Feudal barony of Curry Mallet facts for kids
The feudal barony of Curry Mallet was a large area of land controlled by a powerful lord in medieval England. It was like a mini-kingdom, with its main castle, called the caput, at Curry Mallet in Somerset. This castle was about 7 miles east of Taunton.
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Who Owned Curry Mallet?
The ownership of the Curry Mallet barony changed hands over many years. It passed down through different important families.
The de Courcelles Family
The first known lords of Curry Mallet were the de Courcelles family. They came from a place called Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandy, France.
- William de Courcelles: He is mentioned in records right after the Norman Conquest of 1066. This was when William the Conqueror took over England.
- Roger de Courcelles: William's powerful son. He was the main lord of Curry Mallet in 1086. His name is in the Domesday Book, which was a huge survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. Roger owned many other estates across Somerset.
- Waldric de Courcelles: Roger's son. He was present when important royal documents were signed around 1103.
The Malet Family
After the de Courcelles family, the Malet family took control of Curry Mallet. We don't know exactly how they became the lords, but it happened before 1135.
- Robert Malet: He is the first Malet lord mentioned in connection with Curry Mallet. He was active around 1130.
- William I Malet: Robert's heir, who died in 1169.
- Gilbert Malet: William I's heir, who died in 1194.
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- William II Malet: Gilbert's heir, who died around 1216. He was a very important person in English history. William II Malet was one of the barons who helped create the Magna Carta in 1215. The Magna Carta was a famous document that limited the power of the king.
William II Malet had no sons. So, when he died, his three daughters shared his lands:
- Bertha Malet: She inherited one-third of her father's lands but died without marrying.
- Helewise Malet: She inherited one-third of the lands. She married Hugh I Poyntz. Later, her share increased to half of the barony.
- Mabel Malet: She also inherited one-third of the lands. Her share later increased to half. She married Hugh de Vivonia.
Because the barony was split between Helewise and Mabel, it was then divided into two halves, or "moieties."
The Poyntz Family's Half
The Poyntz family gained control of one half of the Curry Mallet barony through Helewise Malet.
- Hugh I Poyntz: He married Helewise Malet, who brought half of the barony into their family.
- Nicholas I Poyntz: Hugh I's son, who died in 1273.
- Hugh II Poyntz: Nicholas I's son, who died in 1307. He was a powerful lord and held his half of the barony by providing one knight for the king's service. He was also one of the barons who signed the Barons' Letter to the Pope in 1301. In this letter, he was called "Lord of Curry Mallet."
- Nicholas II Poyntz: Hugh II's heir, who died in 1311. He married twice. His second marriage led to the very important Poyntz family of Iron Acton.
- Hugh III Poyntz: Nicholas II's son from his first marriage, who died in 1337.
- Nicholas Poyntz: Hugh III's son, who died in 1368. He had no sons, so his two daughters inherited his lands:
- Margaret Poyntz: She married Sir John Newburghe.
- Amicia Poyntz: She married John Barry.
The de Vivonia/de Forz Family's Half
The other half of the Curry Mallet barony went to the de Vivonia (also known as de Forz) family through Mabel Malet.
- Hugh de Vivonia: He married Mabel Malet, who brought the other half of the barony into their family. He died in 1249.
- William de Vivonia/de Forz: Hugh's son, who died in 1259. He had no sons, so his four young daughters became his heirs:
- Joan de Vivonia/de Forz: She inherited one-eighth of the barony.
- Sibyl de Vivonia/de Forz: She also inherited one-eighth of the barony.
- Mabel de Vivonia/de Forz: She inherited one-eighth of the barony.
- Cecily de Vivonia/de Forz: She inherited one-eighth of the barony and married John de Beauchamp, another important feudal baron.
