Robert Burghersh, 1st Baron Burghersh facts for kids

The family crest of the Burghersh family.

Robert de Burghersh, 1st Baron Burghersh, was an important figure in English history. He was born in England, in a place called Burghersh in Sussex, sometime between 1252 and 1256. He lived during a time when England was ruled by kings and powerful nobles. Robert de Burghersh passed away in 1306.

Who Was Robert de Burghersh?

Robert de Burghersh was a nobleman, which means he came from a powerful and important family. He was the son of Reynold de Burghersh. In his time, being a "Baron" meant you were a very important lord who held land directly from the King and had a special place in the government.

Family Life

Around the year 1282, Robert de Burghersh married Maud de Badlesmere. She was from Kent, England, and was born between 1260 and 1270. Maud's father was Gunselm de Badlesmere, who held an important position called "Justiciar of Kent." A Justiciar was like a chief judge or a high-ranking official who helped manage the law and order in a region. Maud also passed away in 1306, the same year as Robert.

Robert and Maud had at least three children:

• Stephen de Burghersh: He took over his father's title when Robert died in 1310.
• Henry de Burghersh: He became a very important church leader, known as the Bishop of Lincoln.
• Bartholomew de Burghersh: He also became a Baron later in his life, holding the title in his own right.

Important Roles and Titles

Robert de Burghersh held several key positions that showed his importance and trust from the King.

Constable of Dover Castle

One of his major roles was being the Constable of Dover Castle. Dover Castle is a very old and strong fortress located on the coast of England. As Constable, Robert was in charge of the castle's defense and its soldiers. This was a crucial job because Dover Castle protected England from attacks coming across the sea.

Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports

From 1299 until his death, Robert de Burghersh was also the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The Cinque Ports were a group of five (cinque means five in French) important port towns along the southeast coast of England. These towns had special privileges and responsibilities, mainly to provide ships and sailors for the King's navy when needed. The Lord Warden was the chief official overseeing these ports, making sure they were ready to defend the country.

Summoned to Parliament

Robert de Burghersh was also "summoned to Parliament" from November 1303 to July 1305. Being summoned to Parliament meant he was called by the King to attend important meetings where laws were discussed and decisions were made for the country. This is how he officially became known as Lord Burghersh, marking his status as a Baron.