Ranulf I de Soules
Encyclopedia
Ranulf de Soulis was a Norman
knight
who came to Scotland with David I
and served as his cupbearer.
at Soules, the family's seigneurie near Saint-Lô
. He was one of the group of young Normans whom David David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon gathered around him from Henry I of England
's area of influence in northern France; he was therefore likely of a similar age to David. As David's tenant, Ranulf held Great Doddington
on the former's Honour of Huntingdon. His ties to Great Doddington are confirmed when, as a settler in Scotland, he later granted the Church of Great Doddington,(Ecclesiam de Dodintona juxta Bertonam) to Jedburgh Abbey
.
He apparently accompanied David to Cumbria around 1112 when the latter was essentially governor or titular earl of that region under England's King Henry and was encouraged by David to build Liddel Castle in Liddesdale to control that unruly area. According to Tranter, in one of his historical novels, Ranulf was with David at the Battle of the Standard
in 1138. Ranulf de Soulis built Liddel Castle, a motte and bailey structure, at the junction of the Liddel
and Esk
rivers. This castle, the earthworks of which remain, therefore was probably built around 1115–1118, although apparently the first written mention of it was in an 1165 charter that William the Lion granted to the Canons
of Jedburgh Abbey
. It is not to be confused with nearby Hermitage Castle
, a later structure, or with Liddel Strength that was built in the same region, but just within England, by Turgot de Rossedale, from a Yorkshire family.
, the first person in the Norman tradition to hold that office in Scotland; after David's death he was cupbearer to Malcolm IV
and later to William the Lion
in the early part of his reign. The cupbearer (pincerna or butler) was not a major official at court, but it and other similar appointments gave their possessors influence at court and in affairs of state beyond the duties implied by their titles. Essentially, they became confidants and advisors to the King. The court was highly mobile in these times and court officials, such as the cupbearer, would often accompany the King on his excursions. Ranulf de Soulis witnessed a number of David's, and later Malcolm IV's and William's charters.
by his nephew, who was also named Ranulf and who was the son of his brother, William.
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...
knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
who came to Scotland with David I
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
and served as his cupbearer.
Early life
Ranulf was probably born in the Cotentin PeninsulaCotentin Peninsula
The Cotentin Peninsula, also known as the Cherbourg Peninsula, is a peninsula in Normandy, forming part of the north-western coast of France. It juts out north-westwards into the English Channel, towards Great Britain...
at Soules, the family's seigneurie near Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
. He was one of the group of young Normans whom David David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon gathered around him from 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...
's area of influence in northern France; he was therefore likely of a similar age to David. As David's tenant, Ranulf held Great Doddington
Great Doddington
Great Doddington is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire in the United Kingdom, close to Wellingborough and just off the A45. At the time of the 2001 census, the parish's population was 1,061 people....
on the former's Honour of Huntingdon. His ties to Great Doddington are confirmed when, as a settler in Scotland, he later granted the Church of Great Doddington,(Ecclesiam de Dodintona juxta Bertonam) to Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey, a ruined Augustinian abbey which was founded in the 12th century is situated in the town of Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders just north of the border with England at Carter Bar...
.
He apparently accompanied David to Cumbria around 1112 when the latter was essentially governor or titular earl of that region under England's King Henry and was encouraged by David to build Liddel Castle in Liddesdale to control that unruly area. According to Tranter, in one of his historical novels, Ranulf was with David at the Battle of the Standard
Battle of the Standard
The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, in which English forces repelled a Scottish army, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire. The Scottish forces were led by King David I of Scotland...
in 1138. Ranulf de Soulis built Liddel Castle, a motte and bailey structure, at the junction of the Liddel
Liddel Water
Liddel Water is a river running through southern Scotland and northern England, for much of its course forming the border between the two countries, and was formerly one of the boundaries of the Debatable Lands....
and Esk
River Esk, Dumfries and Galloway
The River Esk is a river in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, that flows into the Solway Firth. It also flows for a small way through the English county of Cumbria before entering the Solway....
rivers. This castle, the earthworks of which remain, therefore was probably built around 1115–1118, although apparently the first written mention of it was in an 1165 charter that William the Lion granted to the Canons
Abbot of Jedburgh
The Abbot of Jedburgh was the head of the Augustinian canons of Jedburgh Abbey, Roxburghshire. It was founded by King David I of Scotland in 1138, and David's grandson and successor Máel Coluim IV ensured its promotion to the status of abbey before 1156...
of Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey, a ruined Augustinian abbey which was founded in the 12th century is situated in the town of Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders just north of the border with England at Carter Bar...
. It is not to be confused with nearby Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined castle in the border region of Scotland. It is under the care of Historic Scotland. The Castle has a reputation, both from its history and its appearance, as one of the most sinister and atmospheric in Scotland....
, a later structure, or with Liddel Strength that was built in the same region, but just within England, by Turgot de Rossedale, from a Yorkshire family.
Cupbearer
David appointed him as his Cup-bearerButler of Scotland
The office of Butler of Scotland , was a court position in the Kingdom of Scotland during the High Middle Ages.-Office holders:* Ranulf I de Soules* William II de Haya* William II de Soules-Sources:...
, the first person in the Norman tradition to hold that office in Scotland; after David's death he was cupbearer to Malcolm IV
Malcolm IV of Scotland
Malcolm IV , nicknamed Virgo, "the Maiden" , King of Scots, was the eldest son of Earl Henry and Ada de Warenne...
and later to William the Lion
William I of Scotland
William the Lion , sometimes styled William I, also known by the nickname Garbh, "the Rough", reigned as King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214...
in the early part of his reign. The cupbearer (pincerna or butler) was not a major official at court, but it and other similar appointments gave their possessors influence at court and in affairs of state beyond the duties implied by their titles. Essentially, they became confidants and advisors to the King. The court was highly mobile in these times and court officials, such as the cupbearer, would often accompany the King on his excursions. Ranulf de Soulis witnessed a number of David's, and later Malcolm IV's and William's charters.
Legacy
According to Laurie, Ranulf died shortly before 1170. He was succeeded as Lord of LiddesdaleLord of Liddesdale
The Lord of Liddesdale was a magnate in medieval Scotland; the territorial lordship of Liddesdale was first created by David I of Scotland, perhaps between 1113 and 1124 when the latter was Prince of the Cumbrians. He gave it over to Ranulf de Sules, a knight from the Cotentin Peninsula...
by his nephew, who was also named Ranulf and who was the son of his brother, William.