From Newsgroup: soc.genealogy.medieval
I think my reply on the Asnieres/Semilly family included the agreement
between Robert of Gloucester and the Bishop of Bayeux regarding two fees
that Robert held, one he had taken by conquest from King Stephen that
Stephen had held as Count of Mortain. The agreement mentioned another
fee that was held lawfully and retained by Robert of Gloucester whose descendants held St. Clair sur Elle and Creully. Shortly after Robert's
death, William de Sancto Claro identified Countess Matilda as his lady, indicating this fee was her inheritance from Robert fitz Hamon. There
may be something to be said for a St. Clair connection to Hamon Dentatus
who held Creully.
Citations available on request
In Domesday Book, Hubert [de Sancto Claor] held Witchampton, Dorset of
Robert of Mortain. Hubert de Sancto Claro did not appear in the Dorset
Geld Roll of 1084. Picot, not Hubert, was identified as the tenant of
the Count of Mortain at Witchampton in the Geld Roll. That would
indicate that Picot was HubertrCOs predecessor at Witchampton, or a
competing claimant.
Picot may have been Robert de Say called rCLPicot,rCY tenant of Roger de Montgomery in Shropshire. Robert fitz Hamon married Sibyl, daughter of
Roger de Montgomery. Robert, Earl of Gloucester married Mabile or Sybil
fitz Hamon, daughter and sole heiress of Robert fitz Hamon. Cranborne,
Dorset was part of the inheritance that Robert, Earl of Gloucester
received from his marriage to Mabile or Sibyl, daughter of Robert fitz
Hamon. In 1242-1243, Witchampton was held of the honor of Gloucester appurtenant to Cranborne, Dorset.
In 1216, King John ordered the sheriff of Dorset to provide Alice de
Campania, mother of Robert de Campania, her dower in Wichamton, Dorset.
In 1217-1218, King John ordered the sheriff of Dorset to give Robert de Campania seisin of his land in Wichamton that was held by his mother in
dower. In 1201, Geoffrey Despenser was in a lawsuit against Alesie
[Alice] de Turlestan [Thurlaston] over four virgates and 9 acres in
Craft [Croft] and 3 virgates in Turlestan in Leicestershire. Alice put
in her place as representative her son Robert de Campania, who was in
the service of the Earl of Ferariis. This family is related to the
Turvilles and Roger de Craft, a de Haia/St. John tenant in Sussex and at Bilton, Warwickshire.
...vero quod Tallivilla b dicitur concesserunt quicquid habebant
Turstinus de Croillio, Willelmus de Columberiis, Roscelinus filius
Heraldi, Rotbertus filius Rainfredi [de Remilly?], Ricardus vicecomes Abrincatensis, pro salute domini sui et animarum suarum, que villula
circa duas acras habet in fundo suo, que terra deserta erat quando earn dederunt pro Rainfredum monachum et pro Petrum sancto Martino--erant
autem isti duo monachi amici ipsorum baronum et principis
Normannie--hanc autem absolutam concesserunt et hospites ipsius terre absolutos ab omni requisitione alicuius debiti, sicut elemosinam datam
Deo [pro salute] sua, et quicquid circa villulam dederunt ipsi et
fideles sui de terra sua ad augmentum elemosine sue; c Oddo vero
episcopus d Baiocensis dedit de ipso mansiolo et ipsius villule ecclesie
totas consuetudines que ad episcopatum pertinent, et ipse rex libenter [concessit] et barones sui; Willelmus autem de Columberiis concessit et
dedit totam decimam de omni re territorii ipsius villule que pertinebat
ad eum...
Bates, Regesta, No. 280.
In 1034, Humphrey de Vielles, re-founded the Abbey of St. Peter at
Preaux (which had been destroyed during the Viking invasion and
settlement of Normandy) in the region of Haute-Normandie (far from Saint-Clair-sur-Elle). To provide sustenance for the monks, Humphrey de Vielles donated to St. Peter, Preaux the following land in Normandy: all
he had in Torvilla [Tourville] except Pont-Audemer; Merlini Montis [Merlimont]; Sellas [Selles]; Campaniacus [Campigny] ; and Boscus
Osberni [Bosc-Aubert]. HumphreyrCOs lord, Robert, Duke of Normandy, father
of [future King] William granted his demesne at Toutainville. Later,
Duke William of Normandy gave the vills of Bollivilla [Boulleville] and
Viana [Vienne-en-Bessin]. Richard de Creully gave to the Abbey of
Preaux his claim to Turstinivilla [Toutainville] and Viana
[Vienne-en-Bessin].
Between 1035 and 1066, Richard Croc and his wife Benzeline donated the
land of Saint Clair to the Abbey of Preaux because they had no heir.
The abbeyrCOs cartulary contains no other information regarding Richard
Croc. Benzeline was the sister of Gilbert, Turstin, and Saffori Efflanc,
whose family were important early benefactors of the abbey. What is
unique but not necessarily uncommon is that Richard Croc and Benzeline
gave Saint-Clair-sur-Elle to distant Preaux Abbey rather than a
monastery closer to Saint-Clair-sur-Elle. It is likely the connection
between BenzelinerCOs family and the Abbey of Preaux that motivated the decision to select Preaux instead of a closer monastery.
The Efflanc family was closely connected to the foundation of the Abbey
of Preaux and held land in many of the vills mentioned in relation to
the foundation. As recited in the re-foundation charter for the abbey, a knight, Saffroi [Efflanc] gave six acres; and his relatives [brothers], Gilbert and Turstin [Efflanc] gave 14 acres [all likely in
Toutainville]. Turstin Efflanc gave two manors in the vicinity of
Preaux, a peasant and tenement in Turvilla [Tourville], the tithe of
Corbelli Montis [Corbeaumont] and three men in Bullivilla [Boulleville].
Anquetil de Campiniaco [Campigny], son of Saffroi [Efflanc], took his
name from Campigny which was given by Humphrey de Vielles at the
foundation of the Abbey.
Eudo Dapifer [Eudo the Steward] son of Hubert I de Ryes held the honor
of Preaux and a fee at St. Clair sur Elle. Before 1120, Eudo Dapifer
gave to St. Amand the tithe of the forest of Tison in his honour of
Preaux, witnessed by Alvred de Lincolia and his nepos Roger de Vilers. Confirmations to St. John, Colchester reference the gift of the tithes
of Suthefleet [Southfleet, Kent just across the Thames from London] by
Roger de Vilers. Roger de VilersrCO brother, Hamo [de Sancto Claro] gave
to St. John, Colchester two parts of the tithe of Walcra [Walkern] and
half the tithe of Chaler. the William de Vilers who held the St. Clair
manors of Kingstone and Morden in 1194, also likely held Tarente, Dorset
of Alfred III of Lincoln. In 1153, King Henry II gave to Ranulf [II]
Earl of Chester the fee of Alvred of Lincoln and the fee of Robert Malet
at Eia [Eye]. Henry II described both Alfred of Lincoln and Robert Malet
as avunculus (uncle or close relative rCo the converse of nepos) to
RanulfrCOs wife, Mathilda of Gloucester, daughter of Robert, Earl of Gloucester.
Robert of Gloucester had a nepos (nephew, grandson, or close relative)
named Nigel, son of William, who exchanged land at Fecamp with the Abbey
of Fecamp. Circa 1134, Nigel granted to the Abbey all that he, his
father, and his grandfather held in the town of Fecamp and Soleram
[Solers, Normandy]. In exchange, the Abbot granted to Nigel the manor
of Lelham [Laleham, Middlesex]. In 1204-1206, Bartholomew fitz Richard,
also known as Bartholomew de Lelham or de Litleton [Littleton in
Middlesex] son of Richard, was in a lawsuit with William de Horsted
[son of Robert de Horsted, successor to Hubert de Sancto Claro at Little Horsted, Sussex] over one hide in Halegeford [Halliford] Middlesex and
one hide in Exeford [Ashford] Middlesex. Alviva, the aunt of
BartholomewrCOs grandfather or ancestor held the land in the time of King JohnrCOs avus (grandfather) [presumably, King JohnrCOs great-grandfather,
King Henry I, was intended]. William de HorstedrCOs predecessors held the
land since the Norman Conquest of England.
In 1066-1087, William [the Conqueror], King of England, attested the
gift to the Abbey of Cerisy by Ralph (Radulphus or Radulfi) son of
William of one-third of the offerings at the alter at Saint Clair
during the feast day, along with four acres of land for the construction
of a house, with the consent of his lord, Richard de Merieo. Bates,
Regesta, 96; Monasticon, vol. 7, p. 1074. Ralph son of Benzeline
testified with Humphrey de Bohun, his son Richard [de Meri], Richard de Aubigny, and his children, Rulaox and Nigel, in a circa 1080 lawsuit in
the KingrCOs court involving a prebend of St. George de Bohun claimed by Geoffrey son of Nerveus [de Bohun]. Ralph de Meri, son of Humphrey de
Bohun was the lord of a Ralph who held land at Saint-Clair-sur-Elle that
was given by Benzeline to the Abbey of Preaux.
William Goiz granted the land which Robert the doctor held of him at
Eterville and Colomby-sur-Thaon, with the agreement of his brothers and sisters, and of his lord, earl Hugh of Chester. David Bates, ed.,
Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum: The Acta of William I, 1066-1087
(Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1998), Number 49.
In 1182, Henry Bishop of Bayeux confirmed to the Abbey of Savigny, the
gift by William de Sancto Claro and his brother Hamon of a sixth part of
Thaon with the consent of Stephen Count of Mortain and Richard Bishop of Bayeux. He also confirmed the gift of Vilers as it was held by Richard
de Vilers by Richard, Bishop of Bayeux, with the consent of the brothers William and Hamon de Sancto Claro. The addition of Le Meauffe indicates
the the St. Clair fee abutted the de Hommet fee. The pertinent language
of the confirmation charter follows:
Ex dono Guillelmi de Sancto Claro et Hamonis fratris ejus, concessione Stephani comitis Moretonii et Ricardi Baiocensis episcopi sextam partem
de Taon cum omnibus pertinentiis suis tam in secularibus quam in ecclesiasticis rebus; et terram de Vilers cum molendino et molta tocius
terre que fuit Richardi de Vilers, et cum aliis pertinentiis suis.
Ecclesiam quoque ejusdem ville de Vilers, ex dono Richardi Baiocensis
episcopi concessione predictorum fratrum. Ex dono predictorum fratrum
terram de Melfa [Le Meauffe] cum pertinentiis suis. Acte 8986 -+, dans SCRIPTA. Base des actes normands m|-di|-vaux, dir. Pierre Bauduin, Caen, CRAHAM-MRSH, 2010-2019. [En ligne]
https://www.unicaen.fr/scripta/acte/8986, citing L|-chaud|- drCOAnisy Am|-d|-e-Louis, Notice historique sur la baronnie et sur lrCO|-glise de Than drCOapr|?s les chartes de Savigny, M|-moires de la Soci|-t|- des antiquaires de Normandie, t. 12, 1840-1841, p. 115-116.
The Bohuns were lords at Le Hommet just as they were lords at Saint-Clair-sur-Elle. In 1154, Richard, Bishop of Coutances issued a
notice that Richard de Hulmeto [Hommet] and Engelger de Bohun gave to
the men of the Priory of St. Fromond freedom of toll at Hulmetum [Le
Hommet], the fair of St. Fromond and other gifts. There is further
evidence of a relationship between the de Hommet family and the de Bohun family. According to Thomas Stapleton, Engelger de Bohun confirmed a
gift of land from his fee to the Abbey of Savigny by Richard de St.
Fromond [a de Hommet fee], his wife Rohias, and their son, William.
Also, in 1181-1206, William de Hometis, constable of the King of
England, gave to William Cotele, for his service, the whole land that
Phillip de Cavigneio held at Lengrone of Engelger de Bohun when Engelger
de Bohun held Lengrone in exchange for Humeti [Le Hommet]. The
witnesses included RichardrCOs sons, Ricardo [II] de Humetis, William de
Saeio and Henry de Humetis, Thomas de Humetis, Engerrand de Humetis;
Robert de Haia; and Ricardo de Fonteneio.
In 1164, Phillipe de Thaun did homage to and recognized William, cleric
and deacon of the church of Bayeux as his lord for all he held of the
church of Bayeux in Thaon and Fraxino [Fresne-Camilly adjacent to
Thaon]. According to a papal bull, the chapel of Fraxino was also given
to Savigny by the brothers William and Hamon de Sancto Claro.
In 1154-1158, Robert de Novoburgo [Newburgh], justiciar and seneschal of Normandy issued a notice that, in the KingrCOs court at Caen, Robert de
Thaun, son of Ralph de Thaun, restored to the Abbey of Savigny the
tithes and land of Thaun which Robert and his brothers had contested
with the Abbey, but the Abbey had proven itrCOs right in the KingrCOs court
at Domfront. the witnesses included Richard son of the Earl of
Gloucester [who held a fee at Saint-Clair-sur-Elle] William de Vilers,
and Geoffrey son of Mabile. In 1170, Ranulph de Thain witnessed a
charter from Mabira [Mabile], daughter of Earl Robert [of Gloucester]
mother of Jordan de Campo Ernalfi, and lady of Mansum cellarum
[Maisoncelles] to the church of Plessis confirming the gift, by her son Jordan, of the church of St. Amand of Maisoncelles.
Circa 1164, Richard de Bohon, Bishop of Coutances notified Ricardo de
Hometo, the KingrCOs constable that he had placed a priest of the church
of Thaon, which vacancy was not filled by Ralph de Thaon. In 1137-1180,
Louis the VII of France ordered that Rainold de Vernie or Reginald de
Thaun and his brothers who were making war on the Abbey of Savigny be
brought to justice in whatever kingdom they were found.
Philip de Thaon was the son of Ralph de Verney. In 1177-1182, King Henry
II confirmed to the Abbey of Savigny the gift by Ralph de Verneii and
his wife Mabilie, with the consent of their son, Phillip, of land in
Thaun of the fee of Robert de Fonteneto [Fontenay]. The original
charter of Ralph Vernei, his wife, Mabilie, and their son, Phillip,
identified another son of Ralph, a priest named William. This priest
named William was likely the cleric William referenced above who
received the homage of Phillip of Thaon for his fee at Thaon and Fresne.
The gift included land at Thaon already held by the monastery and at
Noiers [near Thaon]. The witnesses included Robert Vernei, Roger Vernei, William Vernei, Roger de Stutevilla, brother [monk] William de Sancto
Laudo [St. Lo] and brother Ralph Lupo (he with his son Reynold [de
Thaon?] also gave land at Thaon and Columby sur Thaon to Savigny). The
1180 Norman pipe roll records a debt of 100s. owed by Ralph de Verneium
for recognition of a claim against Savigny Abbey for the tithe of Taon.
Agnes de Hommet married Baldwin II Wake. In 1205-1213, Agnes de Hommet, daughter of William de Hommet, with assent of her son Baldwin [III]
Wake, granted a messuage in Lower Winchendon [Buckinghamshire];
witnessed by Guy Wake, knight, and Walter Marshal. In 1207, King John
granted that Agnes Wak could hold the land of Lower Winchendon, which
William du Hommet her father granted to her in marriage through the hand
of Henry II, of the king in chief for life; and that Agnes shall have
peace of the plea between her and the Abbey of Nutley regarding the same
land. Agnes Wak, daughter of William de Hommet and wife of Baldwin II
Wake, was also married to Ralph de Vernay, who she put in her place in
her pleas (lawsuits) with the Abbey of Nutley.
In 1174-1182, King Henry II confirmed to the Abbey of Montebourg the
gift of Henry de Tilly of the church of Teivilla [Theville]. As noted
above, Roger de Teivilla [Theville] witnessed William and Hamon de
Sancto ClarorCOs gift of Thaon to the Abbey of Savigny.
Sometime before 1204, Robert Bertran gave and conceded to Henry de
Tylleio his whole fee held by him and his predecessors of Robert Bertran
and his predecessors at Tilleyum [Tilly-sur-Seulles], and gave, in
addition to that fee, a fee at Fontenetum called the fee of Coulles to
Henry and his heirs to hold of Robert and his heirs, namely at Tilleyum
and Fontenetum, as well as the service from one knightrCOs fee at Audreium [Audrieu] that William Brito held of Robert Bertran, to hold by the
service of a knightrCOs fee, which was witnessed by Ralph Tesson, Phillip
de Valceyo, Ralph Patriq [Patric], William de Blossevilla, Amauric de Tybouvilla, Robert Malvesin de Rosel, Ralph de Briquebec, Hugh de
Barneville, William de Fausguernon, Waleran de Pontif, William de
Sauceyo, William Quartel and others.
Circa 1220, probably a later Henry de Tillie granted to the Abbey of St. Etienne, Caen some land in Fontaine near Thaon and confirmed a grant by
Henri de Noyers in the same place. The charter of Henri de Noiers
identified his brother William, a cleric who previously held the land,
and the concession of his father, Robert de Noiers. In 1156-1205, Henry Bishop of Bayeux issued a notice that Hugh de Noiers, knight, with the
consent of his brother, William, gave to St. Stephen, Caen all his right
of patronage of a moiety of the church of Fontibus [Fontaine] adjacent
Taon, with two sheaves of the tithes of his whole fee in the same town
of Fontibus, as given by his brother William and his father, Robert de
Noiers. In 1165-1205, Henry, Bishop of Bayeux issued a notice that
Robert de Fonteneio, knight, gave to the church of Bayeux the tithes
that RobertrCOs father, Archard, had given them from his fee at Moun [Moon-sur-Elle or Moyun] which was confirmed in 1165-1202 by RobertrCOs
son, William de Fontibus, knight.
In 1181-1220, Phillip Vernei, knight, gave to the Abbey of
Aunay-sur-Odon a field called Mara that his father, Ralph Vernei, had
given to the monks and grain from land in the parish of Viana [Vienne-en-Bessin?] in Normandy. At the same time, Roger Vernei gave to
the Abbey of Aunay-sur-Odon land in the parish of Noiers.
In 1077-1078, the abbey of Preaux held the land of an unnamed vill that
Grento de Fontenay gave to Osmund de Mathieu with GrentorCOs daughter in marriage. Thus, the land was part of the daughterrCOs marriage portion or maritagium, land given by a father with his daughter in marriage. Osmund
gave the land to Gilbert de Cond|-[-sur-Risle] with OsmundrCOs daughter Ascelina in marriage. Ascelina gave the land to the convent of
Saint-L|-ger, Preaux when she became a nun there, in such a way that
neither her brother [the son of Osmund de Mathieu] nor her daughter [the
wife of Roger de Croismare] should have a claim to any part or
inheritance within it. Ascelina also gave land at Columbine villa [Colombiers-sur-Seulles or Colomby-sur-Thaon] which her husband Gilbert
held by lease from Robert de Carbonaria.
In 1035-1066, with the consent of Robert son of Humphrey [de Vielles], a knight named Gilbert [de Conde], not having an heir, gave all his vill
of Conde-sur-Risle with part of the church there to the Abbey of Preaux.
He also gave all his inheritance in other places, namely in
Columbarivilla [Columbiers-sur-Selles or Columby-sur-Thaon] and Methvena [Meuvaines]. Gilbert [and presumably his wife Ascelina, daughter of
Osmund de Mathieu and granddaughter of Grento de Fontenay] eventually
had one daughter who married Roger de Cruce Maris [Croix-Mare]. After
Gilbert died, Roger de Cruce Maris the younger asked the monks if he
could hold GilbertrCOs honor of the Abbey which would presumably hold it
from the superior lord, Roger de Bello Montis [Beaumont]. The monks
agreed on the condition that they would have half of the vill of Condedi [Conde-sur-Risle] during RogerrCOs lifetime and the rest at his death
except 30 acres of land, his house, garden and curtilage, and two
knights, Robert and Roger, which RogerrCOs heir would hold with the rest
of his lands as vassal of the Abbey.
King Henry II confirmed to the Abbey of Jumieges the gift of Croismara
by William de Watevilla. In 1170, Eudo fitz Ernius [Erneis] and his
wife, Felicia, daughter of Nicholas de Lunda, conceded and confirmed to
the Abbey of Jumieges, the church of Croismara that FeliciarCOs great-grandfather, William de Vautevilla or Watevilla [Vatteville], had
given to the Abbey.
In 1217, Robert VI fitz Erneis, nepos to Ralph Taxonis son of Jordan
Taxonis, confirmed donations to the Abbey of Fontenay including that by
Robert V fitz Erneis in the territory of Barneville at sancti Richerii,
and 3 acres in the territory of Fontenato, for the soul of his mother,
Rohaise de Corceio [Courcy] and the churches of Wells and Warham [both
in Norfolk and held of the Count of Gloucester ] and the land of
Hamnygebi [Hemingby, Lincolnshire ] in England. He also confirmed the
gift by William de Villariis [Vilers] for the soul of William fitz
Erneis of land in Bellum-montem [Beaumont-en-Auge, Calvados, Normandy].
On 7/16/2025 7:10 PM, Robert Spencer wrote:
Here is an interesting person named Osmund, described as "Seneschal of Richard le Goz", and a "man of Richard de Creully".
Richard de Creully founded the priory of Saint Garbriel at Brecy.
There has been a lot of discussions on whether Richard le Goz was the
same person as Richard de Creully.I can understand why. Both families
hold land at many of the same places and interact many times.
Osmund sold land to Feecamp, which it used to contribute lands for the foundation of Saint Gabriel de Brecy.
However, after much research and seeing that Richard de Creully
witnesses charters as early as 1025, he does not appear to Richard le Goz.
I have tentatively identified Osmund as the otherwise unknown Osmund, Sub-Dispenser Regis of Great Rollright, under Robert fitz Turstin who in Normandy was known as "Robert de Etterville, the Medica". Robert fitz Turstin held land at Etterville of William fitz Robert le Goiz (Goz).
Osmund held at Ludwell (Ledwell) for his service at Great Rollright. He likely knew William de Semilly who held at Glympton at the time of the Domesday Survey. His son Geoffrey de Clinton also held land in Ledwell
4.1 miles from Glympton church. In Rounds work he details this family at great Rollright.
here: https://archive.org/details/kingsserjeantsof00rounuoft/page/188/ mode/2up?q=osmund
Robert Spencer
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