Brictric facts for kids
Brictric was an important and powerful Saxon nobleman, also known as a thegn. He owned many lands, mostly in the western part of England, which are all listed in a famous old book called the Domesday Book from 1086.
Contents
Brictric's Story
Early Life and a Queen's Revenge
Stories from old writings say that when Brictric was a young man, he turned down Matilda of Flanders. She later became the wife of King William the Conqueror. Years later, when Matilda was ruling England as a regent (meaning she was ruling for the King), she used her power. She took away all of Brictric's lands and put him in prison. Brictric died while he was in prison.
A historian named Samuel Lysons mentioned that a woman named Godeva was Brictric's widow. She owned two manors in Devon after his death.
What Happened to Brictric's Lands?
After Queen Matilda died in 1083, her oldest son, King William Rufus, gave Brictric's lands to Robert FitzHamon. Robert FitzHamon was famous for conquering a place called Glamorgan.
Robert FitzHamon had a daughter named Maud (or Mabel) FitzHamon. She was his only heir. When she married Robert de Caen, Brictric's lands became part of her husband's property. Robert de Caen was a son of King Henry I. This is how Brictric's large landholdings became known as the feudal barony of Gloucester.
Brictric's Landholdings
Brictric owned many manors (large estates with a village and land) in different parts of England, especially in the West Country. In the Domesday Book, he is usually just called "Brictric." It's hard to know for sure if every "Brictric" mentioned is him. However, if the land later went to Queen Matilda or the feudal barony of Gloucester, it's very likely it belonged to this Brictric.
The feudal barony of Gloucester was one of the biggest in the kingdom. By 1166, it included 279 knight's fees. A knight's fee was a piece of land that could support one knight.
Lands in Devon
The Domesday Book clearly lists Brictric's lands in Devon. They are found under a Latin heading that means: "Below are written the lands Brictric held, later Queen Matilda." These lands include:
- Northlew (called Levia back then)
- Halwill (called Halgewelle)
- Clovelly (called Clovelie)
- Bideford (called Bedeford)
- Littleham (called Liteham)
- Langtree (called Langetrev)
- Iddesleigh (called Edeslege)
- Winkleigh (called Wincheleie)
- Ashreigney (called Aisse)
- Lapford (called Slapeford)
- High Bickington (called Bichentone)
- Morchard Bishop (called Morchet)
- Holcombe Burnell (called Holecu_be)
- Halberton (called Halsbretone)
- Ashprington (called Aisbertone)
