Hugh de Beauchamp (sheriff) facts for kids

Hugh de Beauchamp was an important Norman nobleman. He lived in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Hugh held a lot of land and served as a local official called a sheriff. He lived until after the year 1100.

Who Was Hugh de Beauchamp?

Hugh de Beauchamp was likely from a place called Beauchamps in Normandy, France. It might have been Beauchamps in Manche or perhaps in Calvados. It's important to know that this Hugh is not connected to the famous Beauchamp family. That family later became very powerful and acquired the Earldom of Warwick.

Hugh's Important Roles

Hugh de Beauchamp was a powerful tenant-in-chief. This means he held land directly from the King. He had many landholdings in Bedfordshire. Because of these lands, he is thought to be the first feudal baron of Bedford. A feudal baron was a major landowner who owed loyalty and military service to the King.

Lands and the Domesday Book

Around 1086, a huge survey was done across England. This survey was called the Domesday Book. It recorded who owned what land. According to the Domesday Book, Hugh held 43 manors in Bedfordshire. He also owned land in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Most of Hugh's lands had belonged to other people before the Norman Conquest. These included Eskil of Ware and other local landowners.

Serving as Sheriff

Hugh also served as a sheriff. A sheriff was a very important local official. They were like the King's representative in a county. Sheriffs collected taxes and made sure laws were followed.

Hugh signed a document for King William the Conqueror. This happened sometime between 1070 and 1089. In this document, he was called "sheriff." It's not completely clear if he was sheriff of Buckinghamshire or Bedfordshire. Many historians believe he was the sheriff of Buckinghamshire. He also appears as sheriff of Buckinghamshire in documents from the time of King William II.

Family and Later Life

Hugh de Beauchamp lived into the reign of King Henry I. Henry's queen, Matilda, gave a manor to Hugh. This gift happened between 1100 and 1118. In March 1101, Hugh also helped King Henry I. He was a guarantor for Henry in a treaty with Robert II, Count of Flanders.

Hugh was married to a woman named Matilda. She was probably the daughter of Ralf Tallebosc. Ralf was sheriff of Buckinghamshire before Hugh. Hugh and Matilda likely had two sons. Their names were Simon and Robert. Simon was probably the older son. Matilda is mentioned as Simon's mother in a document from around 1124 to 1130.