Ralph "the Staller" of Norfolk, also called Radulfus Anglicus (Ralph "the Englishman"), was part English by birth, given his cognomen "Anglicus". He was the first known lord of Gaël at Rennes County, Normandy. He was possibly, tantalizingly, indicated in unreliable sources, as distantly related to the rebel English noble, Hereward the Wake.

Ralph was an influential figure as the steward of King Edward the Confessor, acting as Staller, or constable, between 1043 and 1066. Raloh held land in eastern England, in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, as well as Lincolnshire.

Ralph supported William of Normandy in his conquest of England in October 1066. He was granted the earldom of East Anglia by William the Conqueror. An 1890 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica notes that "The Earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk was Bestowed by the Conqueror upon Ralph le Guader."

See "My Lines" ( http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/p347.htm#i23764 ) from Compiler: R. B. Stewart, Evans, GA ( http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/index.htm )

Domesday Book

East Anglia, Ralph, Earl of - Also called Ralph Waher and Ralph de Guarder. Born in England, son of Ralph the Staller, Earl of Hereford, and Agatha. First Earl of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge. Responsible for beginning work on Norwich castle, which involved destroying many houses and 2 churches. Rebelled with Earl Roger of Breteuil and Hereford 1075 over the king's refusal to sanction his marriage to Roger's sister; subsequently his title and land were taken from him and the castle was taken over by the Crown. Domesday records his lost land as 'forfeited'. Ralph took refuge in Brittany with his wife, Emma, daughter of Earl William FitzOsbern; had three children, Amicia de Waher, Ralph de Gael de Montford and William de Breteuil. Died with his wife while travelling on the first Crusade.