Robert Walerand facts for kids
Robert Walerand (died 1273) was an important helper and friend to King Henry III (who ruled from 1216 to 1272). He was known as a Justiciar, which was a high-ranking judge and royal officer. Robert Walerand was one of the king's closest advisers and a trusted member of his royal household.
He played a big part in the king's plan to get money from the barons. This money was for Henry III's second son, Edmund, to become the King of Sicily. This plan caused a lot of problems and was one reason for the Barons' War, led by Simon de Montfort. However, the king's side won the war at the Battle of Evesham in 1265. Robert Walerand lived mainly at Siston in Gloucestershire.
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Who Was Robert Walerand?
Robert Walerand was the son of William Walrond and Isabel de Berkeley. His mother, Isabel, had been married before and later married again. Robert had a brother named John Walerand, who was a church leader in Worcestershire. In 1265, John became a high-ranking official and helped look after the Tower of London. Robert also had a half-sister, Alice de Rochford, and another sister, also named Alice, who was a leader at Romsey Abbey.
Robert Walerand's Career
Robert Walerand had a long and important career serving King Henry III. He held many different jobs and responsibilities.
Early Roles and Responsibilities
In 1246, Robert was put in charge of the lands that belonged to the heirs of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. The next year, he was given similar duties for John de Munchanes. In the spring of 1246, he became the Sheriff of Gloucestershire. A sheriff was a royal officer who managed law and order in a county.
In 1250, he was given control of Carmarthen Castle and Cardigan Castle in Wales. He also gained lands from a Welsh leader and became the governor of Lundy Island. From 1251 to 1258, he regularly served as a justiciar, which meant he was a judge who traveled to hear cases.
Serving as Seneschal of Gascony
By 1252, Robert Walerand was called the "Seneschal of Gascony". This meant he was the king's main representative and governor in the region of Gascony, which was part of England's lands in France. In 1253, he went with King Henry III to Gascony. They sailed from Portsmouth and arrived in Bordeaux. Walerand was involved in important events there, like the siege of Bénauges. He was especially trusted with matters in Bergerac and was part of a group sent by the king to the people of Gensac. During this time in Gascony, Robert Walerand became even more favored by King Henry. He was a very important member of the king's council in Gascony.
Negotiating for the Crown of Sicily
King Henry III accepted an offer from Pope Innocent IV and Pope Alexander IV for his second son, Edmund, to become the King of Sicily. In 1255, Robert Walerand was chosen to work with Peter of Aigueblanche to talk with the Pope about this deal.
Walerand was involved when Peter of Aigueblanche convinced church leaders to sign blank papers. These papers were later filled in at Rome, forcing the English church to pay a large sum of money to bankers who had lent money to the Pope on Henry's behalf. At a meeting in Westminster in October 1255, Richard of Cornwall criticized Walerand and the Bishop of Hereford for pushing the king into this difficult situation.
Returning to England and New Duties
After his work in Sicily, Walerand went back to being a judge. In 1256, he was the main judge at Winchester. He was also part of a group that looked into crimes committed by the Sheriff of Northampton. In June 1256, Walerand joined Richard, Earl of Gloucester, on a trip to meet German princes.
Around this time, he was given control of St Briavel's Castle and its lands in the Forest of Dean. Later, he became the manager of all royal forests south of the River Trent and the governor of Rockingham Castle. In February 1257, Simon de Montfort and Robert Walerand were given the job of trying to make peace between France and England.
Working with the Barons
When problems started between the king and the barons in 1258, Walerand supported the king but tried to be fair. He witnessed the king agreeing to a plan for reforms. The barons trusted him enough to appoint him as the warden of Salisbury Castle. He also received other important positions, some of which the barons must have approved. In 1259, he became the warden of Bristol Castle, and later, he was again made warden of St. Briavel's Castle.
On July 9, 1261, he became the Sheriff of Kent and held this job until September 1262. At the same time, he was made governor of Rochester Castle and Canterbury Castle. In January 1262, Walerand was chosen as one of six people, including three barons, to appoint new sheriffs. In March, he was part of a group sent to negotiate peace with France. Walerand and his colleagues later reported back to the nobles in London, and peace was finally made with King Louis of France.
Walerand's skills in talking and negotiating were rewarded. In 1261, he became the warden of the Forest of Dean. In 1262, Henry III put him in charge of Dover Castle, Marlborough Castle, and Ludgershall Castle. He also became the warden of the Cinque Ports, which were important coastal towns. During this time, the Great Seal of the Realm, which was used to make official documents, was placed in Walerand's care. In 1263, when Prince Edward took jewels and money from the New Temple, London, Walerand was one of his main helpers.
During the Barons' Wars
In 1261, disagreements between King Henry III and the barons started again. Walerand, along with John Mansel and Peter II of Savoy, were seen as the king's three most important advisers. In 1263, the barons took control of Walerand's lands. The king gave them all back except Kilpeck Castle. Walerand was so important that in February 1263, the king said he couldn't send Walerand and Mansel to France and sent other people instead.
When the barons went to war against Henry III in 1264, Walerand strongly supported the king. After the Battle of Lewes, he and Warren of Bassingbourne still held Bristol Castle for the king. They marched to Wallingford Castle, where Richard of Cornwall and Edward were being held, and tried hard to free them, but they failed.
After the Battle of Evesham, where the king's side won, Walerand was given many lands as a reward. He announced that all who had fought against the king at Evesham would lose their lands. He and Roger Leybourne convinced the people of London to pay a large fine to the king for their actions. In 1266, Walerand was one of six people chosen to help set up the new government under the Dictum of Kenilworth.
Final Years and Legacy
In his last years, Walerand focused on matters in Wales. Since he owned a lot of land near the Welsh border, he was often involved in the Welsh wars. He was frequently asked for advice on how to deal with the Welsh. In February 1267, he was given the power to make a three-year truce with Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, a Welsh prince, and to make peace with Edmund, the king's son.
He then went back to being a judge. From April 1268 to August 1271, many records show that he held court sessions. When Prince Edward went to the Holy Land in 1270, he put Walerand and three others in charge of looking after his lands. Robert Walerand died in 1273, before the king returned.
A writer from that time described Walerand as a "strong man." Throughout his career, he was disliked by some because he was a royal favorite, but he was respected for his skills and strength.
Family and Inheritance
In 1257, Robert Walerand married Maud Russell (who died between 1306 and 1307). She was the oldest daughter of his neighbor, Ralph Russell. Their lands were next to each other in Dyrham and Siston. However, Robert and Maud did not have any children.
His nephew, Robert II Waleran, was his heir, but he was unable to manage his own affairs. Because of this, he never officially received control of his lands. Some of these lands went to his sister's son, Alan Plugenet.
