai (1340)
with his younger brother Brian Stapleton, and then fought in Brittany during the War of Breton Succession. He was probably at the siege of Calais in 1347. He participated in three tournaments between October 1347 and January 1348, at Bury St Edmunds, Eltham, and Windsor, after which he was described as a knight of the chamber in the Wardrobe accounts.
In October 1351 Stapleton joined the newly knighted William Latimer
abroad. In 1354 he participated in an embassy to Pope Innocent VI
requesting intervention in the Anglo-French war. Stapleton joined Henry Lancaster's
raid across Normandy in 1356 in support of Philippe de Navarre
, whom he served in 1358 as a messenger. In June 1361 he received an annuity of 100l. from the exchequer for his ‘unwearied labours and laudable services.’. He may have been the Miles Stapleton who was one of the witnesses to the treaty of Brétigny
in 1360. In March 1361 and August 1362 he served on commissions of peace with the Earl of Suffolk
. In January 1363 Stapleton was one of a group of English knights recorded as borrowing money from local merchants at Thorn
in Poland, most likely during a Prussian crusade.
He died in December of 1364, possibly, as the family historian conjectures, of wounds received in the battle of Auray
(29 September 1364).
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(1320?–1364) was an English knight, one of the Knights Founder of the Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
. He was the eldest son of Gilbert de Stapleton, knt. (d. 1321), and the grandson of Miles de Stapleton (d. 1314). His mother was Matilda (b. 1298), also called Agnes, elder daughter and coheiress of Brian FitzAlan
Bryan FitzAlan, Lord FitzAlan
Sir Bryan FitzAlan, Baron FitzAlan Knt. was Lord of the Manor of Bedale in Richmondshire, Askham Bryan in the Ainsty, Bainton, Heworth &c., in Yorkshire, Bicker and Graby in Lincolnshire, a J.P., and High Sheriff of Yorkshire, &c...
, lord of Bedale
Bedale
Bedale is a market town and civil parish in the district of Hambleton, North Yorkshire, England. It lies north of Leeds, southwest of Middlesbrough, and south west of the county town of Northallerton...
, Askham Bryan
Askham Bryan
Askham Bryan is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of City of York in the north of England, 6 miles south west of York, west of Bishopthorpe, and close to Askham Richard and Copmanthorpe. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 582. Prior to 1996 it formed...
, and Cotherstone. Through his paternal line, he was a great-grandson of Dervorguilla of Galloway
Dervorguilla of Galloway
Dervorguilla of Galloway was a 'lady of substance' during the 13th century, wife from 1223 of John, 5th Baron de Balliol, and mother of the future king John I of Scotland. The name Dervorguilla or Devorgilla was a Latinization of the Gaelic Dearbhfhorghaill...
, mother of John Balliol, King of Scotland
John of Scotland
John Balliol , known to the Scots as Toom Tabard , was King of Scots from 1292 to 1296.-Early life:Little of John's early life is known. He was born between 1248 and 1250 at an unknown location, possibilities include Galloway, Picardy and Barnard Castle, County Durham...
, and a descendant of the Bruces
Clan Bruce
Clan Bruce is a Scottish clan from Kincardine in Scotland. It was a Royal House in the 14th century, producing two kings of Scotland.-Origins of the Clan:...
by Laderia, daughter of Peter III de Brus of Skelton
Skelton-in-Cleveland
Skelton-in-Cleveland is a small town in the civil parish of Skelton and Brotton in the unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire in the North East of England. It is situated at the foot of the Cleveland Hills and about east of Middlesbrough. Skelton is...
and grandmother of Sir Gilbert. Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedale should not be confused with Sir Miles Stapleton of Haddlesey (ca. 1318–1372), occasionally identified as le seigneur.
Only an infant at the death of his father, he was at the Siege of Tournai (1340)
Siege of Tournai (1340)
During the Hundred Years' War, after the naval battle at Sluys on 20 June 1340, in which Edward III of England dealt the French a heavy blow, he went on to besiege Tournai. This city in Flanders was loyal to Philip VI of France....
with his younger brother Brian Stapleton, and then fought in Brittany during the War of Breton Succession. He was probably at the siege of Calais in 1347. He participated in three tournaments between October 1347 and January 1348, at Bury St Edmunds, Eltham, and Windsor, after which he was described as a knight of the chamber in the Wardrobe accounts.
In October 1351 Stapleton joined the newly knighted William Latimer
William Latimer, 4th Baron Latimer
William Latimer, 4th Baron Latimer, KG was an English noble, soldier and diplomat. After serving in France and for the household of Edward III, he was impeached during the Good Parliament of 1376, the earliest recorded impeachment in the Parliament of England.-Early life and service in France:Born...
abroad. In 1354 he participated in an embassy to Pope Innocent VI
Pope Innocent VI
Pope Innocent VI , born Étienne Aubert; his father was Adhemar Aubert seigneur de Montel-De-Gelas in Limousin province. His niece was Catherine Aubert, Dame de Boutheon, also the wife of Randon II baron de Joyeuse; she is La Fayette's ancestor...
requesting intervention in the Anglo-French war. Stapleton joined Henry Lancaster's
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 4th Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, KG , also Earl of Derby, was a member of the English nobility in the 14th century, and a prominent English diplomat, politician, and soldier...
raid across Normandy in 1356 in support of Philippe de Navarre
Philip, Count of Longueville
Philip of Navarre, Count of Longueville was a younger brother and supporter of Charles II of Navarre, a claimant to the French throne. The son of Philip III of Navarre and Joan II of Navarre, he married Yolande of Flanders in 1353. She was the daughter of Robert of Flanders and Jeanne of...
, whom he served in 1358 as a messenger. In June 1361 he received an annuity of 100l. from the exchequer for his ‘unwearied labours and laudable services.’. He may have been the Miles Stapleton who was one of the witnesses to the treaty of Brétigny
Treaty of Brétigny
The Treaty of Brétigny was a treaty signed on May 9, 1360, between King Edward III of England and King John II of France. In retrospect it is seen as having marked the end of the first phase of the Hundred Years' War —as well as the height of English hegemony on the Continent.It was signed...
in 1360. In March 1361 and August 1362 he served on commissions of peace with the Earl of Suffolk
Robert d'Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk
Robert d'Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk, KG was born in Thurston, Suffolk, England to Robert d'Ufford and Cecily de Valoines. On 13 November 1334 he married Margaret de Norwich, daughter of Sir Walter Norwich and Catherine de Hedersete. They had four children. He was made Earl of Suffolk in...
. In January 1363 Stapleton was one of a group of English knights recorded as borrowing money from local merchants at Thorn
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
in Poland, most likely during a Prussian crusade.
He died in December of 1364, possibly, as the family historian conjectures, of wounds received in the battle of Auray
Battle of Auray
The Battle of Auray took place on 29 September 1364 at the French town of Auray. This battle was the decisive confrontation of the Breton War of Succession, a part of the Hundred Years' War....
(29 September 1364).