Humphrey de Bohun, 2nd Earl of Hereford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Humphrey de Bohun
Earl of Hereford Earl of Essex
Arms of de Bohun: Azure, a bend argent cotised or between six lions rampant of the last
Other titles	Constable of England
Born	1204
Died	24 September 1275

Humphrey IV de Bohun (born 1204, died 1275) was an important English nobleman and soldier. He held the titles of Earl of Hereford and Earl of Essex. He also had the special job of Constable of England, which was passed down in his family.

Humphrey's Family Background

Humphrey was the oldest son of Henry de Bohun, 1st Earl of Hereford. His mother was Maud de Mandeville. She was the daughter of Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex. This meant Humphrey inherited important titles from both sides of his family.

Humphrey's Role in English History

Humphrey de Bohun was a very important person in his time. He was one of the nine godfathers to Prince Edward, who later became King Edward I. This shows how close he was to the royal family.

Serving as Sheriff

For a year, from 1239 to 1240, Humphrey worked as the Sheriff of Kent. A sheriff was like a top law enforcement officer in a county.

Joining the Barons' Cause

In 1258, Humphrey returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After this, he decided to support a group of powerful nobles called the barons. These barons wanted to change how the country was run. Humphrey was chosen to be part of a special "committee of twenty-four." This committee was set up in the Oxford Parliament to create new rules called the Provisions of Oxford. These rules aimed to reform the government.

Shifting Loyalties

Later, Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, a leader of the barons, made an agreement with Llywelyn ap Gruffudd from North Wales. This made Humphrey change his mind and support the king again.

In 1263, Humphrey led a group of nobles from the Welsh Marches (areas near the Welsh border) away from the barons' party. He was captured by Montfort's supporters at the Battle of Lewes in 1264.

Victory and Loss

Humphrey was among the winners at the Battle of Evesham in 1265. This battle ended the power of Simon de Montfort. Sadly, Humphrey's oldest son, Humphrey V de Bohun, was badly wounded and died soon after this battle.

After the war, Humphrey was chosen as one of twelve people to create the Dictum of Kenilworth in 1266. This agreement allowed rebels who had lost their lands to get them back if they made peace with the king.

Humphrey's Family Life

Humphrey de Bohun was married twice and had several children.

First Marriage

Around 1236, he married Maud de Lusignan. She passed away in 1241 and was buried in Gloucester. They had several children, including:

• Humphrey V de Bohun (died 1265): He was Humphrey's oldest son and was expected to inherit his titles. However, he died before his father. Because of this, the earldom later went to his son, Humphrey VI de Bohun.
• Henry de Bohun
• Geoffrey de Bohun
• Ralph de Bohun: He became a cleric (a church official).
• Maud de Bohun: She married twice. Her first husband was Anselm Marshal, 6th Earl of Pembroke. Her second was Roger de Quincy, 2nd Earl of Winchester.
• Alice de Bohun: She married Roger V de Toeni.
• Eleanor de Bohun: She married Sir John de Verdun.

Second Marriage

Humphrey later married Maud de Avenbury. She died in 1273. They had two more sons:

• John de Bohun
• Sir Miles de Bohun

Death and Burial

Humphrey IV de Bohun died in 1275 in Warwickshire. He was buried at Llanthony Secunda in Gloucester. His grandson, Humphrey VI de Bohun, inherited his titles.