Biography of Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln 1170-1232
Paternal Family Tree: Gernon
Maternal Family Tree: Mathilde Unknown Countess Évreux 1120-1169
On 16 Dec 1153 [his grandfather] Ranulf Gernon 4th Earl Chester (age 54) died from poisoning by William "The Younger" Peverell (age 73). His son [his father] Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester (age 6) succeeded 5th Earl Chester. William "The Younger" Peverell (age 73) was exiled.
In 1169 [his father] Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester (age 22) and [his mother] Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester were married. She by marriage Countess Chester. She the daughter of Simon "Chauve" Montfort 4th Count Évreux (age 41) and Mathilde Unknown Countess Évreux (age 49). He the son of Ranulf Gernon 4th Earl Chester and Matilda Fitzrobert Countess Chester. He a great grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
In 1170 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln was born to Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester (age 23) and Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 20 Feb 1171 Conan "The Young" Penthièvre IV Duke Brittany (age 33) died. His daughter [his future wife] Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 10) succeeded Duchess Brittany, 3rd Countess Richmond.
On 30 Jun 1181 [his father] Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester (age 34) died at Leek, Staffordshire. His son Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 11) succeeded 6th Earl Chester.
In Jul 1181 Geoffrey Plantagenet 2nd Duke Brittany (age 22) and [his future wife] Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 20) were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany. He by marriage Duke Brittany. She the daughter of Conan "The Young" Penthièvre IV Duke Brittany and Margaret Dunkeld Duchess Brittany (age 36). He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 48) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 59). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
In 1188 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 18) and Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 27) were married. She by marriage Countess Chester. She the daughter of Conan "The Young" Penthièvre IV Duke Brittany and Margaret Dunkeld Duchess Brittany (age 43). He the son of Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester and Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester. They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
Before May 1189 [his step-daughter] Maud or Matilda Plantagenet (age 4) died.
Before 1200 Guy Thouars (age 60) and [his wife] Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 38) were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Conan "The Young" Penthièvre IV Duke Brittany and Margaret Dunkeld Duchess Brittany (age 54). She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 05 Sep 1201 [his wife] Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 40) died. Her son [his step-son] Arthur Plantagenet 3rd Duke Brittany (age 14) succeeded 3rd Duke Brittany, 4th Earl Richmond.
In 1203 [his former step-son] Arthur Plantagenet 3rd Duke Brittany (age 16) was murdered at Rouen, France [Map]. His half sister Alix Thouars Duchess of Brittany (age 1) succeeded 5th Countess Richmond. Her half-sister [his former step-daughter] Eleanor "Fair Maid of Britanny" 4th Countess of Richmond (age 19), who was imprisoned from 1202 to her death, also used the title Countess of Richmond.
On 15 Jun 1215 King John "Lackland" of England (age 48) met with his Baron's at Runnymede [Map] where he agreed to the terms of the Magna Carta which attempted to reduce the King's authority through political reform. Those who signed as surety included:
Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 71)
his son Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk (age 33)
[his former brother-in-law] Henry Bohun 1st Earl Hereford (age 39)
Richard Clare 3rd Earl Hertford (age 62)
his son Gilbert Clare 5th Earl Gloucester 4th Earl Hertford (age 35)
William "The Younger" Marshal 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 25)
William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk (age 42)
Saer Quincy 1st Earl Winchester (age 45)
Robert Ros (age 43), Richard Percy 5th Baron Percy Topcliffe (age 45)
Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford (age 50)
Eustace Vesci (age 46)
John Fitzrobert 3rd Baron Warkworth (age 25)
John Lacy Earl Lincoln (age 23).
William D'Aubigny (age 64), Geoffrey Mandeville 2nd Earl Essex (age 24)
William Forz 3rd Earl Albemarle aka Aumale
William Hardell Lord Mayor
William Huntingfield
William Llanvallei
William Malet 1st Baron Curry Mallet
Roger Montbegon, Richard Montfichet
Geoffrey Saye (age 60) signed as surety the Magna Carta.
Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 45) witnessed.
On 19 Oct 1216 King John "Lackland" of England (age 49) died at Newark Castle [Map]. His son King Henry III of England (age 9) succeeded III King England.
John Monmouth (age 34) was present.
On his deathbed, John appointed a council of thirteen executors to help Henry reclaim the kingdom and requested that his son be placed into the guardianship of William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke (age 70).
King John's will is the earliest English royal will to survive in its original form. The document is quite small, roughly the size of a postcard and the seals of those who were present at the time would have been attached to it. Translation of the will taken from an article by Professor S.D. Church in the English Historical Review, June 2010:
I, John, by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, count of Anjou, hindered by grave infirmity and not being able at this time of my infirmity to itemize all my things so that I may make a testament, commit the arbitration and administration of my testament to the trust and to the legitimate administration of my faithful men whose names are written below, without whose counsel, even in good health, I would have by no means arranged my testament in their presence, so that what they will faithfully arrange and determine concerning my things as much as in making satisfaction to God and to holy Church for damages and injuries done to them as in sending succour to the land of Jerusalem and in providing support to my sons towards obtaining and defending their inheritance and in making reward to those who have served us faithfully and in making distribution to the poor and to religious houses for the salvation of my soul, be right and sure. I ask, furthermore, that whoever shall give them counsel and assistance in the arranging of my testament shall receive the grace and favour of God. Whoever shall infringe their arrangement and disposition, may he incur the curse and indignation of almighty God and the blessed Mary and all the saints.
In the first place, therefore, I desire that my body be buried in the church of St Mary and St Wulfstan at Worcester. I appoint, moreover, the following arbiters and administrators: the lord Guala, by the grace of God, cardinal-priest of the title of St Martin and legate of the apostolic see; the lord Peter bishop of Winchester; the lord Richard bishop of Chichester; the lord Silvester bishop of Worcester; Brother Aimery de St-Maur; William Marshal earl of Pembroke; Ranulf earl of Chester; William earl Ferrers; William Brewer; Walter de Lacy and John of Monmouth; Savaric de Mauléon; Falkes de Bréauté.
The signatories were:
Guala Bicchieri (ca 1150 - 1227) Papal Legate.
Bishop Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester.
Richard le Poer (? - 1237), Bishop of Chichester.
Sylvester of Worcester, Bishop of Worcester.
Aimery de St-Maur (? -?1219), Master of the English Templars.
William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke (age 70).
Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 46).
William Ferrers 4th Earl of Derby (age 48).
William Brewer (? - 1226), 1st Baron Brewer.
Walter de Lacy (ca 1172-1241) Lord of Meath.
John: (1182 - 1248) Lord of Monmouth.
Savaric de Mauléon (? - 1236) Seneschal of Poitou from 1205.
Falkes de Bréauté (? - 1226) Seneschal of Cardiff Castle.
On 20 May 1217 William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke (age 71) and Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 47) fought at Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] during the Second Battle of Lincoln.
Rebels William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk (age 44) and William Ros (age 17) were captured. William D'Aubigny (age 66) fought for the rebels. Thomas Chateaudun I Count Perche (age 22) died fighting for the rebels.
Bishop Peter de Roches led a division of the royal army and earned some distinction by his valour.
On 23 May 1217 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 47) was created 1st Earl Lincoln.
Before 15 May 1218 Robert Marmion 3rd Baron Marmion (age 65) was killed in a fight with the forces of Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 48) at Scrivelsby. His son Robert Marmion 4th Baron Marmion (age 36) succeeded 4th Baron Marmion of Tamworth in Staffordshire Feudal.
Around 1220 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 50) commissioned Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire [Map].
Around 1220 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 50) commissioned Chartley Castle [Map].
Around 1220 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 50) commissioned Beeston Castle, Cheshire [Map].
In Apr 1231 [his sister] Hawise Gernon 2nd Countess Lincoln (age 51) succeeded 2nd Countess Lincoln. Robert Quincy Earl Lincoln by marriage Earl Lincoln. She was gifted the title by her childless brother Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 61) by agreement with King Henry III of England (age 23).
On 26 Oct 1232 Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 62) died at Wallingford Castle [Map]. His nephew John Dunkeld 9th Earl Huntingdon 7th Earl Chester (age 25) succeeded 7th Earl Chester.
Kings Wessex: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex
Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks
Kings France: Great x 5 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ranulf de Briquessart Gernon Viscount Bessin
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ranulf le Meschin Gernon 3rd Earl Chester
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thorstein Avranches Viscount Avranches
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Avranches Viscount Avranches
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Avranches
Great x 4 Grandfather: Herluin de Conteville Mortain
Great x 3 Grandmother: Emma Mortain Viscountess Avranches
Great x 4 Grandmother: Herleva Falaise
GrandFather: Ranulf Gernon 4th Earl Chester
Great x 1 Grandmother: Lucy Bolingbroke Countess Chester
Father: Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy
Great x 3 Grandfather: King William "Conqueror" I of England -2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Herleva Falaise
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Henry I "Beauclerc" England Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin "The Good" V Count Flanders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adela Capet Duchess Normandy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Normandy 1st Earl Gloucester Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandMother: Matilda Fitzrobert Countess Chester Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hamon Dentatus
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hamo Dapifer
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Fitzhamon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mabel Fitzhamon Countess Gloucester
Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Reginarids
Great x 3 Grandfather: Aumary Reginarids
Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon Montfort
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bertrade Unknown
Great x 1 Grandfather: Amaury Montfort Count Évreux
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Normandy Archbishop Rouen
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Normandy 2nd Count Évreux
Great x 4 Grandmother: Herleva Countess Évreux
Great x 2 Grandmother: Agnès of Normandy
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ramon Borrell Count of Barcelona
Great x 3 Grandmother: Adelaide or Godehildis Ramon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ermesinde of Carcassonne
GrandFather: Simon "Chauve" Montfort 4th Count Évreux
Mother: Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester
GrandMother: Mathilde Unknown Countess Évreux