1297 Marriage of Princess Elizabeth and John of Holland
1349 Creation of Garter Knights
1350 Creation of Garter Knights
The most handsome and splendid man one could see anywhere in the world was the Earl of Northampton1 and of Gloucester. There too was the Earl of Warwick2, and the Earl of Salisbury, who was marshal of the host; with him were the Earl of Suffolk, the Baron of Stafford, Sir John, Viscount of Beaumont, and many other princes and banneret barons, and many more besides whose names I do not know. Yet one must not forget Sir Reginald of Cobham3, who was then and still is held to be the most valiant man of his country. Nor should I omit Sir Walter of Manny, who had performed so many deeds of arms and feats in Scotland and elsewhere that he had gained such favor with the king and with all the English, great and small, that the noble king had retained him in his most secret council and had granted and assigned him such great lands in England that he had become a banneret and maintained a greater estate than many bannerets who were there.
Le plus gent et le plus frique que on pouoit veoir ne trouver en nulle part du monde, ce fut le conte de Noireton et de Clocest; sy y estoit le conte de Warvich, le conte de Salbry, qui estoit mareschal de l'ost; et avecques luy fut le conte de Suffort, le baron de Staffort, messire Jehan, visconte de Beaumont, et pluseurs aultres princes et barons bannerès et plus que bannerès, et biacop d'aultres que je ne sçay nommer; mais on n'y doibt pas oublier messire Regnault de Cobaing, que on debvoit bien tenir pour le plus prœu de son pays adoncq, et encores fait on. Et sy n'y vueil pas oublier messire Watier de Manny, qui avoit tant fait d'armes et de proesses en Escoce et aultre part, que il avoit acquis si grand grace au roy et à tous les Anglois, grands et petis, que le noble roy l'avoit detenu de son plus secret conseil, et luy avoit donné et assigné si grande terre en Angleterre qu'il estoit devenus bannerès, et bien tenoit plus grand estat que bannerès qui là fust.
Note 1. William de Bohun, the younger son of Humphrey de Bohun and Elizabeth, daughter of Edward I of England, was created Earl of Northampton on 17 March 1337 (often dated 1336 in some reckonings, depending on the style of the year). He married Elizabeth de Badlesmere, widow of Edmund Mortimer, and died in September 1360. See concerning him Froissart, ed. Kervyn de Lettenhove, vol. XXII, pp. 293–295.
1. Guillaume de Bohun, fils puîné d'Humpbroi de Bohun et d'Élisabeth, fille d'Édouard III, roi d'Angleterre, fut créé comte de Northampton le 17 mars 1336. II épousa Élisabeth de Badlesmere, veuve d'Edmond de Mortimer, et mourut au mois de septembre 1360. Voy. sur lui Froissart, éd. Kervyn de Lettenhove, t. XXII, p. 293 à 295.
Note 2. Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, was the son of Guy de Beauchamp and Alice de Toeni. He married Katherine Mortimer, daughter of Roger Mortimer. He died of the plague on 13 November 1369. (Froissart, ed. Kervyn de Lettenhove, vol. XXIII, pp. 277–279.)
2. Thomas de Beauchamp, comte de Warwick, était fils de Gui, comte de Warwick, et d'Alice de Toény. Il avait épousé Catherine de Mortimer, fille de Roger de Mortimer. Il mourut de la peste le 13 novembre 1369. (Ibid., 1. X XIII, p. 277 à 279.)
Note 3. Reginald de Cobham was the son of John de Cobham and Joan Neville. He married Joan, daughter of Maurice de Berkeley. He died on 5 October 1361. (Froissart, ed. Kervyn de Lettenhove, vol. XXI, pp. 20–22.)
3. Renaud de Cobham était fils de Jean Cobham et de Jeanne Nevill. Il avait épousé Jeanne, fille de Maurice de Berkeley. II mourut le 5 octobre 1361. (Froissart, éd. Kervyn de Lettenhove, t. XXI, p. 20 à 22.)
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On 8th January 1297 John Gerulfing I Count Holland and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland were married at Ipswich, Suffolk. She by marriage Countess Holland. The wedding was attended by her sister [his aunt] Margaret Plantagenet Duchess Brabant, her father [his grandfather] King Edward I, her brother [his uncle] Edward and her future second husband Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex. She the daughter of King Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England. He the son of Floris Gerulfing V Count Holland and Beatrix Dampierre.
On 14th November 1302 [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland were married. She by marriage Countess Essex, Countess Hereford. Westminster Abbey. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Edward I of England and [his grandmother] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England. He the son of Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex and Maud Fiennes Countess Essex and Hereford.
On 6th December 1309 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton was born to [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland at Caldicot Castle.
On 5th May 1316 [his sister] Isabel Bohun was born to [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland. His mother Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland died in childbirth. She was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey.
On 27th June 1316 Edmund Mortimer and [his future wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton were married at Kinlet, Cleobury Mortimer. He the son of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville.
On 16th March 1322 the rebel army led by Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln attempted to cross the bridge over the River Ure (between Ripon and York) at Boroughbridge Bridge. Their path was blocked by forces loyal to the King led by Andrew Harclay 1st Earl Carlisle. Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere, Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March, John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort and John Maltravers 1st Baron Maltravers fought for the rebels. Roger Clifford 2nd Baron Clifford, Nicholas Longford, Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln, John Mowbray 2nd Baron Mowbray were captured.
Warin Lisle was hanged after the battle at Pontefract.
Following the battle Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester and his wife Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester were both imprisoned. He in Nottingham Castle and she in Sempringham Priory.
John Clinton 2nd Baron Clinton, Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke, William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby, Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle, Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar and Peter Saltmarsh fought for the King.
Adam Everingham 1st Baron Everingham of Laxton was captured.
[his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex was killed. [his brother] John Bohun 5th Earl Hereford 4th Earl Essex succeeded 5th Earl Hereford, 4th Earl Essex.
Piers Grandison 2nd Baron Grandison fough for the rebels, and was captured.
Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley surrendered before the battle and was imprisoned in Wallingford Castle for the rest of his life
John Giffard 2nd Baron Giffard Brimpsfield was captured.
Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March was imprisoned at Tower of London.
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In 1325 [his brother] John Bohun 5th Earl Hereford 4th Earl Essex and [his sister-in-law] Alice Fitzalan Countess Essex and Hereford were married. She by marriage Countess Essex, Countess Hereford. She the daughter of Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel and Alice Warenne Countess Arundel. He the son of [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland.
After 1325 [his brother] John Bohun 5th Earl Hereford 4th Earl Essex and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Basset Countess Essex and Hereford were married. She by marriage Countess Essex, Countess Hereford. He the son of [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland.
On 11th August 1325 [his brother-in-law] Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon and [his sister] Margaret Bohun Countess Devon were married. She the daughter of [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland. He the son of Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon and Agnes St John Countess Devon.
In 1327 [his brother-in-law] James Butler 1st Earl Ormonde and [his sister] Eleanor Bohun Countess Ormonde were married. She the daughter of [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland. He the son of Edmund Butler 1st Earl Carrick.
In 1328 [his brother-in-law] James Butler 1st Earl Ormonde was created 1st Earl Ormonde. [his sister] Eleanor Bohun Countess Ormonde by marriage Countess Ormonde.
On 19th October 1330 John Neville 1299-1335, William Eland, William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton, William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury, friends of King Edward III of England secretly entered Nottingham Castle through tunnels, met with King Edward III of England, and arrested Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March and his son Geoffrey Mortimer in the presence of Isabella of France Queen Consort England.
In 1335 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton were married. He the son of Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland.
In 1336 John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford and [his sister-in-law] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford.
On 20th January 1336 [his brother] John Bohun 5th Earl Hereford 4th Earl Essex died. Humphrey Bohun 6th Earl Hereford 5th Earl Essex succeeded 6th Earl Hereford, 5th Earl Essex.
In January 1337 King Edward III of England created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France...
William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury by marriage Countess Salisbury.
William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton was created 1st Earl of Northampton. [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford.
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 7th June 1338 [his brother-in-law] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere died. Baron Badlesmere abeyant between his sisters [his sister-in-law] Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley, Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford, Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton and Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot.
Calendar Inquitisitions Port Mortem Volume 8 Edward III 185. 185. [his brother-in-law] Giles De Badelesmere, Knight.
Writ to Henry Darcy, mayor of the city of London, and king's escheator there, 16 July [1338], 12 Edward III.
London.
Inq. Friday before St. Bartholomew, 12 Edward III.
Alegate. A tenement, 17 shops, and a garden adjacent, within Alegate, worth when let 9l.; out of which there are paid yearly to the lords of that fee for quit rent, 56s. 4d., and for repairs, 40s.
Lymstret lane. A tenement and a garden, worth 40s., out of which are paid yearly for repair of houses and walls and for enclosing of the said tenement and garden, 20s.
All held of the king in chief, as the whole of the city of London is.
[his sister-in-law] Margery the wife of Sir William de Ros, Maud the wife of the earl of Oxford, Elizabeth the wife of the earl of Northampton, and Margery (sic) the wife of Sir John Tipetoft, are his sisters and co-heirs, and of full age.
John Tiptoft 2nd Baron Tibetot.
Continues.
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On 24th June 1340 King Edward III of England attacked the French fleet at anchor during the Battle of Sluys capturing more than 200 ships, killing around 18000 French. The English force included John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick, William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton, Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham, William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby, John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle, Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford, Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster, Walter Manny 1st Baron Manny, Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer and Richard Pembridge.
Thomas Monthermer 2nd Baron Monthermer died from wounds. Margaret Monthermer Baroness Montagu 3rd Baroness Monthermer succeeded 3rd Baroness Monthermer.
On 23rd December 1340 Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon died. [his brother-in-law] Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon succeeded 2nd Earl Devon, 5th Baron Okehampton, 2nd Baron Courtenay. [his sister] Margaret Bohun Countess Devon by marriage Countess Devon.
On 25th March 1341 [his son] Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton was born to William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. He married Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton, daughter of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey, and had issue.
On 30th September 1342 the French army attacked the English besiegers of Morlaix forcing the English to retreat to the nearby woods. William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton commanded, John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford and Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer fought.
In 1343 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Dagworth 1st Baron Dagworth and [his sister] Eleanor Bohun Countess Ormonde were married. The difference in their ages was 28 years. She the daughter of [his father] Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland.
On 26th August 1346 the army of King Edward III of England defeated the French army at the Battle of Crécy. The English army was commanded by King Edward III of England, his son Edward "Black Prince", Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick, William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick.
The English army was included: Bishop Thomas of Hatfield, Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Bernard Brocas, Thomas Felton, James Audley, Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier, Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh, Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh, Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham, John Darcy 1st Baron Darcy of Knayth, Robert Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley, Richard Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton, William Scrope, Stephen Scrope, William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby, John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle, Gerard Lisle 1st Baron Lisle, Nicholas Longford, Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh, Michael Poynings 1st Baron Poynings, Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk, John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford, Thomas West, John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby, John Wingfield, Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy, [his brother-in-law] Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (possibly), Walter "Elder" Devereux, John Devereux, Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos, Richard Pembridge and John Sully.
The French army suffered significant casualties. King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France was wounded. William de Coucy and his son Enguerrand 6th Lord de Coucy and were killed.
Charles II Count Alençon was killed. Charles Valois Archbishop of Lyons succeeded Count Alençon.
Louis Chatillon II Count Blois I Count Chatillon was killed. Louis Chatillon III Count Blois Count Soissons succeeded III Count Blois.
Louis Dampierre II Count Nevers I Count Flanders was killed. Louis of Male III Count Nevers II Count Flanders succeeded III Count Nevers, II Count Flanders.
King John I of Bohemia was killed. Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg succeeded IV King Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg. Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg.
Rudolph "Valiant" Metz I Duke Lorraine was killed. John Metz I Duke Lorraine succeeded I Duke Lorraine.
Jean IV de Harcourt was killed.
After 20th June 1347 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Dagworth 1st Baron Dagworth was created 1st Baron Dagworth. [his sister] Eleanor Bohun Countess Ormonde by marriage Baroness Dagworth.
On 25th June 1347 a English fleet commanded by William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke defeated a French fleet that was intending to re-supply the besiege Calais precipitating the surrender of Calais two months later.
Murimuth and Avesbury. Very dear sir, you should know that on the day [25th June 1347] after Saint John's Day the wind, which had been from the west, turned toward the east at the hour of tierce. Because of this the earls of Northampton and Pembroke, and the lords Morley, Talbot, and Bradeston, together with the two admirals and a great number of archers from their retinues and from the commons, boarded their ships and sailed toward Boulogne and Crotoy in order to observe the enemies who had arranged to provision Calais. Thus, they encountered, on this side of Crotoy about the hour of vespers, the said enemies, who were counted within sight of our men as forty-four vessels: hulks, galleys, and victualling ships loaded with various supplies. Some of those enemies who were at the rear threw their provisions into the sea and swam toward England, while others made for the port of Crotoy. The ten galleys abandoned their boats and their cargo and put out to the high sea. One hulk and twelve victualling ships which were ahead were so vigorously pursued that they ran as close to the shore as they could, and all the men leapt into the sea and drowned so completely that not a single person remained alive in their vessels. But on the following night, at daybreak, two boats came out of the town into the open sea, and they were quickly noticed by a mariner named William Roke together with a man called Stephen Hikeman. One of the boats returned to the town with great difficulty, but the other was driven ashore. In that boat was captured a great master who was the commander of the Genoese galleys and the leader of the Genoese who are inside the town, and with him seventeen others of the same company and about forty letters. But the said commander, before he was taken, tied with an axe a letter which carried an important message and threw it into the sea. That letter and the axe were found on the shore when the sea had receded, of which you will find a copy enclosed within this. And what I have already sent you concerning this matter before this hour, know that it is true, for I heard it from a knight who was within the ships."
"Tres chier sire, voilletz savoir qe lendemain de seint; Johan le vent, qestoit vers le west, se tourna vers lorient a houre de tiercz, si qe lez countes de Northamtone et Penbrok et les seignurs de Morleye, Talbot, Bradston, et lez IJ amirals, od graunt foison darchiers de lor retenances et des comunes, qe entrerent noz niefs et siglerent vers Buloigne et Croteye, pur visiter lez enemys qount ordeigne de vitaller Caleys, si qils encountrerent decea Croteye environ heure de vespre lez dits enemys, qe fusrent acountez deinz la veue de noz gentz XLIIIJ vesseaux: des fluynes, galeyes, et vitaillers, chargetz des diverses vitailles. Dez queux enemys ascuns qestoient a derere dischargeront lor vitailles par meer et nagierent devers Engleterre, ascuns devers le porte de Oroteye. Lez X galeyes qe fusront gueperount lour bateux et lour charge, se mistrent al haut meer. Et un fluyne et XIJ vitaillers od lor vitailles qe fasront devaunt fusrent si fortement pursuiz qils se mistrent si pres de terre come ils poount, et saillerent trestoutz en meer et neierent si purement qe une soul persone ne remient en vie deinz lor vesseaux. Mais la nuyt suant, en laube de jour, al haut meer isserent hors de la ville IJ bateaux, qe fusrent bien tost aparceux par un mariner gest appelle William Roke, od une Hikeman Stephene, si ge lun batel retourna en la ville od graunt paine et lautre estoit chace a terre. En quele bateux estoit pris un grant maistre, qestoit patroun des galeyes de Gene et maistre de Geneuoys qe sount dedeinz la ville, et ovesqe luy XVIJ de mesmes lez persones et bien XL lettres. Mais le dit patroun, devaunt qil estoit pris, la a une hache une lettre ge portoit graunt charge, et le getta en meer; geles lettre et hache estoient treovetz a la retret de la meer, de qi vous troueretz a cople enclose dedeinz ceste. Et qoi jeo vous aay maunde devaunt ceste heure touchant ceste matiere, sachietz qe ceo est verite; car jeo lay oye dun chivaler ge fust dedeintz lez niefs."
In 1348 [his step-son] Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March was restored 4th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.
In 1349 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton was appointed High Sheriff of Rutlandshire.
In 23rd April 1349 King Edward III of England created new Garter Knights:
26th William Fitzwarin. The date may be earlier.
27th. Robert Ufford.
28th William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton.
In 1350 [his daughter] Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey was born to William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. She married Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel, son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey, and had issue.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. In this year,1 on the feast day of Saint George [23rd April 1350], the king held a great banquet at Windsor Castle, where he established a chantry of twelve priests, and founded a hospital, in which impoverished knights, whose means were insufficient, could, in the service of the Lord, receive suitable support from the perpetual alms of the founders of that college. Besides the king, other nobles contributed to the foundation of this hospital, namely: the king's eldest son, the Earl of Northampton, the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Suffolk, the Earl of Salisbury, and other barons. Also included were simple knights, such as: [his step-son] Roger de Mortimer, now Earl of March, Lord Walter de Mauny, Lord William FitzWarin, John de Lisle, John de Mohun, John de Beauchamp, Walter de Pavely, Thomas Wale and Hugh de Wrottesley. Men whose proven virtue ranked them among the wealthiest earls. Together with the king, all these men were clothed in robes of powdered russet, with garters of Indian colour, also wearing garters on their right legs, and mantles of blue, adorned with the shield of Saint George. In such attire, bareheaded, they devoutly attended a solemn Mass, sung by the bishops of Canterbury, Winchester, and Exeter. They then sat together at a common table, in honour of the holy martyr, to whom they dedicated this noble brotherhood, calling their company "The Knights of Saint George of the Garter."
Isto anno, in die sancti Georgii, rex celebravit grande convivium apud Wyndesore in castro, ubi instituit cantariam xij. sacerdotum, et fundavit zenodochium, in quo milites depauperati, quibus sua non sufficerent, possent in Domini servitute de perpetuis elemosinis fundatorum illius collegii sustentacionem competentem habere. Preter regem fuerunt alii compromittentes in fundacionem istius zenodochii, scilicet regis primogenitus, comes Norhamptonie, comes Warewici, comes Suthfolchie, comes Salisbiriensis, et alii barones; simplices quoque milites, scilicet Rogerus de Mortuo mari, nunc comes Marchie, dominus Walterus de Magne, dominus Willelmus filius Garini, Iohannes de Insula, Iohannes de Mohun, Iohannes de Bealchampe, Walterus de Pavely, Thomas Wale, et Hughe de Wrotesley, quos probitas experta ditissimis comitibus associavit. Una cum rege fuerunt omnes isti vestiti togis de russeto pulverizato cum garteriis Indie coloris, habentes eciam tales garterias in tibiis dextris, et mantella de blueto cum scutulis armorum sancti Georgii. Tali apparatu nudi capita audierunt devote missam celebrem per antistites Cantuariensem, Wintoniensem, et Exoniensem decantatam, et conformiter sederunt in mensa communi ob honourem sancti martiris, cui tam nobilem fraternitatem specialiter intitularunt, appellantes istorum comitivam sancti Georgii de la gartiere.
Note 1. Stow Annales 390: "This yeere, on Saint Georges day [23rd April 1350], the king held a great and solemne feast at his castle of Windsor, where he had augmented the chappel which Henry the first and other his progenitors, kings of England, had before erected, of eight chanons. He added to those eight chanons a deane and fifteene chanons more, and 24 poore and impotent knights, with other ministers and servants, as appeareth in his charter dated the two and twentieth of his reigne. Besides the king, there were other also that were contributors to the foundation of this colledge, as followeth: i. The sovereigne king Edward the third, 2. Edward, his eldest sonne, prince of Wales, 3. Henry, duke of Lancaster, 4. the earle of Warwicke, 5. Captaine de Bouch, 6. Ralph, earle of Stafford, 7. William Montacute, earle of Salisburie, 8. Roger, lorde Mortimer, earle of March, 9. sir John de Lisle, 10. sir .
It will be seen that Stow here alters the names to tally with the list of the original knights or First Founders of the order of the Garter. Baker seems to be anticipating. William Bohun, 1st earl of Northampton, and Robert Ufford, 1st earl of Suffolk, and sir William Fitz-Warine became knights of the order at an early date; but Roger Mortimer, here styled 'now Earl of March,' did not have that title before 1352, and sir Walter Manny did not receive the garter till the end of 1359.
The date of the foundation of the order of the Garter has never been exactly determined. Froissart 203.
The Brute chronicle (Egerton MS. 650) has this description, although under a wrong year: "And in the XIX yere of his regne, anone aftre, in Jannuere, before Lenten, the same kyng Edward lete make fulle noble iustice and grete festes in the place of hys byrth, at Wyndsore, that ther were never none suche seyne before that tyme, ne I trowe sythene. At whech iustice, festis and ryalte weryn II kinges, II quenys, and the prince of Wales and the duke of Cornewale, ten erles, nine countesse, many barons, knyghttes, and worthy burgesse, the whech myght not lyghtly be nombrede; and also of dyverse londes as byyonde the see were many strangers. And at that tyme, whene the iustes had done, the kyng Edward made a grete souper, in the wheche he begone fyrst hys round table, and ordayned stedfastly the day of the forsayd table to be holde ther at Wyndessore in the Whytesonwyke evermore yerely."
Relying on the date given in the statutes of the order and on this passage in Baker, writers on the subject have adopted 1349 or 1350 as the year of foundation. But an entry in the household-book of the Black Prince affords a reason for dating the event a year earlier, payment having been made on the 18th November 1348, for twenty-four garters which were given by the prince "militibus de societate garterias" i.e. "garters [were given] to the knights of the society"; Beltz, Memorials of the Order of the Garter, pp. XXXII, 385. Proof however is not conclusive, as the ministers' accounts in the household-book were rendered between 1352 and 1365, and there is therefore room for error; moreover, the garters in question may have been prepared in anticipation. The date of 1349, which is given in the preamble to the earliest copies of the statutes, although it is true that those copies are not contemporary, is not to be lightly set aside. It is, indeed, most probable that the order was never solemnly instituted at an early period, but that it was gradually taking shape during the years following the foundation of the Round Table. Edward's patent, bearing date of 22nd August 1348, whereby he instituted a chapel at Windsor, with a fraternity of eight secular canons and a warden, fifteen other canons, and four-and-twenty poor knights, appears to be the first formal document which can be quoted as a foundation-deed of the order. After this there is no direct reference to it until 1350, when robes were issued for the King against the coming Feast of St. George, together with a Garter containing the King's motto, "Hony soyt qui mal y pense!" Nicolas, History of Orders of Knighthood, 1.24.
Before 1352 [his step-son] Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March and Philippa Montagu Countess March were married. She by marriage Countess March. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury. He the son of Edmund Mortimer and [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton.
In 1354 [his step-son] Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March was restored 2nd Earl March
On 18th June 1356 [his wife] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton died at Blackfriars Church Holborn.
In September 1359, a case of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings, siblings from the de Bohun family, children of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton, his only children, and the Fitzalan family, children of , were married:
[his son-in-law] Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel and Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey were married. She the daughter of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. He the son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey.
Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton and Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton were married. She the daughter of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey. He the son of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton.
On 13th April 1360 a freak weather event known as Black Monday Hailstorm occurred as the army of King Edward III of England were camped outside Chartres. Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick, William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton, Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster, Edward "Black Prince" and Walter Mauny were present. Around one thousand English were killed, with up to six thousand horses. King Edward III of England believed the event to be an Act of God and proceeded to negotiate with the French resulting in the Treaty of Brétigny.
On 28th April 1360 Guy Beauchamp died from injuries received during the Black Monday Hailstorm.
On 16th September 1360 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton died. He was buried either in the Courtenay Chantry Chapel at Exeter Cathedral or at Waldon Priory and Abbey. [his son] Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton succeeded 2nd Earl of Northampton. [his daughter-in-law] Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Around 1400. Window in the Chicheley Chapel at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole from the late 14th early 15th Century depicting alliances of the Ufford family (who are thought to have owned the manor of Wimpole before the Chicheleys) and the Plantagenets through the marriage of Ralph Ufford and Maud Plantagenet Countess Ulster, daughter of Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster .
From top to bottom, left to right:
Tiptoft Arms. The Tiptoft family owned the nearby manor of Harleston.
Avenell Arms. The Avenell family once held a manor in Wimpole.
Telemache Arms.
Ufford Arms. Believed to be the arms of William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk. Note the difference of an annulet argent (white) in the top left corner.
Bohun Arms. Possibly William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton.
Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster 1281 1345 Arms. Possibly Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster although the label doesn't appear to have the fleur de lys of France.
Bassingbourne Arms.
Engaine Arms. John de Engaine lived in Huntingdonshire.
Lisle Arms. Possibly Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle. Robert settled at nearby Rampton.
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk who married Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk whose father Walter Norwich owned the manor of Cobbs in Wimpole.
Ufford Arms with a label three points. Believed to be Robert Ufford who predeceased his father Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk.
Bassingbourne Arms.
The figure in the middle is believed to represent William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk.
From an original description by James C Powell 1903.
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Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. In the year of our Lord 1343, the 18th year of King Edward of England, the king sent military aid1 to John de Montfort, Duke of Brittany. His wife and children were in the king's custody, signalling the strength of their alliance. A notable English force was dispatched to assist Montfort, including: Earl of Northampton, Earl of Oxford, Hugh Despenser, Richard Talbot, knight, William Kyllesby, cleric, Each was placed in command of significant numbers of troops and archers.
Anno Domini MCCCXLIIIJ, regis Anglie XVIIJ, in auxilium domini Johannis de Monte forte, ducis Britannie, cuius uxor et filii in custodia regis manserunt, fuerunt missi comes Norhamptonie et comes Oxonie, dominus Hugo Despenser, dominus Ricardus Talebot, milites, et dominus Willelmus Kyllesby, clericus, singulis prefectis magnis copiis armatorum et sagittariorum.
Note 1. Stow Annales 374.
It is somewhat remarkable that this is the only event that Baker notices in the campaign in Brittany of 1342. But it is quite evident that he has received special knowledge regarding the battle from someone who had been present. Murimuth also obtained detailed information of the earl of Northampton's movements from the latter's despatches, and appears to have written an account of them and to have inserted it in his chronicle (Murimuth 126, 127.
Northampton was appointed the king's lieutenant and captain in Brittany on the 20th July 1342 (Rymer's Fœdera 2.1205). According to Murimuth 125.
He relieved Brest; marched on Morlaix, which he unsuccessfully assaulted; and fought and defeated Charles of Blois on the 30th September. Morice, History de Bretagne (1750), 1.260.
The English, who were under supreme command of Robert of Artois, adopted Bruce's tactics at Bannockburn in digging concealed trenches on their front, into which the French fell and suffered great slaughter. Charles of Blois, however, was not so badly beaten but that he could afterwards blockade the English, who only escaped with difficulty.
Of Northampton's companions here named: John de Vere, who succeeded his uncle as earl of Oxford in April 1331, was born in 1313, served in the French wars, being one of the chief commanders both at Crecy and at Poitiers, and died on the 24th January 1360; Hugh Despenser, son of the younger Despenser who was executed in 1326, was summoned to parliament in 1338, and died in 1349; Richard Talbot was also a baron by writ in 1331, and died in 1356; William Kildesby, the king's clerk and keeper of the privy seal, was archbishop elect of York in 1340, but was set aside in favour of William de la Zouch.
