William Chamberlayne

Awarded "Earl of Leicester" by King Henry II

First England born Chamberlain, the son of the Lord John, Earl de Tankerville, Normandy, France. He took the surname Chamberlayne, after his fathers position of Chamberlayne for King Henry II.

Chamberlayne was originally a title - the "Keeper of the Chamber" for a royal family. They kept royal records, served as tutors for the children and, in some cases, protected the royal treasure kept in the King's bedchamber!