Sir Robert Knollys

During the Hundred Years War between England and France, he was judged « ...the most able and skillful man-at-arms in all the companies » He had risen from the ranks in the breton wars and fought with the Thirty, gaining knighthood along the way. The French recorded him as Sir Robert Canole (and Cannolles), who “grievously harmed France all the days of his life”. (There is a place called Cahagnolles 15 km south of Bayeux).

According to “The White Company” and “The Dictionary of Chivalry” by Grand Uden, Sir Robert began his mercenary life within the English White Company led by Nigel Loring and Sir John Harwood. Sir Robert and Sir Hugh later left the ranks to raid the marches of Navarre.

Barbara Tuchman wrote in her book “A Distant Mirror”:

The object of Sir Robert Knolly’s savage raid through northern France in 1370 was to do as much injury as possible in order to damage the French war effort and hold back French forces from Acquitane.

And: Edward Plantagenet “The Black Prince” (d. 1376) appointed him Captain of Knights and Squires of his personal household.

In his later years, Sir Robert spent much of his wealth on charity work, including building a “goodly fair bridge” over the River Medway at Rochester and a hospital in Rome for English travellers and religious pilgrims.

The family coat of arms includes a red shield on which a silver chevron is emblazoned with three Tudor roses.

The crest of the shield is a silver elephant.

The famly motto is “In utrumque paratus”.