Drogo de la Beuvrière facts for kids

Drogo de la Bouerer was a man from Flanders (a region in modern-day Belgium and France). He was a friend and supporter of William the Conqueror. After William won the Battle of Hastings and became King of England, he gave Drogo a lot of land. This land was mostly in an area called Holderness in northern England. Drogo built a castle there called Skipsea Castle.

Later, Drogo left England suddenly. This happened after a difficult situation involving his wife. He disappeared from history around 1087. His lands in England then became the property of Odo, Count of Champagne.

Who Was Drogo de la Bouerer?

Most of what we know about Drogo comes from old records. These include the Domesday Book and writings from Fountains Abbey and Meaux Abbey. The Domesday Book was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror. It recorded who owned what land in England.

Land and Power

After the Norman Conquest, Drogo became very powerful. The Domesday Book shows he owned almost all of Holderness. He was the lord of many smaller areas called manors there. He also owned land in other parts of England. These included Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, and Leicestershire.

Drogo gained much of his land from important Anglo-Saxon lords. One was Morcar of Northumbria. This shows how much William the Conqueror trusted and rewarded Drogo.

Building Skipsea Castle

The old writings from Meaux Abbey say that Drogo was from Flanders. They confirm that William the Conqueror gave him the area of Holderness. Drogo then built Skipsea Castle there. This castle was important for controlling his new lands.

Drogo's Disappearance

According to some historical accounts, Drogo had a serious problem with his wife. After this, he asked King William for permission to go back to Flanders. He also borrowed money from the King. Then, he left England by sea.

It was later discovered that Drogo had not been truthful with the King. King William tried to have Drogo arrested. However, Drogo was never caught. Because of this, all of Drogo's lands in Holderness were given to Odo, Count of Champagne. Odo became the new Lord of Holderness sometime before September 1087.