Hugh of Chalcombe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugh of Chalcombe
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| Sheriff of Staffordshire | |
| In office 1194–1198 |
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| Monarch | Richard I of England |
Hugh of Chalcombe was an important English nobleman and a royal justice. He lived a long time ago, dying sometime after the year 1209. He was also known as Hugh de Chalcombe or Hugh of Chaucombe.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Hugh of Chalcombe was the heir to Matthew of Chalcombe. We don't know exactly how they were related. Hugh first appears in official records in 1168. At that time, he paid 30 pounds to take control of six "knight's fees." A knight's fee was land that provided enough income to support a knight.
Hugh's name suggests he was born in Chacombe in Northamptonshire. He definitely grew up there. In 1184, he had to pay a small fine of one mark to be freed from a promise he had made. A mark was a type of currency used back then.
Working for the King
Hugh of Chalcombe served as a royal justice from 1192 to 1194. A royal justice was like a judge who helped the king make sure laws were followed. In 1194, he also worked as an "itinerant justice." This meant he traveled around the country to hear legal cases.
From 1194 to 1198, Hugh was the High Sheriff of Staffordshire. A High Sheriff was a very important official. They were in charge of keeping the peace and collecting taxes for the king in a specific area.
When John of England became king, Hugh continued to serve him. He worked for the king in both England and Normandy, which is now part of France. He was a royal justice again. He also helped the king by checking official documents and attending the king's court. From 1205 to 1207, Hugh was put in charge of Kenilworth Castle. This was a royal castle, so it was a big responsibility.
Losing and Regaining Favor
Around 1206 or 1207, Hugh seemed to lose the king's trust. This might have happened because he didn't properly report money he earned in his jobs. He was told to give up control of Kenilworth Castle. He even faced accusations about owning cattle that weren't his.
To get back into the king's good graces, Hugh had to pay a large sum of 800 marks. This shows how important it was to stay on the king's side.
Family and Legacy
Hugh of Chalcombe was married to a woman named Hodierna de Lucerne. They had one son, Robert, and two daughters.
Hugh founded Chacombe Priory, which was a religious house for Augustinian canons. He started this priory during the time of King Henry II of England. In 1209, Hugh himself became a canon at Chacombe Priory. This meant he joined the religious community there.
His son, Robert, became his heir. In 1214, Robert was responsible for paying off his father's remaining debts to the king. One of Hugh's daughters married Hamund Passalewe, and the other married Ralph of Grafton.
See also
