William FitzAlan, Sheriff of Shropshire

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCTX-HJN

Burke's has the William fitz Alan who married Isabel de Say, Lady of Cluny, as the son of Alan fitz Flaald and Aveline de Hesding. Other sources have him as the son of William FITZALAN (B. Oswestry) and Helen PEVERELL (b. ABT 1110).

William fitz Alan married Isabel de Say Lady of Clun, daughter of Helias de Say as her first husband. She married 2) Geoffrey de Vere 3) William de Botreaux Children include:

1. John FitzAlan d. 1240
2. William fitz Alan Lord of Oswestry+1 b. c 1155, d. bt 1210 - 1211

Notes

1. Married 2: Mary ERINGTES (dau. of Thomas De Eringtes)
2. There seems to be conflicting data and generations from different sources.

Sheriff of Shropshire.

Burke's has William dead without issue. Burke's also has John (whom I have a son of this William) being a son of William (father of this William) who died about 1160. I think that would make John almost 100 years old when he died, therefore I am going with the usually less reliable Plantagenet Ancestry and saying John was son of this William who died 1210, whom I guess Bernard Burke (see citation below) states died about 1172 and had another son William who may have dsp 1216.

William Fitz-Alan, in the 12th Henry II [1166], upon the assessment in aid of marrying the king's daughter, certified his knights' fees to be innumber thirty-five and a half. He d. about 1172, and was s. by his son,William Fitz-Alan. [Bernard Burke, Dormant and Extinct Peerages, Burke'sPeerage, Ltd, London, 1883, p. 200, Fitz-Alan, Earls of Arundel]

From: beejaydub@darnfastnet.com (Barbara Watkins) Newsgroups: soc.genealogy.medieval Subject: Re: Possible Solution to the Fitz Alan Problem Date: 5 Jul 2002 18:59:36 -0700

Hello Joe and friends,

The Norsworthy article is a fascinating source of genealogical data which helps to clarify the politial intrigue of the early 13th Century. It gives an intriguing perspective to John FitzAlan's feud with King John. The FitzAlans were of Breton descent and their association with the ruling family went back to the time of Henry I. At Henry's death, William FitzAlan and Walter FitzAlan, his brother, took the part of Henry's daughter Matilda against Stephen de Blois. They believed that the crown should descend by primogeniture regardless of the sex of the claimant. (Very progressive thinkers!) It is unknown where William FitzAlan was during the reign of Stephen although Eyton supposed he was in the court of the Earl of Chester. His brother Walter joined David, King of Scotland, who was uncle to the Empress. As Walter FitzAlan descended from the Stewards of Dol, he became Steward of Scotland. After Stephen's death, William FitzAlan returned to royal favor in the court of Matilda's son Henry II. However, the issue of primogeniture would again cause a rift between the FitzAlans and the ruling monarch when King John arranged for the murder of his nephew and the imprisonment of Arthur's sister Alienor who had superior claims to the throne of England. The king started by depriving William FitzAlan II of the office of Sheriff. Then, when William II died in 1210, King John awarded the custody of William's four children to Thomas de Erdington, a man he could trust. Thomas sought to neutralize the FitzAlan power by arranging the marriage of his own daughter, Mary, to William FitzAlan III. William then had the audacity to die without heirs, thus thwarting the machinations of the king and Erdington. As for the genealogy, Norsworthy had no problem in limiting the genealogy to three Williams. The first William FitzAlan and his brother Walter, were the sons of Alan FitzFlaald of Dol and his wife Aveline de Hesding. William married 1) Christiana who died in 1153, and 2)Isabel de Say very shortly after Christiana's death. William FitzAlan II, the son of William I and Isabel was born in 1154, probably when his father was in his 50's. "The date of his birth shows the reason why John FitzAlan's cousin, Walter FitzAlan II, Steward of Scotland, was able to be a grandfather in 1215, though he belonged to the same generation in line as John FitzAlan who was only just of age." William II also had children late in life as his four children were all underage at the time of his death in 1210. William FitzAlan II married "an infant daughter" of Hugh de Lacy II. This meant his sons William III and John had very powerful relatives -- the Lacys and the Clares. William FitzAlan III "never had livery of the FitzAlan inheritance, although he had done homage for it." Instead, Thomas de Erdington, as previously mentioned, incurred a huge fine in order to marry his daughter Mary to William III. William's death put quit to that scheme. So, when John FitzAlan came of age, he was a serious threat to King John. Not only did he believe John's rule was unlawful, he had extremely powerful connections, and had some scores to settle concerning in patrimony.

Citations

1. [S97] John Bernard Burke, Burke's Peerage.
2. [S414] H. Owen & J.B. Blakeway, History of Shrewsbury, p. 77.

links

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p511.htm#i5106
• http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/FITZALAN.htm#William%20FITZALAN%20(She...

Please see Darrell Wolcott: Henry, the Forgotten Son of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id117.html. (Steven Ferry, April, 22, 2017.)

Family

Note: there is disagreement on family / generation configurations.

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISH%20NOBILITY%20MEDIEVAL1.htm#...

WILLIAM FitzAlan, son of ALAN FitzFlaald & his [second] wife Adeline [Aveline] d'Hesdin (-1160). He founded the Augustinian priory of Haughmond in Shropshire in [1130/38], which became an abbey in 1155[59]. The Gesta Stephani Regis names "Willelmus filius Alani" among the supporters of Empress Matilda in the English civil war[60]. "William Fitz Alan" donated the fishery of Upton-upon-Severn to Haughmond abbey by undated charter, witnessed by "Walter his brother, Christiana his wife…"[61]. A charter of Henry II King of England, dated 1176, recites donations to Haughmond abbey including that of "Willielmus filius Alani" of "terram de Piperinges" previously enjoyed by "Aveline matris ipsius Willielmi filius Alani"[62]. He was Sheriff of Shropshire in 1138[63] and in [1155/56]. The 1156 Pipe Roll records "Wills fili Alani. Redd Comp." in Shropshire[64]. “Ric comes de Arundell et dom de Albo” confirmed donations of property by “bonæ memoriæ Wil. filii Alani antecessoris nostri” to Shrewsbury Abbey by charter dated “die Martiis in festo Annunciationis beatæ Mariæ anno regni regis Edwardi vicesimo”[65]. The Red Book of the Exchequer refers to "Willelmo filio Alani i m" in Warwickshire, Leicestershire in [1161/62][66].

m firstly CHRISTIANA, niece of ROBERT FitzRoy Earl of Gloucester, daughter of ---. Orderic Vitalis records that "William fitz Alan castellan and vicecomes of Shrewsbury" married "a niece of Robert Earl of Gloucester"[67]. "William Fitz Alan" donated the fishery of Upton-upon-Severn to Haughmond abbey by undated charter, witnessed by "Walter his brother, Christiana his wife…"[68].

m secondly ([1153/54]%29 as her first husband, ISABEL de Say, daughter of ELIAS de Say Lord of Clun, Shropshire & his wife ---. A charter of Henry II King of England, dated 1176, recites donations to Haughmond abbey including that of "Willielmus filius Alani" of the church of Stokes with the consent of "Isabelle uxoris sue"[69]. The primary source which confirms her parentage has not been identified. Heiress of the honour of Clun. She married secondly ([1160/66]) as his second wife, Geoffrey de Vere, and thirdly ([1171]) as his first wife, William Boterel [II] of Cornwall. The primary source which confirms her second and third marriages has not been identified.

William & his first wife had one child:

1. ALAN (-bur Haughmond Abbey). "William Fitz Alan with his wife Dame Christiana" donated land at Hales to Haughmond abbey, for the soul of "their son Alan…[buried] there", by undated charter[70].

William & his [first/second] wife had one child:

2. CHRISTIANA . Her parentage and marriage are confirmed by reading several documents together: firstly, under a charter dated [3 Mar/24 Jun] 1170, Henry II King of England authorised deduction from the FitzAlan estates of revenue from the manor of Badminton "which the king had assigned as the marriage portion of William fitz Alan’s daughter"; secondly, Hugh Pantulf donated his rights in the church of Badminton to Lilleshall abbey by charter dated to [1215/18]; thirdly, Hugh Pantulf names his wife "Christiana" in a donation to Shrewsbury abbey[71]. It is assumed that Christiana was William’s daughter by his first marriage because of her name, but this is not beyond all doubt. m (before [3 Mar/24 Jun] 1170) HUGH Pantulf of Wem, son of IVO Pantulf & his [first wife ---] (-before 28 Dec 1224).

William & his second wife had one child:

3. WILLIAM FitzAlan ([1154]-[1210]). He came of age in 1175[72]. “Willielmus filius Willielmi filii Alani” donated “villam…Parva Buldewas” to Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Johannes Extraneus et Wido frater eius, Johannes filius Johannis Extranei, Wido et Hamo filii Widonis Extranei, Thomas filius Roberti filii Noelli…”[73]. A register of Dunstable priory records the death in 1210 of William FitzAlan[74]. m --- de Lacy, daughter of HUGH de Lacy of Ludlow and Ewyas [later Lord of Meath] & his first wife Rohese ---. Her parentage and marriage are referred to by Eyton but he cites no primary source on which this is based[75]. William & his wife had four children:

a) WILLIAM (-[Apr] [1215]). "William, son of William Fitz Alan" confirmed donations of land at Downton to Haughmond abbey by charter dated to [1210][76]. An undated writ reports the death of "William Fitz Alan" is reported at "Clun in company with his brother John…at Easter last", dated to [1215][77]. m (betrothed Jul 1214) MARY de Erdington, daughter of THOMAS de Erdington & his wife ---. "Thomas de Erdington" purchased the wardship of the FitzAlan estates in early Jul 1214, the marriage of his daughter to the elder son of "the late William FitzAlan" being agreed at the same time[78]. A writ of King Henry III dated 13 Oct 1217 ordered the sheriff of Oxfordshire to give seizing to Thomas de Erdington of the manor of Nortun "which was the dower of his daughter Mary out of the lands of William fitz Alan, late her husband"[79].
b) JOHN FitzAlan (-before 15 Mar 1240). An undated writ reports the death of "William Fitz Alan" is reported at "Clun in company with his brother John…at Easter last", dated to [1215][80]. m firstly ISABEL d'Aubigny, daughter of WILLIAM Earl of Arundel & his wife Mabel of Chester (-before 1240). The Annales Londonienses name "Mabiliam, Nicholaam, Ceciliam et Isabellam" as the four daughters of "secunda…Mabillia…uxor comitis de Arundelle", specifying that "Isabella" married "Johanni filio Alani"[81]. m secondly HAWISE de Blancminster, daughter of --- (-before 19 Sep 1242). Writs-Close were addressed to the sheriffs of Sussex and elsewhere relative to the assignment of the dower of "Hawyse de Albo Monasterio, widow of John fitz Alan" 15 Mar 1240[82]. Her dower devolved to the estate of her stepson John FitzAlan 19 Sep 1242[83]. John & his first wife had one child:

i) JOHN ([May 1223]-1267 before 10 Nov). The Annales Londonienses name "Johannem" as the son of "Johanni filio Alani" & his wife[84]. He succeeded his father in 1240 as Lord of Clun and Oswestry. The castle of Arundel was awarded to him 27 Nov 1243 as part of the inheritance of his maternal uncle Hugh de Albini Earl of Arundel, but he was never known by the title of Earl of Arundel[85]. m (before 1240) as her first husband, MATILDA de Verdun, daughter of NICHOLAS de Verdun & his wife Clementia --- (-27 Nov 1283). Her parentage and first marriage are confirmed by an inquisition after the death of "Robert Waleraund" which records that the deceased held "Stupellaunton [Wiltshire]...of the gift of Lady Maud de Albo Monasterio sometime the wife of John son of Alan, who had the land in free marriage from Lady Clemence de Verdun her mother"[86]. She married secondly Richard de Amundeville. Inquisitions "Wednesday after Epiphany 12 Edw I", after the death of "Maud (late) the wife of Richard de Amundevyl alias Lady Maud de verdun”, name “Richard son of John (son) of the said Alan [no Alan previously mentioned] age unknown is her next heir...Richard son of Alan aged 18 at the feast of St. Michael last is her next heir”, found that she died “on Saturday after St. Katherine 12 Edw I”[87]. John & his wife had one child:

(a) JOHN (14 Sep 1245-18 Mar 1272, bur Haughmond Abbey, Shropshire). He succeeded his father in 1267 as Lord of Clun and Oswestry, and as owner of the title and honour of the castle of Arundel. m (before 14 May 1260) as her first husband, ISABEL de Mortimer, daughter of ROGER [IV] de Mortimer of Wigmore & his wife Matilda de Briouse (-after 1300). Hearings following the death of "John son of Alan of Arundel", dated “2 Edw I”, record that "Isabel late the wife of the said John" claimed her dower, naming “Roger de Mortuomari guardian of the said John’s heir”[88]. She married secondly (before 1273) Ralph d'Arderne, and thirdly (Poling, Sussex 2 Sep 1285) Robert de Hastang. John & his wife had two children:

(1) RICHARD (3 Feb 1267-9 Mar 1302, bur Haughmond Abbey, Shropshire). Inquisitions "Wednesday after Epiphany 12 Edw I", after the death of "Maud (late) the wife of Richard de Amundevyl alias Lady Maud de verdun”, name “Richard son of John (son) of the said Alan [no Alan previously mentioned] age unknown is her next heir...Richard son of Alan aged 18 at the feast of St. Michael last is her next heir”[89]. He was created Earl of Arundel [Sussex] in 1289. - see below.
(2) MATILDA (-before [1330]). The licence for “Matilda late the wife of Philip Burnel tenant in chief” to marry “Robert de Brus lord of Annandale” is dated 19 Sep 1295[90]. An order dated 13 Oct 1296 relates to a claim by "Robert de Brus earl of Carrick and lord of Annandale and Matill[idis] his wife in a plea of dower"[91]. “Matilda formerly the wife of Philip Burnel” sued “Ralph Springehose” and others for land in Wolverhampton and 26 named tenants in Wolverhampton for a third of their holdings “in that vill as her dower” dated [6 May/1 Jun] 1299[92]. Her third marriage is confirmed by an agreement dated “Saturday before Midsummer 8 Edw II” between “Hugh le Despenser and John de Haudlo” and “Simon Criketot” relating to covenants between Hugh and John and “Dame Maud Burnell now wife of the said Simon” on the marriage of “the said John and Dame Maud Lovel daughter of the said Dame Maud Burnel”[93]. “John de Handlo [Haudlo] and Maud his wife” petitioned for lands, dated to [1330], stating that “Philip Burnel, father of Maud de Handlo, and Maud his wife” were seised of tenements “given in free marriage by Richard Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel, Maud’s brother”, after the death of Maud senior[94]. m firstly PHILIP Burnell of Condover, Holgate, Acton Burnell (Shropshire) and Little Rissington (Gloucestershire)[95], son of --- (-1294, before 3 Jun). He and his wife were ancestors of the Lords Burnell[96]. m secondly (licence 19 Sep 1295, divorced [Oct 1296/May 1299]) as his second wife, ROBERT [VI] de Brus [Lord Brus] Lord of Annandale, son of ROBERT [V] de Brus Lord of Annandale & his first wife Isabel de Clare (Jul 1243-shortly before 4 Apr 1304, bur Abbey of Holm Cultram). m thirdly (before 19 Jun 1316) SIMON Criketot, son of ---.

c) AGNES . A writ of King John dated 23 Nov 1213 ordered "John Mareschall" to value land and rents from the estate of "the late William Fitz Alan" for "Philip son of Simon de Kyme" in lieu of the land which "Fitz Alan had given to his daughter in marriage"[97]. A manuscript genealogy of the Gant family records that “Philippus de Kyma” married “Agnetem Waleys”[98]. “Philippus de Kima” confirmed donations to Bullington priory, Lincolnshire by "avus meus Philippus de Kima", for the soul of "Agnetis sponæ meæ", by undated charter[99]. m PHILIP de Kyme, son of SIMON de Kyme & his wife Rohese --- (-1242).
d) PETRONILLA . Her parentage, marriage and descendants are referred to by Eyton[100]. m (before Apr 1213) WALTER de Dunstanville of Idsall, son of WALTER de Dunstanville & his [second] wife Sibylla --- (-before 21 Aug 1241).

From https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_FitzAlan,_Lord_of_Oswestry retrieved April 2018

• William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry, High Sheriff of Shropshire
• Born c. 1105 England
• Died 3 April 1160 England
• Buried Shrewsbury Abbey
• Noble family Arundel
• Spouse(s)
  • Christiana (until her death, before 1155)
  • Isabel de Say
• Issue
  • William Fitz Alan, 1st Lord of Oswestry and Clun
  • Christiana m. Hugh Pantulf, 4th Baron of Wem
• Father Alan fitz Flaad
• Mother Avelina de Hesdin
• Occupation English Marcher Lord

Origins

The issue of Alan and Avelina was:

From https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_fitz_Flaad retrieved April 2018

William fitz Alan, eldest son (d. 1160), made High Sheriff of Shropshire by King Stephen of England in 1137. He married a niece of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester.[67] His son William (d. c1210) acquired by marriage the Lordship of Clun and he became designated "Lord of Clun and Oswestry".[68] William is ancestor of the FitzAlan Earls of Arundel.[69]

Notes

After the conquest the region was granted to Roger de Montgomerie by William I. In turn it passed to Rainald who is thought to have built the first castle (unless of course, he was settling on existing Welsh fortifications). After Rainald the castle passed to Alan Fitzlaad, descendant to the mighty Fitzalans, later to become the Lords of Arundel and Clun. The Civil War however, between Stephen and Matilda saw William Fitzalan I join forces with Matilda. Thus he was forced to give up the castle and its area. The Welsh were now given a chance to reclaim what they once may have lost, and this appears evident in the occupation of the castle by Madoc ap Maerdudd the Prince of Powys, between 1149 and 1157, along with the Lordship of the area. This was short lived however, since the accession of Henry II saw the Fitzalans recover their estate, but they failed to establish a peaceful reign during this time. Indeed they faced their most troubled times as rulers, mirroring the national situation for the Plantagents. There was significant conflict between the Welsh and the English, which saw the area and its castle sacked numerous times. This highlights the importance of the castle at this period as a military outpost, since in 1165, Henry himself adopted it as a base for his albeit disastrous campaign against Owain Gwynned. Similarly the year 1211 saw King John move against Llwelyn Fawr and North Wales and once more the castle came under attack. It is no surprise then that by 1270 the castle walls had been extended to embrace the town. Arguably it is this which further provoked Welsh resistance to English rule. In the 14th Century Owain Glyndwr emulated earlier patterns of hostility against symbols of English dominance as he attempted to establish himself as the rightful Prince of Wales. Ironically it was during such conflicts that the settlement began to to be seen as a potential trading establishment. It had its first Siarter Gwtta or Short Charter granted by William III at the end of the 12th Century. This awarded the area similar customs and liberties as the larger and already prosperous Shrewsbury. A second charter in 1263 saw this confirmed and culminated in 1399 with the granting of a Royal Charter. It has been suggested that this new found commercial status began to transform its status from an outpost to a neutral gateway. This idea can be reinforced with the offer in 1276, from Llywelyn ap Gruffyd to meet Edward I at the castle, rather than pay homage to him in London. Yet it remains that because Oswestry still required a fully fortified military base, it was some considerable time before it was able to shake off its original function. Oswestry Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Album Monasterium; Blancminster; Blankmouster; Croes Oswald; L'Oeuvre; L'uvre; Castle Loure; Castle Philip; Luure; Luvre

In the civil parish of Oswestry.
In the historic county of Shropshire (Modern Authority of Shropshire, 1974 county of Shropshire). Medieval motte and bailey castle possibly extant in 1086 surviving as an earthwork mound although the bailey is completely destroyed. Stone castle built in 1148 by Madoc ap Meredyth, in disrepair by late C15, and demolished between 1647 and 1673. Only fragments of medieval structure survive: 2 substantial pieces of collapsed masonry (probably from former shell keep) on top of levelled motte and the possible remains of a reconstructed bastion on east side; revetment wall around the base of the motte probably late C19 but re-using medieval masonry. This site has been described as a; Timber Castle Masonry Castle. The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain. Masonry footings remains.

William was made High Sheriff of Shropshire by King Stephen of England in 1137.

William Fitz Allan (1105-1160) from Wikipedia

William Fitz Allan (1105-1160) was a Norman noble, the eldest son of Alan fitz Flaad and the lord of Oswestry. William married Isabella de Say, the niece of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester.[1] William was appointed the High Sheriff of Shropshire by Adeliza of Louvain, the second wife of Henry I.[2]

During the Anarchy, William declared for the Empress Maud and in 1138 held Shrewsbury Castle for four weeks against King Stephen.[3] William escaped before the fall of the city, to accompany the Empress at the siege of Winchester Castle, spending the next fifteen years in exile before the return of Henry II to power in place of Stephen in 1153-4.[4]

William died 1160, leaving his lands to his son, also called William Fitz Allan.

Bibliography Brown, Reginald Allen. (1989) Castles From The Air. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521329323. Burke, John. (1831) A General and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerages of England, Ireland, and Scotland. London: Colburn and Bentley. Owen, Hugh and John Brickdale Blakeway. (1825) A History of Shrewsbury, Vol. I. London: Harding and Lepard.

References 

^ Brown, p.93. ^ Owen and Blakeway, p.77. ^ Owen and Blakeway, p.78. ^ Owen and Blakeway, p.79; Burke, p.197.

Notes: in the contest between Stephen and the Empress Maud, being then Governor of Shrewsbury and Sheriff of the county of Salop, held the castle at Shrewsbury for the latter, until it was taken by assault. He was also with the Empress at the siege of Winchester Castle, in the 6th year of Stephen, when she and her whole army were put to flight; afterwards, continuing to adhere stoutly to the same cause, he was reconstituted Sheriff of Salop, when King Henry attained the crown. In the 12th year of Henry II, upon the assessment, in aid of marrying the King's daughter, certified his knight's fees to be in number thirty-five and a half.

• http://knight-france.com/geneal/names/1467.htm

William fitz Alan, made High Sheriff of Shropshire by King Stephen of England in 1137, married a niece of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. William is ancestor of the FitzAlan Earls of Arundel.

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p511.htm#i5106 He married, secondly, Isabel de Say, daughter of Elias de Say. He married, firstly, Christian (?).

Child of William fitz Alan and Christian (?):

   Christian FitzAlan

Children of William fitz Alan and Isabel de Say:

   John FitzAlan d. 1240

   William Fitzalan b. c 1154, d. 1216

• This is a Pedigree for the Archbishops of Dol in Brittany France 'The earliest known person the lineage traces back to be a man named Hamo I, Viscount of Alet, France' who was born between 963-1023 AD.
• This show that Caradoc de la Boussac parents are unknown and the family of his son Withenoc wife's family.
• Reference: http://fmg.ac/phocadownload/userupload/foundations3/JN-03-01/061Dol...

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