Thomas de Canville facts for kids

Sir Thomas Canville (died 1234), also known as de Camville, was an important Anglo-Norman landowner and judge in medieval England. He played a role in the legal system and owned land in several parts of the country.

Who Was Thomas Canville?

Thomas Canville's family came from a place called Canville-les-Deux-Églises in Normandy, France. His ancestors, like Richard I Canville, moved to England around 1135. This is how the family became known in England.

Early Life and Family Roots

Thomas Canville was likely born before 1175. His father was Hugh III, who owned lands in different English counties. These included Godington in Oxfordshire, Shenfield and Fobbing in Essex, and Westerham in Kent. His mother was Christina, daughter of William le Moine.

Thomas Canville's Career

Thomas Canville began his career serving King Richard I in Normandy in 1194. By 1206, he had become a knight. This meant he was an important person and could take part in legal decisions. He was one of the knights in Kent who could serve on the Grand Assize, a special court.

Serving Kings and Facing Challenges

Around 1208, Thomas gave some land in Fobbing to the nuns of Barking Abbey. This was a common way for people to support religious groups back then.

Even though he usually paid money instead of fighting in wars (this payment was called scutage), in 1210 he went with King John to Ireland.

Later, in 1215, he joined a group of powerful barons who rebelled against King John. This conflict was known as the First Barons' War. Because he joined the rebels, the king took away his land at Godington. However, after the war ended, he made peace with the new King Henry III. By the end of 1217, he got his lands back. In 1220, there was a false report that he had died. Because of this, his young son and lands were put under the care of Philip Oldcotes.

Legal Work and Public Service

After his mother died, Thomas had given the church at Godington to the nuns of Elstow Abbey. But in 1221, he tried to get it back. A lawsuit in 1222 confirmed that the church belonged to the nuns. In return, the nuns promised to pray for him and his family.

In 1227, Thomas got permission to hold a weekly market in Westerham. He also got permission for a weekly market and a yearly fair in Fobbing. These were important for trade and local communities.

That same year, he became a justice in eyre. This meant he was a traveling judge for the areas of Essex, Kent, and Hertfordshire. He worked under another judge named Martin Pattishall. In 1228, he was promoted to be a judge of the Common Bench, which was a very important court. He stopped serving as a judge there after 1229. In 1232, he helped collect taxes in Kent.

Thomas Canville was still alive in July 1234 but had passed away by January 22, 1235.

Family Life

Thomas Canville was married to Agnes. After his death, Agnes married William Marney, another landowner. Thomas and Agnes had two sons, Robert and John, who were born after 1214. It is possible Thomas had been married before, but if so, he had no surviving children from that marriage.

After Thomas died, his son Robert was still too young to manage his own lands. The right to look after Robert and his inherited lands, and even choose his bride, was sold to Hamo de Crevecoeur. This cost a large sum of £400. Sir Robert later married Joan, who was probably Hamo's daughter. Robert and Joan had a son named Roger, who lived until after 1285. Joan lived longer than Robert.

Images for kids

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  Holy Trinity church, Godington