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Contact: [email protected] THE DE LACY CONSTABLES OF CHESTER AND EARLS OF LINCOLN: THE TRANSFORMATION OF AN HONOUR (1190-1311) by Andrew David Connell Canterbury Christ Church University Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2018 i ii Abstract This thesis examines the lives, careers and fortunes of the de Lacy constables of Chester and earls of Lincoln, Roger, John, Edmund and Henry de Lacy, between 1190 and 1311, and sheds light on a family who have been relatively neglected within existing scholarship. This thesis charts the family’s rise from local baronial magnates to comital status with two earldoms, and their position as one of the richest tenants-in-chief of the crown. This study establishes how the family, as a whole, was able to take advantage of the opportunities arising over four generations, one hundred and twenty one years and the reigns of five kings, to develop and maintain its lordship. The thesis explores the mechanisms they used and were able to take advantage of, during such a vibrant period of history, which included tumultuous civil wars and dynamic political change. It examines in detail the political careers of each of the de Lacy constables in turn and explores their relationships with royal government and the affect of Magna Carta and Plantagenet rule on this family. It then explores the development of the de Lacy family’s honorial estates through each generation and the strategies they employed to expand their dominions. It also discusses the family’s patronage and the evolution of their various associations with religious communities and how this compared to contemporary trends. The examination of the de Lacy affinities, in particular, is the first to explore their composition and development across four generations of this family, identifying the men who were in their service and the transition from a baronial to comital following. This study of the de Lacy constables therefore sheds new light on the development of baronial families and the transformation of their honours during this period of history. i ii Acknowledgments This thesis would not have been possible without a three year studentship from the Graduate School at Canterbury Christ Church University. I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Louise Wilkinson. Her extensive knowledge and familiarity with this period in history has proved invaluable and her guidance, advice and suggestions have been greatly appreciated. In particular, her support, patience, understanding and constant encouragement have been of extreme value during the time it has taken to reach this point. I would also like to thank the other members of my supervisory panel, Dr Lesley Hardy and Professor Thomas Hennessey. Their perspectives, advice and support during my work have been exceptionally helpful. I have been privileged to have met and worked with numerous other exceptional medievalists in the wider academic community during my studies and my thanks, in particular, go to my colleagues Rodulph Billaud, Harriet Kersey and Abby Armstrong. Your friendship support and encouragement have helped me (and my sanity) so much and I am forever grateful. My thanks also go to the staff at Canterbury Christ Church University, in particular the Graduate School, Library and School of Humanities who have assisted me on countless occasions. The staff at the National Archives who were so helpful during my numerous research trips to examine original manuscripts. Also the staff at the archives of Canterbury Cathedral, Beverley, Bradford, Chester, Denbigh, Lancashire, Leeds University, Lincoln, Nottingham, Wakefield and West Yorkshire, who all assisted in the research of material for this thesis. I would also particularly like to thank Professor David Crouch and the Comital Acta Project at Hull University. Professor Crouch was immensely kind with his time and office space so that I could examine the de Lacy charters in his collection. This was truly invaluable and I am extremely appreciative. I would like to thank my family. First my father - I could not have done this without you. Finally, to my wife, and my son (who we welcomed into the world during this journey), your love, encouragement and unwavering support has meant so much to me over the past few years and in particular through the completion of this thesis. I love you, you are my everything and this is for you. iii iv Abbreviations AM Annales Monastici, ed. H.R. Luard (5 vols, Rolls Series, 1864–1869) BL British Library CDS Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland (4 vols, London, 1881-1888) CIPM Calendar of Inquisitions Post-Mortem and Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office (vols. i-v, London: HMSO, 1904-1913) CChR Calendar of the Charter Rolls (London, 1916 - ) CClR Calendar of the Close Rolls (London, 1900 - ) CFR Calendar of the Fine Rolls, Volume I: Edward I, 1272–1307 (London, 1911) CLR Calendar of the Liberate Rolls (6 vols, London, 1916-1964) Chronica Majora Matthaei Parisiensis, Monachi Sancti Albani, Chronica Majora, ed. H.R. Luard (7 vols, London: Rolls Series, 1872–83) CPR Calendar of the Patent Rolls (8 vols, London: HMSO, 1893–1913) EYC Early Yorkshire Charters, ed. W. Farrer (vols. 1-3, Edinburgh, 1914-1916), C. T. Clay (vols. 4-12) (Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series: Extra Series, 1935-1965) Fine Rolls Fine Rolls of Henry III: available online via Henry III Fine Roll Project http://www.finerollshenry3.org.uk/content/calendar/calendar.html Flores Flores Historiarum, ed. H.R. Luard (3 vols, London: Rolls Series, 1890) Foedera Foedera: Conventiones, Litterae et Cujuscunque Generis Acta Publica, ed. T. Rymer (London: Record Commission, 1816) HMSO Her Majesty’s Stationer’s Office ODNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography ROF Rotuli de Oblatis et Finibus in Turri Londinensi Asservati, Tempore Regis Johannis, ed. T. D. Hardy (London: Record Commission, 1835) TNA The National Archives Yorks Deeds Yorkshire Deeds, ed. W. Brown (vols. 1-2) C. T Clay (vol. 6) M. J. Stanley Price (Vol. 10) (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013) v vi Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. iii Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................... v Fig: 1 Genealogical Chart of Descent to Roger de Lacy ........................................................................ ix Fig: 2 Genealogical Chart of de Lacy Constables ................................................................................... x Map 1: The de Lacy lands under Roger de Lacy (c.1190-1211) ............................................................ xi Map 2: The de Lacy lands under John de Lacy (c.1211-1240) ............................................................. xii Map 3: The de Lacy lands under Edmund de Lacy (c.1240-1258) ...................................................... xiii Map 4: The de Lacy lands under Henry de Lacy (c.1258-1311).......................................................... xiv Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Part I: The de Lacys, Politics and Royal Government .......................................................................... 39 Chapter 1: Roger de Lacy (c.1170-1211) .......................................................................................... 41 Chapter 2: John de Lacy (c.1192-1240) ............................................................................................ 55 Chapter 3: Edmund de Lacy (c.1230-1258) ...................................................................................... 71 Chapter 4: Henry de Lacy (c.1250-1311) .......................................................................................... 87 Part II: The de Lacy Honour, Estate Management, Affinity and Religious Patronage ....................... 135 Chapter 5: The de Lacy Honour ...................................................................................................... 137 Chapter 6: Estate Management ....................................................................................................... 149 Chapter 7: The de Lacy Affinity ....................................................................................................