Roger Bigod of Norfolk facts for kids
Roger Bigod (died 1107) was a brave Norman knight. He came to England during the Norman Conquest. Roger became very powerful in an area called East Anglia. Five of his family members later became Earls of Norfolk. He was also known as Roger Bigot. He even witnessed an important document called the Charter of Liberties for King Henry I of England.
Biography
Early Life and Power
Roger Bigod came from a humble family in Normandy. His relative, Robert le Bigot, was close to William, Duke of Normandy. This William later became William the Conqueror. Robert supposedly helped the Duke by revealing a secret plot.
After the Norman Conquest of England, both Roger and Robert received many lands. These lands were mostly in East Anglia. The Domesday Book lists Roger owning many properties. He had six in Essex, 117 in Suffolk, and 187 in Norfolk.
Roger Bigod's main home was in Thetford, Norfolk. This town was important because it was where the bishop lived. Roger started a priory there, which is a type of small monastery. In 1101, he gained even more power. King Henry I allowed him to build a castle at Framlingham. This castle became the main family home for many years. He also had another castle called Bungay Castle in Suffolk.
Battles and Loyalty
In 1069, Roger Bigod joined forces with Robert Malet and Ralph de Gael. Ralph was then the Earl of Norfolk. Together, they defeated an invasion attempt by Sweyn Estrithson, the King of Denmark. This battle happened near Ipswich.
After Ralph de Gael lost his power in 1074, Roger became the sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. A sheriff was a powerful local official. Roger also gained many of Ralph's lands. Because of this, some people thought he was an Earl. However, he probably never officially received the title. His son, Hugh, did become Earl of Norfolk later in 1141. Roger gained even more land and influence as sheriff.
In 1088, Roger joined a rebellion against King William II. Many barons hoped to replace William with his brother, Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. Roger lost his lands when the rebellion failed. But he later got them back after making peace with the king.
In 1100, Roger Bigod was one of the people who witnessed the Charter of Liberties. This was a set of promises made by King Henry I when he became king. These promises later influenced the famous Magna Carta in 1215.
In 1101, there was another attempt to bring Robert of Normandy to England. The goal was to remove King Henry. But this time, Roger Bigod stayed loyal to King Henry.
Family and Legacy
Roger Bigod died on September 9, 1107. He was buried in Norwich. There was a disagreement about where he should be buried. The Bishop of Norwich, Herbert Losinga, wanted him in the new cathedral. But the monks at Thetford Priory, which Roger founded, believed he should be buried with them. The bishop secretly moved Roger's body to the new cathedral in Norwich.
For a while, people thought Roger had two wives. But now it is believed he had only one wife, Adeliza (Alice) de Tosny. She was the sister of William de Tosny. Her father was Robert de Todeni.
Roger's eldest son, William Bigod, took over his lands. After William drowned in the sinking of the White Ship, Roger's second son, Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk, became the heir. Roger also had three daughters:
- Gunnor, who married Robert fitz Swein.
- Cecily, who married William d'Aubigny "Brito".
- Maud, who married William d'Aubigny "Pincerna". Maud was the mother of William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Arundel.
See also
- House of Tosny
- Ida de Tosny (wife of Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk)
