Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick facts for kids
Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick (born around 1102 – died 12 June 1153) was an important English nobleman. He was the older son of Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick and Margaret. Roger was also known as Roger de Newburgh. He inherited the title of Earl of Warwick from his father. An Earl was a powerful leader who managed a large area of land for the king.
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What Roger de Beaumont Built and Founded
Roger de Beaumont was known for building and supporting several important places.
Helping the Community in Warwick
The town of Warwick remembers Roger for starting the Hospital of S. Michael. This hospital was a special place for people with lepers, which was a serious skin disease at the time. He gave the hospital money and land from Wedgnock to help it run.
He also supported the House of the Knights Templar in Warwick, which was located near the bridge. The Knights Templar were a famous group of knight-monks who protected pilgrims and fought in the Crusades.
Roger also built the Chapel of St James the Great in Warwick. Today, this chapel is part of the Lord Leycester Hospital, a historic group of buildings.
Founding a Priory in Wales
During the time of King Stephen, Roger founded a priory in Wales. A priory is a type of religious house, similar to a monastery. This one was dedicated to S. Cenydd and was located in Llangennith, in Glamorgan county. He made this priory a "cell" (a smaller part) of the Abbey of S. Taurinus in Evreux, which is in Normandy, France.
Roger de Beaumont's Family
In 1130, Roger de Beaumont married Gundreda de Warenne. She was the daughter of William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey and Elizabeth de Vermandois.
His Children
Roger and Gundreda had several children:
- William de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Warwick
- Waleran de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Warwick (born 1153 – died 12 December 1204)
- Agnes de Beaumont, who married Geoffrey de Clinton. Geoffrey was a Chamberlain (a high-ranking official) to the king. His father, also named Geoffrey de Clinton, was famous for building Kenilworth Castle and its priory.
- Gundred de Beaumont (born around 1135 – died 1200), who married Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk.
