Waltheof de Senlis, Saint & Abbot of Melrose

Dictionary of National Biography “Waltheof (d. 1159) saint and abbot of Melrose”

The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy: B. Earls of Huntingdon (family of Simon de Senlis)

SIMON de Senlis [Saint Lis], son of RANOUL "le Riche" & his wife ____ (? - Priory of La Charité-sur-Loire [1111], bur Priory of La Charité-sur-Loire).

A manuscript narrating the foundation of St Andrew’s Priory, Northampton records that “duo fratres…Garnerius dictus le Ryche et Simon de Seynlyz filii Raundoel le Ryche” accompanied William “the Conqueror” to England[704].

He was created Earl of Huntingdon and Northampton in [1087/90] after his marriage, presumably de iure uxoris, although his late father-in-law's earldom must have been forfeited in [1075] implying that a new grant would have been necessary. He witnessed a charter to Bath Abbey as "Earl Simon" in 1090[705].

He built the castle of Northampton. “Symon et uxor mea Matildis” founded the St Andrew’s, Northampton by undated charter, subscribed by “…Johannis nepotis comitis…Symonis nepotis comitis, Warneri nepotis comitis…Petri nepotis comitis…”[706].

"…Symonis comitis…" subscribed a charter dated 14 Sep 1101 under which Henry I King of England donated property to Bath St Peter[707].

A manuscript narrating the foundation of St Andrew’s Priory, Northampton records that Simon died “apud Caritatem” while returning from a journey to “terram sanctam” and was buried there[708].

m ([1087/90]%29 as her first husband, MATILDA [Matilda] of Huntingdon, daughter of WALTHEOF Earl of Huntingdon and Northumberland & his wife Judith de Lens [Boulogne] ([1071/76] -- [23 Apr 1130/22 Apr 1131], bur Scone Abbey, Perthshire). Ingulph's Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland records the marriage of Matilda eldest daughter of Judith and "Earl Simon[709]. She married secondly (1113) David of Scotland Prince of Cumbria, who succeeded in 1124 as David I King of Scotland.

Orderic Vitalis records that David King of Scotland married “filiam...Guallevi comitis et Judith consobrinæ regis” who brought him “binosque comitatus Northamtonæ et Huntendonæ” which “Simon Silvanectensis comes” had possessed with her[710].

Robert of Torigny records that the wife of "David [rex Scotiæ] frater [Alexandri]" was "filiam Gallevi comitis et Judith consobrini regis", naming "Symon Silvanectensis comes" as her first husband[711].

"Matilde comitisse, Henrico filio comitis…" witnessed the charter dated to [1120] under which "David comes filius Malcolmi Regis Scottorum" founded the abbey of Selkirk[712].

"Matildis comitissa…" witnessed inquisitions by "David…Cumbrensis regionis princeps", dated 1124, concerning land owned by the church of Glasgow[713].

Earl Simon & his wife had four children:

1. SIMON de Senlis (-Aug 1153, bur St Andrew's Priory). Ingulph's Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland names "Simon, Waldev and Matilda" as the children of Simon Earl of Huntingdon and his wife Matilda, commenting that they "are still young and in their infancy"[714]. He was restored as Earl of Huntingdon and Northampton [before 1141]. - see below

2. WALTHEOF de Senlis (-3 Aug 1159[715]).
Ingulph's Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland names "Simon, Waldev and Matilda" as the children of Simon Earl of Huntingdon and his wife Matilda, commenting that they "are still young and in their infancy"[716].

"…Waldef filio Reginæ…" witnessed a charter dated to [1128] by which "David…Rex Scottorum" made grants to the church of St John in the castle of Roxburgh[717].

Prior of Kirkham

A manuscript narrating the foundation of Thornton Abbey records that it was founded in 1139 by “Willielmus Grose comes Albermarliæ”, and that “cognati sui Wallevi, prioris de Kyrkham…fratris Simonis comitis Northamtoniæ” arranged the arrival of the first monks[718].

The relationship between the two was through Judith de Lens, maternal grandmother of Waltheof, who was uterine sister of Guillaume’s father. The Vita et Passio Waldevi Comitis names “Simonem, Waldevum et Matildam” as the children of “comes…Simon…ex Mathilda comitissa”, adding that Waltheof was "postea…abbas de Malros"[719].

The Chronicle of Melrose records that he was installed as second abbot of Melrose in 1148[720].

3. MATILDA de Senlis (-[1157/63]). Ingulph's Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland names "Simon, Waldev and Matilda" as the children of Simon Earl of Huntingdon and his wife Matilda, commenting that they "are still young and in their infancy"[721].

A manuscript narrating the foundation of Daventre priory records that “Symonis de Seynliz” had two sisters “quarum una…Matildis Seynliz” married “Robertus filius Ricardi”[722].

A manuscript history of the foundation of Dunmow Priory records the marriage in 1112 of “Robertus filius Ricardi” and “Matildam de Sancto Lisio”, although the dating of events in this source appears shaky[723].

The Complete Peerage records her second marriage, citing Hatton’s Book of Seals for “proof of this marriage”, and in a later passage that “her charter of dower lands in Essex and London, bearing her seal, is witnessed by her sons Walter FitzRobert and Saher”[724].

The 1157/58 Pipe Roll records "Matildi de Seinliz" in Essex and Hertfordshire under "Nova Placita & Noue Conuentiones", suggesting that this related to her dower land soon after the death of her husband[725].

A manuscript history of the foundation of Dunmow Priory records the death in 1140 of “Matildis de Sancto Licio uxor Roberti filii Ricardi”, although the dating of events in this source appears shaky[726].

m firstly ([1112]%29 ROBERT FitzRichard de Clare Lord of Dunmow, son of RICHARD Lord of Clare and Tonbridge & his wife Rohese Giffard (? - [1134], bur Priory of St Neot).

m secondly (1136) SAHER [I] de Quincy, son of ____ (? - [1156/58]).

4. daughter. A manuscript narrating the foundation of Daventre priory records that “Symonis de Seynliz” had two sisters “quarum una…Matildis Seynliz” married “Robertus filius Ricardi”, but does not name the second sister[727].