Robert Ogle, 1st Baron Ogle facts for kids

Sir Robert Ogle, 1st Baron Ogle (born 1406, died 1469), was an important figure in English history. He was the son of Sir Robert Ogle of Ogle and his wife Maud.

Family Background

Robert Ogle's family had connections to the powerful House of York. His uncle, Thomas Grey, was involved in a plot against King Henry V in 1415 and was executed. Another cousin, also named Thomas Grey, married the daughter of the Earl of Cambridge, who was also executed for the same plot. These connections linked the Ogle family to the Yorkist side of English politics.

The Ogle family came from Northumberland. Robert's father had important jobs there. He was the constable of Norham Castle, which meant he was in charge of the castle's defense. He was also the Sheriff of the area, like a chief law enforcement officer, and a Member of Parliament (MP), representing his region in the government. Robert's father passed away in 1436, and Robert then took over his family's lands and responsibilities.

Working for the King

Robert Ogle started working for the king even before his father died. In 1434, he helped negotiate a peace agreement with Scotland. A year later, he became the captain of Berwick Castle, an important border fortress. This job was worth about £194 in peacetime, plus another £200 if there was a war.

While serving as captain, Robert was captured by the Scots during a border raid. He had to be ransomed for 750 marks (a type of money). Usually, the king would pay the ransom for people captured while serving him. Robert asked for this money, but the king's finances were in such bad shape that Robert was still trying to get his payment seven years later! Later, from 1437 to 1438, he was appointed Sheriff of Northumberland.

Political Life

In 1455, a big disagreement between Richard, Duke of York and the Duke of Somerset turned into a fight. Robert Ogle supported the House of York. This was likely because he worked for Richard, Earl of Salisbury, who was a close friend of the Duke of York. Robert brought 600 men from the Scottish border areas to join York's army at the First Battle of St Albans.

Robert was also in charge of security for the Bishopric of Durham, a church area. The Bishop of Durham at that time was Salisbury's brother. So, Robert's support for the Yorkists also helped the powerful Neville family. One writer from that time said that Robert personally "took the market place" with his men.

Robert continued to support the Yorkists throughout the Wars of the Roses, a series of wars fought over who should be king of England. After the Battle of Towton, he and Sir John Conyers chased the defeated King Henry and surrounded him at Carham Castle.

Becoming a Baron and Serving the New King

Because he was the main gentleman from Northumberland who supported the Yorkist side, Robert Ogle was given the title of Baron Ogle on July 26, 1461. This meant he became a noble.

He was also put in charge of the castles that had been taken from the Earl of Northumberland. These included Alnwick Castle, Warkworth Castle, and Prudhoe Castle. In 1438, he also received the Earl's old job as the Warden of the Eastern March, which was an important role in defending the border with Scotland.

Robert continued his diplomatic work on the border. In October 1461, he helped arrange another year-long peace agreement with Scotland. In 1465, when Warwick's brother, Montague, became the Earl of Northumberland, the Percy family lands that Robert Ogle had been given were transferred to Montague. Robert was given other lands as compensation, including the Lordship of Redesdale and Harbottle Castle.

He was also a regular member of the King's Bench commissions in Northumberland. These were groups that handled legal matters, and Robert was often appointed by the Nevilles, first Salisbury and then Warwick.

Robert Ogle passed away on November 1, 1469. He had married Isabel Kirkby and they had a daughter and three sons. His oldest son, Owen (Ewyn) Ogle, became the 2nd Baron Ogle after him.