Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Humphrey de Bohun
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| Earl of Hereford | |
Nineteenth-century drawing of effigy of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford, Hereford Cathedral
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| Born | c. 1276 |
| Died | 12 March 1322 (aged 45–46) Boroughbridge, England |
| Wars and battles | |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth of Rhuddlan |
| Issue | Margaret de Bohun Humphrey de Bohun Eleanor de Bohun, Countess of Ormonde John de Bohun, 5th Earl of Hereford Humphrey de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford Margaret de Bohun, Countess of Devon William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton Edward de Bohun Agnes Eneas de Bohun Isabel de Bohun |
| Father | Humphrey de Bohun, 3rd Earl of Hereford |
| Mother | Maud de Fiennes |
Humphrey de Bohun (born around 1276, died 12 March 1322) was an important person in medieval England. He belonged to a powerful family called the Anglo-Normans, who lived near the border with Wales, known as the Welsh Marches. Humphrey was one of the "Ordainers," a group of powerful nobles who tried to limit the power of King Edward II.
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Who Was Humphrey de Bohun?
Humphrey de Bohun was born around 1276 at Pleshey Castle in Essex, England. His father was Humphrey de Bohun, the 3rd Earl of Hereford, and his mother was Maud de Fiennes.
When his father passed away in 1298, Humphrey (the 4th Earl) inherited important titles. He became the Earl of Hereford and Earl of Essex. He also became the Constable of England. This was a very important job, like being the chief commander of the army. The Bohun family also had a special symbol, the "Bohun swan," which appeared on Humphrey's personal seal.
Humphrey's Role in Scotland
Humphrey de Bohun was part of many military campaigns in Scotland under King Edward I. In 1300, he helped lay siege to Caerlaverock Castle. He was also known for enjoying tournaments, which were like medieval sports competitions.
During one campaign, Humphrey left Scotland to attend a tournament in England. King Edward I was very angry about this, but Humphrey and the others were eventually forgiven. It's thought that Edward II, who was then a prince, might have given them permission to leave. Later, Humphrey became a strong opponent of Edward II.
Humphrey also had connections with Robert Bruce, who would become King of Scotland. They were close in age, and their families owned land near each other. After Robert Bruce's early defeats against England, Humphrey de Bohun was given many of Bruce's lands, including Lochmaben Castle.
Lochmaben Castle was later taken back by the Scots in 1312. It changed hands a few times over the years. Humphrey's son, William, held and defended it until his death in 1360.
The Battle of Bannockburn
The Battle of Bannockburn took place on June 23-24, 1314. As Constable of England, Humphrey de Bohun should have led the English army. However, King Edward II did not trust Humphrey after he had helped execute Piers Gaveston, a friend of the King. So, Edward II gave the command to a younger, less experienced noble.
On the first day of the battle, Humphrey insisted on being one of the first to charge with the cavalry. His young cousin, Henry de Bohun, bravely charged alone at Robert Bruce but was killed by Bruce's axe. Humphrey himself was not hurt.
On the second day, the English leader was killed early in the battle. Humphrey fought hard, leading many knights and archers. However, the Scottish army was well-organized, and the English lost the battle. Humphrey and other nobles retreated to Bothwell Castle, hoping to be safe. But the castle's governor switched sides and captured them.
Humphrey de Bohun was later set free in a famous prisoner exchange. King Edward II, who was Humphrey's brother-in-law, arranged for him to be traded for Robert Bruce's wife and daughter, along with other important Scottish prisoners.
The Ordainers and Royal Power
Like his ancestors, Humphrey de Bohun believed that the king should follow the rules set out in documents like the Magna Carta. This document helped protect the rights of nobles and limit the king's power. Humphrey was a leader of a group called the "Ordainers." They created a set of rules called the Ordinances of 1311 to try and control King Edward II's spending and his close friends, especially the Despenser family.
The Despensers, Hugh the elder and Hugh the younger, gained a lot of power and influence with King Edward II. This made Humphrey and other nobles very angry. Humphrey had a personal reason to oppose them: the Despensers had taken some of his lands and he felt they had dishonored him.
In 1316, Humphrey helped put down a revolt in Wales led by Llywelyn Bren. When Llywelyn surrendered, Humphrey promised to help him get a pardon. However, Hugh the younger Despenser had Llywelyn executed without a proper trial. Humphrey and other nobles used this event to show how unfair the Despensers were.
Death at Boroughbridge
The conflict between the nobles and the king led to another rebellion in 1322. The rebel forces were stopped at a wooden bridge in Boroughbridge, Yorkshire. On March 12, 1322, Humphrey de Bohun was killed while trying to storm the bridge.
Some historians believe that Humphrey may have suffered from depression, especially after his wife's death in 1316. This might have affected his decisions and contributed to the failure of the rebels' goals.
Humphrey's Family
Humphrey de Bohun married Elizabeth of Rhuddlan on November 14, 1302. Elizabeth was the daughter of King Edward I of England. They had many children, possibly as many as eleven.
The boys and possibly the girls in the family received a good education. They were taught by a Greek tutor named Master "Digines." Humphrey himself was known to be well-educated and enjoyed collecting books. His children, especially his son Humphrey and daughter Margaret, inherited these interests.
Here are some of their children:
- Margaret de Bohun (born 1302 – died 1304).
- Humphrey de Bohun (born 1303 – died 1304).
- Eleanor de Bohun (1304 – 1363), who married twice.
- John de Bohun, 5th Earl of Hereford (About 1307 – 1336).
- Humphrey de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford (About 1309 to 1311 – 1361).
- Margaret de Bohun (1311 – 1391), who married Hugh Courtenay. She had many children and lived to be eighty years old.
- William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton (About 1310–1312 –1360). He was a twin.
- Edward de Bohun (About 1310–1312 –1334). William's twin. He was a close friend of King Edward III and died trying to rescue a drowning soldier.
- Agnes (About 1313), who married Robert de Ferrers.
- Eneas de Bohun (died after 1322).
- Isabel de Bohun (born May 1316). She died shortly after birth, and her mother, Elizabeth, died during childbirth.
