Biography of William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury 1176-1226

Around 1176 William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury was born illegitimately to [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 42) and [his mother] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 20).

In 1176 Bishop Peter de Leia was appointed Bishop of St David's by [his father] King Henry II (age 42) despite the cathedral chapter preferring Gerald of Wales aka Cambrensis (age 29) aka Giraldus Cambrensis.

In 1177 Hugh Bigod 1st Earl Norfolk (age 82) died at Palestine. His son Roger (age 33) succeeded 2nd Earl Norfolk. [his mother] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 21) by marriage Countess Norfolk.

In February 1177 [his brother-in-law] William "Good" II King Sicily (age 22) and [his half-sister] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 11) were married. She by marriage Queen Sicily. She the daughter of [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 43) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 55). They were half sixth cousins.

Before 17th September 1177 [his brother-in-law] Alfonso VIII King Castile (age 21) and [his half-sister] Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 44) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 55). He the son of Sancho III King Castile and Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile. They were half fourth cousins.

In July 1181 [his half-brother] Geoffrey Plantagenet 2nd Duke Brittany (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] 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 [his father] 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.

Around December 1181 Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 37) and [his mother] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 25) were married. He the son of Hugh Bigod 1st Earl Norfolk and Juliana de Vere.

On 11th May 1183 Archbishop Walter de Coutances was elected Bishop of Lincoln being selected by [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 50) over three other candidates.

On 19th August 1186 [his half-brother] Geoffrey Plantagenet 2nd Duke Brittany (age 27) died at Paris [Map].

On 28th June 1189 [his half-sister] Matilda Plantagenet Duchess Saxony (age 33) died. She was buried at Brunswick Cathedral [Map].

On 29th August 1189 [his half-brother] King John of England (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Isabella Fitzrobert 3rd Countess Gloucester and Essex (age 16) were married at Marlborough Castle [Map]. He by marriage Earl Gloucester. See Gesta Regis Henrici and Gesta Regis Henrici by Benedict of Peterborough. She the daughter of William Fitzrobert 2nd Earl Gloucester and Hawise Beaumont Countess Gloucester. He the son of [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 67). They were half second cousins. She a great granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

In 1191 [his illegitimate half-brother] Archbishop Geoffrey Plantagenet (age 39) was appointed Archbishop of York.

In 1194 [his future brother-in-law] Raymond Rouerge Marquess Provence (age 37) succeeded Marquess Provence. [his half-sister] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 28) by marriage Marchioness Provence.

Chronicle of Roger de Hoveden. 30th March 1194. On the thirtieth day of March, a Wednesday, Richard, King of England, held the first day of his council at Nottingham. Present at this council were: Queen Eleanor (age 72), his mother, Hubert (age 34), Archbishop of Canterbury, who sat on the king's right, [his illegitimate half-brother] Geoffrey (age 42), Archbishop of York, who sat on the king's left, Hugh (age 69), Bishop of Durham, Hugh (age 54), Bishop of Lincoln, William, Bishop of Ely, the king's chancellor, William, Bishop of Hereford, Henry, Bishop of Worcester, Henry (age 46), Bishop of Exeter, John, Bishop of Whithorn (Candida Casa), Count David (age 42), brother of the King of Scotland, [his uncle] Hamelin (age 65), Earl of Warenne, Ranulf (age 24), Earl of Chester, William (age 26), Earl of Ferrers, William (age 18), Earl of Salisbury, Roger Bigod (age 50).

Tricesima die mensis Martii, feria quarta, Ricardus rex Angiiæ celebravit primum conciJii sui diem apud Notingliam; cui interfueiunt Alienor regina mater ejus, et Hubertus Cantuariensis arcbiepiscopus, qui in dextris regis sedebat in concilio illo, et Gaufridus Eboracensis arcbiepiscopus, qui a sinistris ejus sedebat, et Hugo Dunelmensis, et Hugo Lincolniensis, et Willelmus Eliensis regis cancellarius, et Willelmus Herefordensis, et Henriecus Wigornensis, et Henricus Exoniensis, et Johannes Candidæ Casæ episcopi; et comes David frater regis, Scotiæ, et Hamelinus comes de Warenna, et Ranulfus comes Cestriæ, et Willelmus comes de Ferreres, et Willelmus comes de Salesbiria, et Rogerus Bigot.

In 1196 William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 20) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 9) were married. He by marriage Earl Salisbury. She the daughter of William of Salisbury 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 46) and Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury (age 38). He the illegitmate son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 40). They were fifth cousin once removed.

In October 1196 [his brother-in-law] Raymond Rouerge Marquess Provence (age 39) and [his half-sister] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 31) were married at Rouen, France [Map]. She by marriage Countess Toulose. She the daughter of [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 74). He the son of Raymond Rouerge V Count Toulose and Constance Capet Countess Boulogne and Toulose. They were third cousin once removed.

On 4th September 1199 [his half-sister] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 33) died at Rouen, France [Map]. She was buried at Fontevraud Abbey [Map].

Around April 1200 [his half-brother] King John of England (age 33) and [his sister-in-law] Isabella Fitzrobert 3rd Countess Gloucester and Essex (age 27) marriage annulled due to consanuinity but more likely because John's new status as heir to the English throne mean't he had better prospects. He may have already decided to marry [his future sister-in-law] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England (age 12) who he married on 24th August 1200.

On 24th August 1200 [his half-brother] King John of England (age 33) and [his sister-in-law] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England (age 12) were married. She had been engaged to Hugh IX of Lusignan IV Count of La Marche (age 37) who subsequently appealed to King Philip II of France (age 35), their feudal overlord, who used the position to justify a war against John. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême (age 40) and Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême. He the son of [his father] King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 78). They were fourth cousin once removed.

Around December 1206 [his half-brother] Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk (age 24) and [his sister-in-law] Maud Marshal Countess Norfolk and Surrey (age 12) were married. She the daughter of William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke (age 60) and Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke (age 34). He the son of Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 62) and [his mother] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 50). They were third cousins.

Around 1207 [his daughter] Ida Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 31) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 20) at Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married (1) Ralph Somery, son of Ralph Somery 1st Baron Dudley and Margaret Gras Baroness Dudley (2) before 1220 William Beauchamp and had issue.

On 8th December 1207 [his son] William Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 31) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 20). He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married before 8th October 1240 Idoine Camville and had issue.

On 12th December 1212 [his illegitimate half-brother] Archbishop Geoffrey Plantagenet (age 60) died at Normandy [Map]. He was buried at Notre Dame du Parc, Rouen.

On 31st October 1214 [his half-sister] Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile (age 53) died at Burgos [Map]. She was buried at Abbey of Santa Maria la Real de Huelgas [Map].

On 13th September 1215 Henry de Loundres Archbishop of Dublin was appointed Dean of St Michael's Church, Penkridge [Map] by [his half-brother] King John of England (age 48). From that time until the recently the Archbishop of Dublin has always been Dean of St Michael's Church, Penkridge [Map].

Around 1216 [his son] Stephen Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 40) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 29) at Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married 1242 Emmeline Riddlesford and had issue.

Before 1220 [his son-in-law] William Beauchamp (age 34) and [his daughter] Ida Longespée (age 12) were married. The difference in their ages was 22 years. She the daughter of William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 43) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 32).

In 1221 Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 77) died. His son [his half-brother] Hugh (age 39) succeeded 3rd Earl Norfolk. [his sister-in-law] Maud Marshal Countess Norfolk and Surrey (age 27) by marriage Countess Norfolk.

Around 1222 [his daughter] Ida II Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 46) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 35) at Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married her fourth cousin once removed Walter Fitzrobert and had issue.

On 18th February 1225 [his half-brother] Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk (age 43) died. His son [his nephew] Roger (age 16) succeeded 4th Earl Norfolk.

In 1226 [his son-in-law] William Vesci and [his daughter] Isabella Longespée were married. She the daughter of William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 50) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 39). They were fifth cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 7th March 1226 [his mother] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 70) died at Framlingham, Suffolk [Map].

On 7th March 1226 William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 50) died at Old Sarum [Map]. Roger of Wendover in his Flowers of History writes that some accused Hubert de Burgh Count Mortain 1st Earl Kent (age 56) of having poisoned him.

Effigy at Salisbury Cathedral [Map].

Flowers of History by Roger of Wendover 1232. When people saw the king's regard for Hubert (age 61), whom he had once so particularly favoured, changed into hatred, many of his enemies rose against him and accused him of many enormous crimes. Some accused him of having caused the death of the two nobles, William earl of Salisbury and William Marshal earl of Pembroke, by poison, and that he had killed Falcasius and Richard archbishop of Canterbury by the same wicked means. The citizens of London laid a complaint before the king that the said Hubert had hung their fellow citizen Constantine unjustly, and without any trial, for which crime they demanded justice; the king therefore issued a proclamation throughout London, calling on all who had any complaint against Hubert, for any injury to them soever, to come to him when they should have justice done them. When Hubert heard of this, he fled in alarm to the church at Merton, where he concealed himself amongst the canons.

Effigy of William Longespee. WILLIAM Longespee was the bastard son of [his father] Henry the Second by the celebrated Rosamund de Clifford¹. His half-brother, [his half-brother] Richard the First, gave him in marriage Ela, daughter and inheritrix of William Earl of Salisbury. He bore a conspicuous part in the domestic divisions in the reign of [his half-brother] King John, whose general he was against the rebellious Barons in 1215, but in the following year went over to the party of Louis the son of the French king. On the death of John he abandoned the cause of Louis, did homage to the young [his nephew] King Henry the Third, and united with William Mareschal, the spirited Earl of Pembroke, then Regent, in raising the siege of Lincoln. In 1219 he was with other English noblemen at the siege of Damietta, which place was vigorously defended by the Saracens, and the capture of which cost the Christian forces very dear. In 1224 he went over into Gascony with [his nephew] Richard Earl of Cornwall, to subdue certain towns and castles to obedience to King Henry their Lord. Returning in the following year they were over-taken at sea by a violent tempest; after beating about for many nights and days they were carried far out of their course; and, giving themselves up for lost, committed all their treasure and rich garments to the deep. While they remained in darkness and despair, on a sudden the whole vessel was illuminated by the brilliant flame of a huge wax taper, which appeared on the prow, and by it a damsel of exceeding beauty, who protected the light with her garment from the force of the wind and rain. While the crew were lost in wonder at this miraculous nocturnal vision, the Earl of Salisbury proclaimed that their thanks were due to the Blessed Virgin for this merciful interposition, at whose shrine, on the day of his knighthood, he had offered a taper to be kept constantly burning on the daily celebration of the offices to her honour. The courage of the dispirited crew revived, and the following morning they made the Isle of Rhé, near Rochelle. Salisbury was speedily obliged to put to sea again, being informed of the design of the Lord of the place to make him prisoner. He braved the adverse elements for three months longer before he reached England. Such is the relation of Matthew Paris. His long absence gave occasion to a current report that he was lost at sea, and Hubert de Burgh, Justiciary of England, solicited to be allowed to match a kinsman of his, one Raymond, who had a claim to the Earldom of Salisbury, with his rich widow, but she, like another Penelope, rejected this suitor. At length the Earl landed unexpectedly in Cornwall, and demanded satisfaction of the King against Hubert, whose relative had assailed the honour of his wife. Hubert made submissive reparation by presents, but is reported to have taken the Earl off by poison, administered to him at a feast to which he had invited him in simulated reconciliation.

Note. William is now believed to be the son of [his mother] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk; a charter William made that mentions "Comitissa Ida, mater mea" (Countess Ida, my mother).

[his son] Bishop Nicholas Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[his daughter] Isabella Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married 1226 her fifth cousin once removed William Vesci.

[his daughter] Ela Longespee Countess Warwick was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married before 26th June 1242 her half third cousin once removed Thomas Beaumont 6th Earl Warwick, son of Henry Beaumont 5th Earl Warwick and Philipa Basset Countess Warwick.

Chronica Majora by Matthew Paris. About the same time, [his nephew] Earl Richard, the king's brother, Earl G. Marshal, John, earl of Chester and Lincoln, the earl of Salisbury [Note. Unclear as to who this is referring since the last Earl of Salisbury William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury died in 1226 and his wife Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury, de jure Earl of Salisbury, remained unmarried], G. de Lucy, his brother, Richard Seward, and many other nobles, assumed the cross. Earl Rchard at once ordered his woods to be cut down and sold, and endeavoured by all the means in his power to raise money to sustain his pilgrimage. Not long afterwards, by means of Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester, and (as was reported) Peter de Eivaulx, Richard Seward unjustly incurred the king's anger, and was taken and imprisoned; but was soon afterwards released with the same ease.

[his daughter] Pernel Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[his son] Richard Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[his daughter] Mary Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.