Gilbert Crispin, baron of Tillieres & Bec

Disambiguation: Need to distinguish Gilbert Crispin de Bec from Gilbert de Brionne (Comte d'Eu), whose identities are frequently conflated.

There is a great deal of disagreement and there has been much confusion about one or several Gilberts (Giselbertus) who were living in Normandy in the early 11th century, one or more of whom may have been called "Crispin". It appears that some historical sources have merged all of these into one while others keep them separate. The same children (and wives, in many cases) have been attributed to any and all, which males it very difficult to establish any credible family lineages.

One, the most historically prominent, due to his murder, was Gilbert, the Count de Brionne et d"Eu. Another is sometimes attributed as the Baron of Bec, while a fourth title is that of Castellan or Seigneur de Tillieres. Finally, the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy's Medieval Lands Project has a category for "Untitled English Nobility" and includes "Crispin" as among this group [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISHNOBILITYMEDIEVAL3.htm#_Toc22...]. In this research, based on a 12th century manuscript by Miles Crispin, the Gilbert and Gunnora who were the parents of Hesilia (Esilia) who married Sir William Malet were not Gilbert Count of Brionne and Gunnora d'Aunou, as many claim, but were Gislebert Crispin and Gunnora FitzBaldric.

---Pam Wilson, 7-18-2009 (updated 15 May 2013)

Charles Cawley in Medieval Lands Database (accessed 15 May 2013) provides this overview (http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISHNOBILITYMEDIEVAL3.htm#_Toc35...):

The history of Gilbert Crispin abbot of Westminster and his family was studied by J. Armitage Robinson, Dean of Westminster, in the early 20th century[2635]. The relationships shown in this chapter are based on a manuscript history, probably written by Miles Crispin in the early 12th century, which is reproduced in the Recueil des Historiens des Gaules et de la France (there entitled "De nobili genere Crispinorum") and parts of which are also quoted by Dean Robinson[2636]. According to Richemond, Gilbert [I] was “Gilbert de Brionne seigneur du Bec, qui aida le moine Hellouin à fonder l´abbaye du Bec en 1035”[2637], but it is difficult to see how this suggested co-identity can be correct.

GILBERT [I] "Crispin" . A manuscript history of the Crispin family, probably written by Miles Crispin, records that the first family member was "Gislebertus" who was the first named "Crispini" because of his erect hair[2638]. Guillaume II Duke of Normandy confirmed the donation of “ecclesias...in maris Constantini pagi...” made by “Roberto...Hunfredi...filio” to Saint-Wandrille by charter dated to [1035/53], subscribed by “Roberti filii Hunfredi, Rogeri fratris eius, Anscetilli, Willelmi filii Ricardi secundi Normannorum ducis, Rogerii filii Radulfi de Warethna, Rogerii filii Ragnulfi, Gilleberti Crispin, Willelmi Guiet”[2639].m GUNNORA, daughter of BALDRIC & his wife ---. The De nobili genere Crispinorum records that "Gislebertus…Crispini cognomen" married "senioris Fulconis de Alnou germanam…Gonnorem"[2640]. The identity of her father is confirmed by Orderic Vitalis who names "…Fulco de Alnou…" as one of the sons of Baldric[2641]. Gilbert [I] & his wife had five children:

a) GILBERT [II] Crispin (-after [1047]). The De nobili genere Crispinorum names "Gislebertum, [Willelmum]…et Robertum" as the three sons of "Gislebertus…Crispini cognomen" and his wife, adding that Gilbert was granted the hereditary custodianship of "castrum Tegularias" [Tilli%C3%A8res] by the duke of Normandy[2642]. Guillaume of Jumièges states that Robert II Duke of Normandy granted “Tegulense castrum” to “Gislebertus...cognomento Crispinus” when recording that Henri I King of France besieged and captured the castle, dated to early during the reign of Duke Guillaume II from the context[2643]. "…Gisleberti Crispini, fratris eius Guillelmi…" witnessed the charter dated to [1047 or before] under which Guillaume II Duke of Normandy confirmed the donation by "Adelelmi…Beatricis uxor eius…Rotberti filius eius" to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel[2644]. m ---. The name of Gilbert´s wife is not known. Gilbert [II] & his wife had one child:

i) GILBERT [III] Crispin (-after 1091). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. "…Gibert Crispin…" witnessed the charter dated 1082 under which William I King of England donated property to the abbey of la Trinité de Caen[2645]. "…Rotberti de Belmont, Rodulfi de Bec, Willelmi filii Girardi, Rogerii fratris Rodulfi, Gisleberti Crispini, Rotberti filii Alvuardi, Rotberti Marmion, Rodulfi Taisson, Rotberti Herneis, Ricardi de Baiocas…" witnessed the donation of "decimam Ansfredi Villæ" to Sainte-Trinité de Rouen by "Gernagois et Albereda uxor eius, cum filiis suis Willelmo et Rotberto" by charter dated 1091[2646].

b) GUILLAUME [I] Crispin (-Bec 8 Jan 1074, bur Bec abbey). The De nobili genere Crispinorum names "Gislebertum, [Willelmum]…et Robertum" as the three sons of "Gislebertus…Crispini cognomen" and his wife, adding that Guillaume II Duke of Normandy placed him "in castro Melfia" to defend against French incursions and granted him "Vilcassini vicecomitatum…in Lexoviensi pago"[2647]. Keeper of the castle of Neaufles[2648]. "…Gisleberti Crispini, fratris eius Guillelmi…" witnessed the charter dated to [1047 or before] under which Guillaume II Duke of Normandy confirmed the donation by "Adelelmi…Beatricis uxor eius…Rotberti filius eius" to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel[2649]. The Chronique de Normandie, based on le Roman de Rou, names "Guillaume Crespin" among those who took part in the conquest of England in 1066[2650]. The necrology of Beaumont-le-Roger records the death "VI Id Jan" of "Will. Crispinus monachus nostræ congregationis", and the year ascertained from the Nomina Monachorum[2651]. m EVA, daughter of --- (-23 Jan [1099/1100], bur Bec abbey). The De nobili genere Crispinorum records that "Willelmus Crispinus" married "Evam…de gente Francorum"[2652]. Her possible affiliation as Eva, daughter of Amaury [III] Sire de Montfort l´Amaury & his wife Bertrade --- is explained in The Complete Peerage[2653]. The Chronicon Beccense records a donation by "tres matronæ nobiles…Basilia uxor Hugonis de Gornaco, et Amfrida neptis ipsius Basiliæ, et Eva uxor Guillelmi Crispini", who lived at the abbey, adding that they died on three Sundays, "Amfrida…IV Non Jan…Basilia…XVII Kal Feb…Eva…X Kal Feb" [dating the passage to 1099 or 1100][2654]. Guillaume & his wife had children:

i) GUILLAUME [II] Crispin (-after 1112). "…Willelmi Crispini…" witnessed a charter dated to [1077] under which William I King of England granted property to the abbey of Saint-Etienne de Caen[2655]. "…William Crispin…" witnessed the charter dated 5 Sep 1082 which records the settlement of a claim by the abbey of Saint-Wandrille about "Oxcessus"[2656]. "…Willelmus Crispin…" witnessed the charter dated 1089 under which Robert III Duke of Normandy confirmed the restoration of the monastery of Saint-Vigor near Bayeux[2657]. Eadmer names "Willelmum Crispinum" among those captured by Henry I King of England at the battle of Tinchebrai in 1106[2658]. ["Guillaume Crespin" donated property to the abbey of Saint-André-en-Gouffern by undated charter[2659]. It is not known to which of the three Guillaume Crespin this relates.] m AGNES, daughter of GODEFROI d´Etrépagny & his wife ---. The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. Guillaume [II] & his wife had one child:

(a) GUILLAUME [III] Crispin (-after 1135, bur Bec abbey). The De nobili genere Crispinorum records that "nepos de filio Willelmo, tertius Willelmus Crispinus" was "sanguinis propinquitate…comiti Andegavorum" and that he fought for them, was captured, died following his release when preparing a journey to Jerusalem, and was buried at Bec[2660]. Robinson identifies that battle in which Guillaume [III] was captured as the one fought by Geoffroy Plantagenet Comte d´Anjou against Robert de Sablé in 1135[2661].

ii) GILBERT Crispin ([1045/55]-6 Dec [1117]). The De nobili genere Crispinorum names "Gislebertum, West-monasterii abbatem, et alios plures" as the children of "Willelmus Crispinus" and his wife[2662]. Abbot of Westminster [1083][2663].

c) ROBERT Crispin (-Constantinople ----). The De nobili genere Crispinorum names "Gislebertum, [Willelmum]…et Robertum" as the three sons of "Gislebertus…Crispini cognomen" and his wife, adding that Robert left for Constantinople where he served the emperor and died "invidia Græcorum veneno"[2664].

d) EMMA . The De nobili genere Crispinorum names "Emmam, Petri de Condeto genetricem, atque Esiliam, matrem Willelmi Malet" as the two daughters of "Gislebertus…Crispini cognomen" and his wife[2665]. m ---. One child:

i) PIERRE de Condé .

e) [ESILIA . The De nobili genere Crispinorum names "Emmam, Petri de Condeto genetricem, atque Esiliam, matrem Willelmi Malet" as the two daughters of "Gislebertus…Crispini cognomen" and his wife[2666]. However, the wife of William Malet is recorded in a later primary source with the same name so it is possible that the manuscript confuses his mother and his wife. Either m --- [Malet], son of ---, or m GUILLAUME Malet, son of --- (-before 1086).]

Sources

• [2635] Robinson, J. A. (1911) Gilbert Crispin Abbot of Westminster (London).
• [2636] RHGF XIV, p. 268, and Robinson (1911), p. 13, quoting Achery, L. Lanfranci Opera, App. p. 52.
• [2637] Richemond, E. (1908) Recherches généalogiques sur la famille des seigneurs de Nemours du XII au XV siècle (Fontainebleau), Vol. II, p. 97.
• [2638] RHGF XIV, p. 268, and Robinson (1911), p. 13, quoting Achery, L. Lanfranci Opera, App. p. 52.
• [2639] Lot. F. (1913) Etudes critiques sur l´abbaye de Saint-Wandrille, Bibliothèque de l´Ecole des Hautes Etudes, 204e fascicule (Paris), Appendice, (“Saint-Wandrille”), 19, p. 62.
• [2640] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, p. 268.
• [2641] Orderic Vitalis, Vol. II, Book III, p. 85.
• [2642] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, pp. 268-9.
• [2643] Willelmi Gemmetencis Historiæ (Du Chesne, 1619), Liber VII, V, p. 269.
• [2644] Delisle (1867), Pièces justificatives, 22, p. 26.
• [2645] Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum (1913), Vol. I, 150, p. 41.
• [2646] Rouen Sainte-Trinité, LXXXIII, p. 463.
• [2647] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, pp. 268-9.
• [2648] Robinson (1911), p. 14.
• [2649] Delisle (1867), Pièces justificatives, 22, p. 26.
• [2650] Extrait de la Chronique de Normandie, RHGF XIII, p. 236.
• [2651] Robinson (1911), p. 15, citing necrology and Nomina Monachorum of Beaumont-le-Roger, Bibl. nat., Latin, 13905.
• [2652] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, p. 270.
• [2653] CP VII Appendix D, pp. 708-10 footnote j.
• [2654] Gurney (1845), p. 52, quoting Achery, L. d´ Lanfranci Opera, fo. 1648, Appendix, Chronicon Beccense, p. 5.
• [2655] Delisle (1867), Pièces justificatives, 37, p. 41.
• [2656] Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum (1913), Vol. I, 146a, p. 39.
• [2657] Bayeux (Livre noir), Tome I, VI, p. 10.
• [2658] Rule, M. (ed.) (1884) Eadmeri Historia Novorum in Anglia (London) ("Eadmer"), p. 184.
• [2659] Calvados (Anisy), Vol. I, Saint-André-en-Gouffern, 7, p. 409.
• [2660] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, p. 270.
• [2661] Robinson (1911), p. 17.
• [2662] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, p. 270.
• [2663] Dugdale Monasticon I, Westminster Abbey, p. 269.
• [2664] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, pp. 268-9.
• [2665] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, p. 268.
• [2666] De nobili genere Crispinorum, RHGF XIV, p. 268.