Ralph the Timid facts for kids

Ralph the Timid, also known as Ralf of Mantes, was an important figure in England during the 11th century. He was the Earl of Hereford from about 1051 until his death in 1057. Ralph was related to the English royal family through his mother, Godgifu. She was the daughter of King Æthelred the Unready and his wife Emma. His father was Drogo of Mantes, a count from France.

Ralph's Early Life and Arrival in England

Ralph's father, Drogo of Mantes, died in 1035 while on a religious journey to Jerusalem. Ralph himself came to England in 1041. He arrived with his uncle, Edward the Confessor, who would later become King of England.

Becoming an Earl

By 1050, Ralph was already known as an earl. An earl was a powerful noble who ruled a large area of land called an earldom. His first earldom was likely in the East Midlands of England. This was where his wife, Gytha, owned land. Ralph also supported Peterborough Abbey, a famous monastery.

Supporting the King

In 1051, King Edward the Confessor had a big disagreement with Earl Godwin. Earl Godwin was one of the most powerful men in England. Ralph gathered soldiers from his earldom to help the King. Earl Godwin and his sons were forced to leave England for a short time.

However, Godwin and his sons returned the next year. Ralph and another earl, Earl Odda, led a fleet of ships to stop them. But they could not prevent Godwin's successful return to England.

The Battle of Hereford

After Godwin's return, his son Sweyn died in 1052. Ralph was then given Sweyn's earldom of Hereford, which included the area of Oxfordshire.

In 1055, Ælfgar, another powerful earl, was sent away from England. He then joined forces with Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, the ruler of Wales. Ralph met them in battle on October 24, 1055. It was a terrible defeat for Ralph's army. The invaders then attacked and looted the city of Hereford.

Some people later said that Ralph and his French soldiers ran away first. This led to his nickname, 'The Timid'. After this defeat, Harold, who would later become king, chased the invaders back into Wales. It is believed that Ralph might have lost his earldom of Hereford to Harold after this battle.

Peterborough Cathedral, where Ralph was buried.

Ralph's Final Years

According to an old poem, Ralph became the Earl of East Anglia in 1057. This happened after Earl Leofric died in August of that year. However, Ralph held this new earldom for only a few months.

Ralph died on December 21, 1057, when he was in his early thirties. He was buried at Peterborough Abbey. After Ralph's death, the Earldom of East Anglia went to Ælfgar.

Family and Legacy

Ralph had a son named Harold. This young Harold was raised by King Edward's wife, Edith. Ralph was on good terms with the Godwin family. It's possible his son was named after the future King Harold Godwinson and was his godson.

Some historians think that Harold Godwinson might have been given the earldom of Hereford to look after it until Ralph's son, Harold, was old enough to take it. Ralph's son, Harold, survived the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. He later received some of his father's lands. A place called Ewyas Harold is named after him. His family line later became the Sudeleys of Toddington, Gloucestershire.