Roger de Lacy (1170–1211) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roger de Lacy
|
|
|---|---|
Coat of arms of Roger de Lacy, recorded by Matthew Paris in Chronica Majora: Per pale gules and azure, three garbs or. It features the garbs of the Earl of Chester
|
|
| Born | 1170 |
| Died | 1211 |
| Title | Baron of Pontefract Lord of Bowland Lord of Blackburnshire Baron of Halton |
| Spouse(s) | Maud de Clere |
| Children | John de Lacy, 2nd Earl of Lincoln |
| Parent(s) | John fitz Richard Alice de Essex |
Roger de Lacy (born 1170, died 1211) was an important English nobleman and soldier. He was known by many titles, including Baron of Pontefract and Constable of Chester. People also called him Roger le Constable. He was a brave fighter and even took part in a Crusade.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Roger de Lacy was also known as Roger fitz John, meaning "Roger, son of John". His father was John fitz Richard, who was also a Baron and Constable of Chester. His mother was Alice of Essex. Roger inherited his important titles and lands from his grandmother, Albreda de Lisours. In 1193, he officially took the name de Lacy.
Roger's Military Career
Roger de Lacy was a loyal knight and served two English kings: King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) and King John of England.
Serving King Richard I
Roger paid King Richard I a large sum of money, 3,000 marks, to get back the lands of Pontefract. However, the King kept Pontefract Castle for himself at that time.
Roger was the Constable of Chester. This meant he was in charge of the castle and the local army. He took on this role so his father, John fitz Richard, could join King Richard on the Third Crusade. Sadly, Roger's father died during the Siege of Acre in 1190. Roger himself likely stayed in England during this time, helping to manage things at home.
Serving King John
When King John became king in 1199, Roger de Lacy was a very important person. King John gave Roger control of Pontefract Castle that same year.
Defending Château Gaillard
In 1203, Roger de Lacy was in charge of Château Gaillard, a strong castle in Normandy, France. The French King, Philip II of France, attacked the castle. Roger led a very long and brave defense. The castle was under siege for eight months! Even though the castle eventually fell in March 1204, Roger's defense was impressive. After this, he returned to England to make Pontefract Castle even stronger.
The Siege of Rhuddlan
Roger de Lacy is famous for a clever trick he used during the Siege of Rhuddlan. Ranulph, Earl of Chester, was trapped inside Rhuddlan Castle by a large Welsh army. He sent for help from Roger, the Constable of Chester.
Roger gathered a group of minstrels (traveling musicians and entertainers) and other "loose characters" from a fair in Chester. He marched them towards Rhuddlan. The Welsh army saw this large, noisy group approaching. They thought it was a huge army coming to rescue the Earl! Frightened, they quickly ended their siege and ran away.
Because of this clever rescue, the Earl of Chester gave Roger de Lacy and his family special rights over the minstrels in the area. Roger later passed this right to his steward, Hugh Dutton.
High Sheriff Role
Roger de Lacy also served as the High Sheriff of Cumberland from 1204 to 1209. A High Sheriff was a powerful official who helped the king keep law and order in a county.
Family Life and Legacy
Roger de Lacy married a woman named Maud de Clere. They had at least two children:
- John de Lacy, 2nd Earl of Lincoln, who became a very important nobleman like his father.
- A daughter who married Alan of Galloway, a powerful Scottish nobleman.
Roger de Lacy passed away in 1211. He was buried at Stanlow Abbey in Cheshire.
