Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby facts for kids
Robert I de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby (born around 1068 – died 1139) was an important figure in early English history. He was born in Derbyshire, England. Robert was a younger son of Henry de Ferrières and his wife Bertha. His father, Henry, came from Ferrières in Normandy, France.
Henry de Ferrières was one of the people who came with William the Conqueror when he invaded England. As a reward for his help, the family received Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire. They also gained control of 114 large estates, called manors, in Derbyshire.
Robert's older brother, William, was more interested in lands in France. He joined Robert Curthose and was captured in a battle. Another brother, Engenulf, died soon after their father. Because of this, Robert inherited the family's lands in England in 1088.
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Robert's Early Support for King Henry I
From the start, Robert de Ferrers was a strong supporter of King Henry I. Records from 1129–30 show that he had interests in lead mines located in Wirksworth. This shows he was involved in important industries of his time.
A Key Supporter of King Stephen
Robert became a very important supporter of King Stephen in his later years. In 1138, King David I of Scotland invaded England. Robert led a large group of men from Derbyshire north to help stop this invasion.
The Battle of the Standard
The Scottish invasion was supposedly on behalf of Empress Matilda, who also claimed the English throne. Not much direct fighting happened with Robert's group. However, Thurstan, the Archbishop of York, led an English army. They won a major battle for King Stephen. This battle was called the Battle of the Standard. It took place near Northallerton on August 22, 1138.
Robert de Ferrers played a big part in helping King Stephen win this battle. For his loyalty and help, King Stephen made him the first Earl of Derby. Sometimes, old documents might call him Earl of Ferrers or Earl of Nottingham, but he is best known as the Earl of Derby.
Death and Successor
Robert I de Ferrers died the next year, in 1139. His son, Robert de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby, took over his title as Earl. This son is often called Robert de Ferrers the Younger.
Norman Connections in England
Like many Norman lords, the Ferrers family brought their own trusted followers from Normandy to England. These families included the Curzon (from Kedleston), Livet (Levett), and Boscherville (Baskerville) families. In Normandy, these families held their lands from the Ferrers. When they moved to England after the Norman Conquest, they continued to hold their English lands from the Ferrers family. This shows how strong the ties were between these Norman families.
