Hawise, Countess of Aumale facts for kids

Hawise, Countess of Aumale, was an important noblewoman in England. She was a "ruling" countess, meaning she held the title and lands of Aumale in her own right. This was from 1179 until 1194, alongside her husbands.

Hawise was the daughter and only heir of William, Count of Aumale. Her mother was Cicely. When Hawise married William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex, she also became the Countess of Essex.

Life of Countess Hawise

Hawise was already a countess when she married William, Earl of Essex, on January 14, 1180. When William died in late 1189, Hawise became a widow. A writer at the time, Richard of Devizes, described her as a very strong and capable woman.

Besides her own lands in Normandy and England, Hawise also received a large part of her first husband's estates. These lands included the Honour of Holderness in Yorkshire.

Second Marriage

After being a widow for less than a year, Hawise married again. Her second husband was William de Forz from Oleron. He was a commander in the navy of King Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart. It is believed that King Richard himself arranged this marriage for Hawise.

Hawise and William de Forz had a son, who was also named William. He would later become her heir. Her second husband, William de Forz, died in 1195.

Third Marriage and Later Life

King Richard then arranged another marriage for Hawise. Her third husband was Baldwin de Béthune. Baldwin was a close friend of King Richard. He had traveled with the King on a crusade and was even held captive with him.

Baldwin had served King Henry II, Richard's father, as an ambassador. In 1179, Baldwin and Hawise's first husband, William de Mandeville, had escorted King Philip Augustus to visit the tomb of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury.

King Henry II had promised Baldwin a marriage to a wealthy heiress. King Richard fulfilled this promise by arranging his marriage to Hawise, who was even wealthier. However, their enjoyment of her lands in Normandy did not last long. King Philip Augustus of France took control of Aumale in August 1196, and it remained under French rule.

Baldwin de Béthune died in October 1212. When King John suggested a fourth husband for Hawise, she refused. She paid a large sum of money to the King to keep her inherited lands and to avoid being forced to marry again. By September 1213, she had already paid a significant portion of this amount. Hawise died on March 11, 1214.

See also

In Spanish: Hawise de Aumale para niños