John Maltravers, 1st Baron Maltravers facts for kids
John Maltravers, 1st Baron Maltravers (born around 1290, died 1364), was an important English nobleman and soldier. His family's coat of arms was a black shield with a golden criss-cross pattern.
He was the son of Sir John Maltravers from Lytchett Matravers in Dorset. He was knighted in 1306, at the same time as Edward, Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward II. Some say he was captured during the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
In 1318, Maltravers became a representative for Dorset in Parliament. He often supported Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, who was against King Edward II. He was also a close friend of Roger Mortimer. In 1321, he received a pardon for his actions against the Despensers, who were powerful favorites of the king. However, by December, he was seen as an enemy of the king. In 1322, he took up arms against the king and was involved in attacks, including one on Bridgnorth. He was at the Battle of Boroughbridge. After Earl Thomas was executed, Maltravers left England.
Looking After the King
Maltravers returned to England in 1326 with Roger Mortimer and Queen Isabella. He got his lands back in 1327. On April 3, he was chosen as one of the people to look after the king, Edward II, who had been removed from power. His brother-in-law, Thomas de Berkeley, was the other keeper. While some old writings suggest Maltravers was involved in King Edward II's death, many historians today do not believe this. Maltravers and Berkeley stayed with the king's body until it was buried in Gloucester.
For the next few years, Maltravers worked on special legal tasks. He helped investigate people who had supported Henry, Earl of Lancaster, in a planned uprising. He also served as a judge for the royal forests and became the keeper of forests south of the River Trent in 1329. His pardon was confirmed because of his services to Queen Isabella and the new king, Edward III. In May 1329, he traveled to France with the young King Edward III. The next year, he was in charge of the royal household.
Time in Exile
Maltravers was involved in the death of Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, in March 1330. He was also part of a group looking for the Earl's supporters. On June 5, 1330, he was called to Parliament as Baron Maltravers. He was made constable of Corfe Castle on September 24. However, when Roger Mortimer lost power soon after, Maltravers, like other supporters of Queen Isabella, fell out of favor. In November, Parliament declared him a traitor because of his role in the Earl of Kent's death. Orders were given to arrest him, but he managed to escape to Germany.
While in Flanders, Maltravers became wealthy. But he lost his fortune during the troubles after the death of Jacob van Artevelde, a famous leader. When King Edward III came to Flanders in July 1345, Maltravers met him and asked to return to England. He argued that he had been judged without being heard. Because of the help he had given the king in Flanders, he was allowed to return to England in August.
Later Life and Family
It took some time for Maltravers's pardon to be fully confirmed, as he was often abroad on business. But his protection was renewed in 1347. In June 1348, he was sent on missions to Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres. He finally got his full title and lands back on February 8, 1352. He was also in charge of the Channel Islands in 1351. He helped rebuild a hospital in Guernsey in 1351. Maltravers passed away on February 16, 1364, and was buried in Lytchett.
John Maltravers was married twice.
- His first wife was Milicent de Berkeley. They had a son named John Maltravers, who died before his father. This younger John had three children:
- Henry Maltravers, who also died before his grandfather.
- Joan Maltravers, who married twice but had no children.
- Eleanor Maltravers, who became the 2nd Baroness Maltravers. She married John Fitzalan. Their grandson, John FitzAlan, later became the 6th Earl of Arundel. Over time, the title of Baron Maltravers became linked with the Earldom of Arundel. Today, the Duke of Norfolk still holds this title.
- His second wife was Agnes Bereford. She had been married twice before. She was buried in London.
In Stories
Maltravers is a character in Les Rois maudits (The Accursed Kings), a series of French historical novels by Maurice Druon. He has been played by actors in TV adaptations of the books.
