Twelve Knights of Glamorgan facts for kids
The Twelve Knights of Glamorgan were a famous group of knights from old stories. They were said to have followed a powerful leader named Robert Fitzhamon. He was a Norman conqueror who took over the area of Glamorgan in Wales around the year 1107.
Even though Robert Fitzhamon was a real person, the idea of these twelve knights became a legend. Historians in the 1500s, especially Sir Edward Stradling, helped make this legend popular. They wrote that these knights helped Fitzhamon and then ruled parts of Glamorgan for him. Many of the knights on the list were real people, which made the legend seem even more believable.
How the Legend Began
The story of the Twelve Knights of Glamorgan was largely created by a historian named Sir Edward Stradling. He lived at St Donat's Castle in Glamorgan. In 1561, Sir Edward wrote a book called "The Winning of the Lordship of Glamorgan out of Welshmens' Hands."
In his book, he described how Robert Fitzhamon, the first Lord of Glamorgan, conquered the area. Sir Edward said that twelve knights came with Fitzhamon from Gloucestershire to help him win the land. Most of the knights on his list were real people from that time. However, Sir Edward mistakenly included one of his own ancestors, a Stradling knight, in the group. He thought this ancestor had followed Fitzhamon. Later research showed that the first Stradling in Glamorgan actually arrived later. They likely came from Switzerland, not with Fitzhamon.
Who Were the Twelve Knights?
Another account of these knights and the lands they supposedly received was written in 1591. This was by Sir Edward Mansel of Margam, in his work "An Account of the Cause of the Conquest of Glamorgan by Sir Robert FitzHaymon and his Twelve Knights."
Here is the list of the knights:
- Sir William de Londres; he was said to have received Ogmore
- Sir Richard de Grenville (died after 1142); he was the younger brother of Robert FitzHamon and received Neath
- Sir Payn de Turberville; he was given Coity
- Sir Robert St. Quintin; he received Llanblethian
- Sir Richard Siward; he was given Talyfan
- Sir Gilbert Umfraville; he received Penmark
- Sir Roger Berkerolles; he was given St Athan
- Sir Reginald Sully; he received Sully
- Sir Peter le Soare; he was given Llanbedr-ar-Lai
- Sir John Fleming; he received Wenvoe
- Sir Oliver St. John; he was given Fonmon
- Sir William Stradling; he received St Donat's
