Maud of Gloucester, Countess of Chester facts for kids

Maud of Gloucester (died 29 July 1189) was an important noblewoman in England. She was also known as Matilda. Maud was the daughter of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. Her father was a son of King Henry I of England. Her mother was Mabel FitzRobert of Gloucester. Maud married Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester and became the Countess of Chester.

Family Life

Maud of Gloucester was born a long time ago, but we don't know the exact date. Her parents were Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester and Mabel FitzRobert of Gloucester. She had seven brothers and sisters. Some of her siblings included William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester and Roger, Bishop of Worcester.

Her grandparents on her father's side were King Henry I of England and one of his partners. Her grandparents on her mother's side were Robert Fitzhamon, a powerful lord, and Sybil de Montgomery.

Marriage and Important Events

Maud married Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester sometime before 1141. When she married him, she became the Countess of Chester. Her husband, Earl Ranulf, had a lot of power in his area, which was called a "palatine earldom."

In January 1141, Maud and her husband were at Lincoln Castle. King Stephen of England and his army surrounded the castle. The next month, Maud's father, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, led an army to help them. They fought King Stephen's forces in a big battle, known as the First Battle of Lincoln. King Stephen was captured during this fight.

After the battle, Maud's father made her husband promise to support Empress Matilda. Empress Matilda was Maud's father's half-sister and was also trying to become queen.

Later, in 1146, King Stephen captured Earl Ranulf. But after 1151, King Stephen gave Ranulf the castle and city of Lincoln.

Maud's Children

Maud and Ranulf had several children:

• Hugh de Kevelioc, 5th Earl of Chester (born 1147 – died 1181). He married Bertrade de Montfort and they had five children. These included Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester and Matilda of Chester, Countess of Huntingdon.
• Richard of Chester (died between 1170 and 1175). He was buried in Coventry.
• Beatrice of Chester. She married Raoul de Malpas.
• Ranulf of Chester. He fought in a battle in Lisbon, Portugal. He was given land there by the king of Portugal.
• Alice. She married Richard FitzGilbert de Clare.

After her husband died, Maud helped raise their young son for nine years. She was also a supporter of religious places. She gave money and land to Repton Priory and Belvoir Priory.

Maud died on 29 July 1189.

Images for kids

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  Lincoln Castle where Maud was during a siege in 1141