Osbern Pentecost facts for kids
Sir Osbern Pentecost was a knight from Normandy, a region in France. He came to England in 1041 with Edward the Confessor, who later became King of England. Osbern was one of the few Normans who owned land in England before the famous Norman Conquest of England in 1066. He died on July 27, 1054.
Contents
Who Was Sir Osbern Pentecost?
Sir Osbern Pentecost was an important figure in England before the Norman Conquest. He was a knight, which meant he was a skilled warrior who served a lord or king. His journey to England began when he followed Edward the Confessor. Edward had been living in Normandy for a long time. When he returned to England to become king, Osbern came with him.
Building a New Type of Castle
In 1048, Osbern Pentecost built a castle in a place called Ewyas in Herefordshire. He did this with the help of Ralph the Timid, who was the Earl of Hereford. This castle was special because it was one of the first of its kind in England: a Motte and Bailey castle.
A Motte and Bailey castle had two main parts:
- A motte was a large mound of earth, often with a wooden tower on top.
- A bailey was a fenced area at the bottom of the mound, where soldiers and people lived.
These castles were quick to build and offered good protection.
Leaving England
In 1052, a powerful English earl named Godwin, Earl of Wessex returned to England from exile. Because of this, many Normans, including Osbern, were asked to leave the country. Osbern needed to travel safely, so he got permission from Leofric of Mercia, another important English earl.
After leaving England, Osbern traveled north. He went to Scotland and joined the court of Mac Bethad mac Findlaích, who was the King of Scots. You might know him better as King Macbeth from stories!
Osbern's Final Battle
In 1054, an English earl named Earl Siward led an army to invade Scotland. Osbern Pentecost fought in a major battle during this invasion. This battle is known as the Battle of Dunsinane. It took place on July 27, 1054. Sadly, Osbern Pentecost was one of the Normans who died in this battle. It was a big victory for Earl Siward against the Scots.
