Simon I de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton facts for kids

Simon I de Senlis (also known as Simon de Senliz or Simon de St. Liz) was an important Norman nobleman. He was the 1st Earl of Northampton and the 2nd Earl of Huntingdon. He became Earl of Huntingdon because of his marriage, which is called jure uxoris in Latin. Simon passed away sometime between 1111 and 1113, most likely in 1111.

Simon was captured in 1098 during a military campaign led by King William Rufus in a place called Vexin. He was later set free after a ransom was paid. In 1100, he was present when King Henry I issued his Charter of Liberties at his coronation. This charter was an important document that set out the rights of the people. Simon also signed royal documents in England during several periods between 1100 and 1111.

Between 1093 and 1100, Simon and his wife, Maud, started the Priory of St Andrew's in Northampton. A priory is a type of monastery. On August 8, 1111, he witnessed King Henry I giving a grant to Bath Abbey. This happened at Bishop's Waltham as the king was traveling to Normandy. Simon de Senlis then went abroad and died at La Charité-sur-Loire, where he was buried in a new church.

Simon built some very important structures. He built Northampton Castle, which was a strong fortress. He also built the town walls of Northampton to protect the town. In addition, he built The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, which is one of only four remaining round churches in England.

Simon's Family and Life

Simon was the third son of Laudri de Senlis. His father was the lord of Chantilly and Ermenonville in a region called Picardy. Simon's mother was Ermengarde.

Simon's Marriage and Children

Simon married Maud of Huntingdon around or before 1090. Maud was the daughter of Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria, who was also Earl of Northampton and Huntingdon. Her mother was Judith of Lens, who was the niece of William the Conqueror. Interestingly, Maud had first refused to marry Simon. She even fled abroad to avoid her uncle's anger.

Simon and Maud had three children:

• Simon II de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton
• Waltheof of Melrose
• Maud de Senlis

Their daughter, Maud de Senlis, married twice. Her first husband was Robert Fitz Richard from the de Clare family. They had children together. After Robert died, she married Saer de Quincy, who was Lord of Long Buckby. They also had children:

• • Alice de Senlis (St. Liz), who was the mother of Sir William of Huntingfield. William was one of the important people who signed the Magna Carta.
  • Robert de Quincy, who died around 1198. He was the father of:
    • Saer de Quincy, 1st Earl of Winchester. He was also one of the people who signed the Magna Carta and died in 1219.

After Simon's Death

After Simon's death, his wife Maud married again around Christmas 1113. Her second husband was David I, who was sometimes called "the Saint." David later became King of Scots in 1124. David was recognized as the Earl of Huntingdon. This meant that Simon's son, also named Simon, did not become Earl of Huntingdon at that time. The title of Earl of Northampton went back to the king. Maud, who was the 2nd Countess of Huntingdon and later the Queen of Scots, passed away in 1130 or 1131.