Neil Loring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Neil Loring
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Illustration from the 1430 Bruges Garter Book made by William Bruges (1375–1450), first Garter King of Arms
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| Born | c. 1320 Chalgrave, England |
| Died | 18 March, 1386 Chalgrave, England |
| Wars and battles | |
Sir Neil Loring was a brave English soldier and a skilled diplomat from the Middle Ages. He was born around 1320 in Chalgrave, England. He became one of the very first members of the Order of the Garter, a special group of knights created by King Edward III in 1348. Neil Loring was so famous that a well-known author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, even based a character on him in his historical novels, Sir Nigel and The White Company.
Contents
Where He Came From
Neil Loring was born in a place called Chalgrave in Bedfordshire, England. His father was Roger Loring, and his mother was Cassandra Perrott.
A Life of Adventure and Service
Early Battles and Knighthood
Neil Loring was a knight who fought in many important battles. In 1340, he fought bravely at the Battle of Sluys, a big naval battle. Because of his courage, he was made a knight and given a yearly payment of £20.
In 1347, he was with King Edward III during the Siege of Calais. The very next year, he became one of the first knights to join the special Order of the Garter.
Serving the Black Prince
By 1351, Neil Loring was working for the Prince of Wales, who was the king's son. He was the prince's personal assistant, called a "chamberlain," and part of his important council.
He went with the prince to Aquitaine (a region in France) in 1353. He showed great bravery during the Poitiers Campaign. He was even chosen to stay close to the prince during battles. After the famous Battle of Poitiers on September 19, 1356, he was sent back to England to share the good news of the English victory. For his loyal service, he received a good yearly payment and some land in Wales.
Later Campaigns
In 1359, Neil Loring returned to France with King Edward III for another military campaign. This led to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, which was a peace agreement. Neil Loring helped make sure the truce was kept and that lands were transferred as agreed in the treaty.
He was with the Prince of Wales again in Aquitaine in 1366. He fought in the prince's group at the Battle of Nájera in 1367. Later, in 1369, he served under another knight, Sir Robert Knolles, at the Siege of Domme. The next year, he fought in Poitou under the Earl of Pembroke.
His Later Years
Neil Loring spent his final years quietly at his family home in Chalgrave. In 1365, he received special permission from the king to create a private park there. He passed away on March 18, 1386. He was buried in the Church of the Black Canons at Dunstable.
As mentioned earlier, the famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based the main character of Sir Nigel Loring in his historical novels, Sir Nigel and The White Company, on Neil Loring.
Helping Others
Neil Loring helped found a special chapel, called a "chantry," in Chalgrave church. This chapel was for prayers. He also gave money to St. Albans Abbey. Records show him as an old man wearing a red cap and a white robe with Garter symbols, holding a purse.
Family Life
Neil Loring married Margaret de Beaupel. She was the daughter of Ralph de Beaupel, whose family lived in a place called Beaupel in North Devon. Neil Loring was sometimes known as "Nele Loring of Knowston-Beaupell." Through his marriage, he also gained control of the manor of Landkey.
Neil and Margaret had two daughters who shared their inheritance:
- Isabel Loring (died 1400): She married twice.
- Her first husband was Sir William Cogan. They had children, including a son named John Cogan and a daughter named Elizabeth Cogan.
- Her second husband was Robert Harington, 3rd Baron Harington. They had two sons, John Harington, 4th Baron Harington and William Harington, 5th Baron Harington.
- Margaret Loring: She married Thomas Pevyre of Bedfordshire, and they also had children.
