Elizabeth of Vermandois, Countess of Leicester facts for kids

Elizabeth of Vermandois (born around 1085 – died 1131) was an important French noblewoman. Through her two marriages, she became the mother of several powerful English earls. Her children included the 1st Earl of Worcester, the 2nd Earl of Leicester, and the 3rd Earl of Surrey. She was also the grandmother of the 4th Earl of Warwick.

It is believed that Elizabeth was the reason for the famous checkered shield design. This design, with gold and blue squares, became popular in England around the early 1200s. It was one of the first special shield patterns to appear.

Family Background

Elizabeth was the third daughter of Hugh I, Count of Vermandois (1057–1102). Her father was also known as "Hugh Magnus" or "Hugh the Great." He was the younger son of Henry I of France, who was the King of France.

Elizabeth's mother was Adelaide of Vermandois. Adelaide was the daughter of Herbert IV, Count of Vermandois and Adele of Valois. This meant Elizabeth was connected to two very old and important royal families. She was related to the Capetian dynasty through her father and the Carolingian family through her mother.

First Marriage and Family

The famous checkered shield design, with gold and blue squares. This design was possibly first used by Elizabeth's brother, Ralph, Count of Vermandois. Elizabeth then passed on similar designs to her children.

Elizabeth married two important Anglo-Norman noblemen. Her first husband was Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, Count of Meulan (died 1118). They had twin sons and several daughters together.

In 1096, Robert de Beaumont wanted to marry Elizabeth. He was over fifty years old, and Elizabeth was very young. A bishop at the time, Bishop Ivo, tried to stop the marriage. He said they were too closely related, which was against church rules back then.

However, Elizabeth's father, Hugh, was able to get special permission from Pope Urban. The Pope allowed the marriage to happen in April 1096. After this, her father left to join a Crusade.

Robert de Beaumont was a very important nobleman. He inherited land in France and became famous for fighting in battles. He was one of the commanders at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He was rewarded with many lands in England. Robert was also known as one of King Henry I of England's "wise advisors." He became the Earl of Leicester in 1107.

Elizabeth and Robert de Beaumont had three sons and five daughters:

• Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (born 1104, twin). He married and had children.
• Waleran de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Worcester, Count of Meulan (born 1104, twin). He also married and had children.
• Hugh de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Bedford (born around 1106). He later lost his earldom but had children.
• Adeline de Beaumont (born around 1107). She married Hugh IV, 4th Lord of Montfort-sur-Risle, and later Richard de Granville.
• Aubree de Beaumont (born around 1109). She married Hugh II of Châteauneuf-en-Thimerais.
• Maud de Beaumont (born around 1111). She married William Lovel.
• Isabel de Beaumont (born after 1102). She first married Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and later Hervé de Montmorency.

Second Marriage and Family

Elizabeth married her second husband, William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey, soon after her first husband died in 1118. William had tried to marry a princess named Matilda of Scotland in 1093, but she later married King Henry I.

Elizabeth lived longer than her second husband.

Elizabeth and William de Warenne had three sons and two daughters:

• William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey (1119–1148). He was their oldest son and inherited his father's title.
• Ralph de Warenne.
• Reginald de Warenne. He inherited his father's lands in Upper Normandy, including castles like Bellencombre. He had a son named William de Warenne.
• Gundred de Warenne. She first married Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick, who was her mother's first husband's nephew. They had a son named William de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Warwick. Gundred later married William de Lancaster.
• Ada de Warenne (died around 1178). She married Henry of Scotland, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, who was the younger son of King David I of Scotland. Ada had two sons who became kings of Scotland: Malcolm IV of Scotland and William the Lion. Because of this, she is sometimes called the "Queen mother of Scotland."