Edmund de Lacy, Baron of Pontefract facts for kids
Edmund de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln (born around 1230, died 1258) was a very important person in Northern England. He owned a lot of land and castles. One of his key places was Pontefract Castle, which was a strong fortress. He also had a special estate called Stanbury, which was important for travel and trade across the country.
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Who Was Edmund de Lacy?
Edmund de Lacy was the son of John de Lacy. His father was a powerful baron and was one of the 25 barons who made King John sign the famous Magna Carta in 1215. The Magna Carta was a very important document that limited the king's power and protected the rights of people.
Edmund's mother was Margaret de Quincy. She was also a very important person in her own right, holding the title of Countess of Lincoln.
Was He an Earl?
It's a bit tricky to say if Edmund de Lacy was officially an Earl of Lincoln. He died before his mother, who held the title. However, he did die after his father.
Even though he might not have been formally given the title, many people at the time called him the Earl of Lincoln. He also controlled the lands and wealth that came with being an Earl. So, even if it wasn't official, he acted like an Earl and was seen as one. He also signed documents as the Constable of Chester, which was another important family title.
A Knight's Tournament
Edmund de Lacy was a knight, and he was known to lead groups of other knights. Sometime between 1248 and his death, he led about twenty knights to a tournament. A tournament was a medieval event where knights would compete in mock battles and jousting contests. It was a way for knights to show off their skills and bravery.
We know about one of these trips because a knight who hosted Edmund wrote a letter. The letter asked his manager to prepare for Edmund and his knights, who were traveling to a tournament near Blyth. This shows how important Edmund was, as knights would host him and his large group.
Edmund's Important Role
When Edmund's father passed away in 1240, Edmund inherited many important titles. He became the 9th Baron of Halton and the 9th Constable of Chester. He also became the feudal baron of Pontefract and the Lord of Bowland.
Because he was still young (under 21), he officially became a "ward" of the king. This meant the king was in charge of his lands and upbringing until he was old enough. However, Edmund was allowed to take control of his inheritance when he was only 18 years old, which was earlier than usual. He grew up at the royal court with King Henry III and Queen Eleanor of Provence.
Marriage and Family
While growing up at the royal court, Edmund de Lacy met Alésia of Saluzzo (also known as Alice de Saluces). She came from a noble family in Italy. They got married in May 1247 at Woodstock Palace. This marriage was part of a plan to connect important families in England with those from other parts of Europe.
Edmund and Alésia had at least one important child:
Death and Burial
Edmund de Lacy died on June 2, 1258. He was buried at Stanlow Abbey. This abbey was a special place for his family, as it had been founded by his grandfather, John fitz Richard.
