Herbert of Winchester facts for kids

Herbert of Winchester (sometimes called Herbert fitzAlberic) was an important nobleman in England after the Norman Conquest. This was a time when William the Conqueror and his Norman followers took control of England. Herbert was a powerful figure who worked for the king.

Herbert's Important Jobs

Herbert held land from the Archbishop of York. This was recorded in the Domesday Book, a huge survey of England made in 1089.

He had several important jobs for the kings of England:

• Under King William II of England, Herbert was the chamberlain of the Winchester treasury. A chamberlain was like a manager of the king's money and household.
• Under King Henry I, he became the chancellor and treasurer. A chancellor was a high-ranking official, often in charge of royal documents. A treasurer managed the kingdom's money.

Herbert also became a tenant-in-chief during William II's reign. This means he held his lands directly from the king, which was a very important position.

His Family Life

Herbert married a woman named Emma. Many historical records say Emma was the half-sister of King Stephen and Henry of Blois, who was the Bishop of Winchester. They believed her father was Stephen II, Count of Blois.

However, newer studies suggest that Emma might have been the daughter of Hunger fitzOdin. He was another landowner mentioned in the Domesday Book for lands in Dorset.

Herbert had two sons, both named Herbert and William. His son William later became a very important church leader, the Archbishop of York. The younger Herbert followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a chamberlain for King David I of Scotland around 1156.

When Herbert Died

Herbert of Winchester likely died sometime between 1129 and 1130. We know this because the Pipe Roll of 1130 shows his son had to pay a large amount of money to inherit his father's lands. This payment was over 353 marks, which was a huge sum back then.

Some historians think Herbert might have died earlier, possibly around 1118. A writer named Abbot Suger mentioned a royal official, a chamberlain whose name started with "H", who tried to harm King Henry I in 1118. This official was punished by the king. Another historian, William of Malmesbury, also wrote about this event, saying the person in question was in charge of the royal treasury.

Historian C. Warren Hollister suggested that "H. the Chamberlain" was Herbert of Winchester. This is because Herbert was the only chamberlain during King Henry I's reign whose name started with "H". However, most records show Herbert remained in his important jobs until close to 1129 or 1130. Still, other documents suggest his son might have inherited his lands even before 1121.