William de Roumare, Earl of Lincoln facts for kids

William de Romare was an important person in England a long time ago, around the 1100s. He was born about 1096. People also knew him as Roumare, Romayre, or Romay. He held several important titles, like the Earl of Lincoln. He was also the 2nd Baron of Kendal and the Lord of Bolingbroke, which is a place in Lincolnshire, England.

William followed in his father's footsteps. His father was Roger FitzGerold, who was the 1st Baron of Kendal and Lord of Bolingbroke. William's mother was Lucy, who had been married before. William also had a half-brother named Ranulf of Chester, who was a very powerful earl.

In a place called Normandy, which is in France, William was known as the Lord of Roumare.

A Lucky Escape: The White Ship

In the year 1120, something very famous and sad happened. William was supposed to travel across the English Channel on a ship called the White Ship. This ship was carrying many important people, including William the Aetheling, who was the son of the King of England.

However, William de Romare got off the ship just before it sailed. This was incredibly lucky for him! The White Ship later sank, and almost everyone on board drowned. Because William left the ship, he avoided this terrible accident.

Becoming an Earl

Later in his life, William de Romare became even more important. King Stephen of England made him the Earl of Lincoln after the year 1143. As an earl, William lived in two main places: Bolingbroke and Lincoln Castle.

He also had a job as a constable, which is like a military leader, at a strong castle called Neufmarche in Normandy. In 1118, he bravely defended this castle against a rebellion led by Hugh de Gournay.

Family Life

William de Romare married a woman named Hawise de Reviers. She was the sister of Baldwin de Redvers, who was the 1st Earl of Devon.

William and Hawise had one son that we know of. His name was William (also called Helie) de Roumare. This son married a woman named Agnes de Aumale. They also had a son, who was also named William de Roumare. However, this third William married twice but did not have any children.