Maurice Russell, knight facts for kids
Sir Maurice Russell (born 1356 – died 1416) was an important English knight and landowner during the Middle Ages. He was known for his influence in Gloucestershire, a county in England. He held many important jobs, including being a Justice of the Peace, a Sheriff, and a Knight of the Shire (which means he was a Member of Parliament) for Gloucestershire.
Sir Maurice came from a very old family. He owned a lot of land across several counties in England. After his death, most of his lands went to his daughters from his first marriage.
Growing Up and Family Life
Sir Maurice Russell was the son of Ralph Russell and his wife Alice. When he was only 13 years old, in 1369, he married Isabel Childrey. She was the daughter of Sir Edmund Childrey.
Maurice's father, Ralph Russell, passed away in 1375. Maurice was 19 at the time, which was still considered young. Because he was not yet 21, his care and lands were looked after by Sir Robert Assheton, a relative.
When Maurice turned 21 in 1377, he took control of his family's lands. This happened after his two older brothers had passed away. He also inherited more lands from his distant cousin, Sir Robert Assheton, in 1384.
Public Service and Influence
Sir Maurice Russell was knighted between June and December 1385. This meant he was given the title "Sir" and was a respected member of society. He held many important positions in government.
In December 1385, he was appointed as a tax collector for Gloucestershire. He served in this role again in 1388. He also sold some of his lands to William of Wykeham, a powerful Bishop, to help found New College, Oxford, a famous university.
Sir Maurice was a very wealthy man. Records from 1412 show that his lands brought him a large income each year. He was removed from his role as Coroner of Gloucestershire in 1394 because he didn't live in the county all the time.
He was a supporter of King Richard II. His younger daughter even married William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, a close friend of the King. However, when King Richard II was overthrown by Henry Bolingbroke in 1399, Sir Maurice continued to serve the new King.
He was elected as a Knight of the Shire (Member of Parliament) for Gloucestershire in 1402 and 1404. In 1403, King Henry IV asked him to help find the best fighting men from the region. These men were needed to fight against the Welsh rebels led by Owain Glyndŵr.
Sir Maurice also served as Sheriff of Gloucestershire four times. He was a Justice of the Peace from 1394 to 1407.
Family and Legacy
Later in life, before 1412, Sir Maurice Russell married his second wife, Joan Dauntsey. She was much younger than him, about 17 years old. Sir Maurice passed away in 1416.
Sir Maurice had two daughters from his first marriage to Isabel Childrey:
- Margaret Russell (born around 1383, died 1460) married Sir Gilbert Denys.
- Isabel Russell (born around 1386, died 1437) married four times. Her first husband was William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire.
Isabel and her third husband sold their share of the Russell lands to Margaret and her husband, Sir Gilbert Denys. The Denys family kept these lands for many years.
Sir Maurice had one son, Thomas Russell, with his second wife, Joan Dauntsey. Thomas was born around 1412, so he was very young when his father died. Sadly, Thomas and his young daughter both passed away in 1431 and 1432. Because Thomas had no sons, most of Sir Maurice's lands then went to his half-sisters, Margaret and Isabel, and their families.
Images for kids
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The family symbols (arms) of the de Dauntsey family, from Dauntsey parish church.
