Sir Hugo ‘Forestarius’ Forester, Gov. of Etherstone

Sir Hugo Forster, Governor of Etherstone Castle died 1121

Parents: Sir Richard Forster b. abt. 1050 (of Flanders and Scotland) & Unknown

Married: Unknown

Children:

1. Sir Reginald Forster Governor of Etherstone Castle d. 1156

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http://www.buckhart.com/History/Foster.htm

The Forsters of Bamborough Castle were lords of the Blanchlands in Northumberland, and for several generations they were Knights-Banneret, Lords Warden of the Middle Marches, High Sheriffs of Northumberland and hereditary Governors of Bamborough Castle. Sir Richard was succeeded by his sun:

11. SIR HUGO, who fought against Magnus, King of Norway, when he invaded England in A.D. 1101. In the battle which occurred, King Magnus was slain and his troops were routed. Sir Hugo died in 1121, leaving a son:

• 12. i. Sir Reginald, who succeeded him, and
• 13. ii. Sir Hugo

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Governor of Etherstone Castle

Was General of the English army which marched against Magnus, King of Norway, when he invaded England A.D. 1103. In the battle that ensued King Magnus was slain and his troops routed. Sir Hugo died in 1121, leaving issue.

He was succeeded by his son Reginald.

He fought in Scotland and England against Magnus, King of Norway in 1101. Hugo also fought with Henry I of England against the usurping Duke Robert de Mowbray in 1106. He succeeded Richard as Governor of Etherstone. His wife is unknown, but they had two sons named Hugo and Reginald.

"Sir Hugo Forester (d. 1121). Some sources identify this man and Sir Richard as the same person. He fought against Magnus, King of Norway in 1101 and helped King Richard I fight against Robert in 1106. He had two sons, Hugo and Reginald."

NOTE: There is no history written in any reputable books that indicates King Magnus, whose date of death is 24 August 1103, ever engaged Hugo Forster in 1103, and certainly there is nothing about his death except that he died in Ulster, Ireland and not England or Scotland

References to NOTE:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357664/Magnus-III

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Barefoot

Governor of Etherstone He married a DAUGHTER of BARDULF Bishop of Whitern.  

Pierce says “He marched against Magnus of Norway. A. D. 1101, defeated and slew him”, but Magnus III was killed by an axe wielding Irishman in 1103.  Methinks Pierce had a bit of romance in his genealogist heart.

Magnus III sought to re-establish Norwegian influence around the Irish Sea. In 1098 Magnus left with a fleet of 60 ships and 5,000 men to Orkney, where the strength of the fleet led to a reinforcement of the Norwegian king’s dominion. Magnus Barefoot then led his fleet from Mann to Ynys Môn, Gwynedd,  and appeared off of the coast at Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island), interrupting a Norman victory celebration after they had recently defeated the Welsh of Gwynedd.

In the battle that followed between the Norman occupiers and the Norse, known as the Battle of Anglesey Sound, Magnus shot dead the earl of Shrewsbury with an arrow to the eye. The Norse left as suddenly as they had arrived, leaving the Norman army weakened and demoralized. Magnus conquered the Orkney Islands, the Hebrides and the Isle of Man. Edgar, King of Scotland signed a treaty with Magnus setting the boundary between Scots and Norwegian claims in the west. By ceding claims to the Hebrides and Kintyre to Magnus, Edgar acknowledged the practical realities of the existing situation. Magnus returned to Norway in early 1099.

According to the sagas, in 1103 Magnus set out again to raid in Ireland. He made an alliance with the powerful Munster king and self-proclaimed High King of Ireland, Muirchertach Ua Briain,, whose young daughter married Magnus’s young son, Sigurd I Magnusson. Muirchertach had controlled Dublin since 1093, and at this stage in his career seems to have regarded Magnus as an ally with the necessary seapower in his ongoing war with the Mac Lochlainn dynasty of the north-west.

In 1103 they made a joint assault in the north, where Muirchertach’s forces were routed. Magnus then decided to return to Norway. He sent a message with a small group of his men to Muirchertach Ua Briain, who had returned to Connaught, requesting provisions for the sea journey ahead of them.

According to the sagas, while awaiting these supplies, they went on land through a marshy area and saw a large dust cloud on the horizon. It was discovered that it was indeed the men with the supplies they were awaiting.

It was at this point that a large force of the Ulaid came out from their hiding places in the marsh and copses, putting into action an ambush. The Norse forces were taken by surprise and were not in battle order.  Magnus attempted to assert control over his disordered army, ordering a portion of his force to seize the more secure ground and provide archer fire to slow down the Irish. In the ensuing melee, King Magnus received wounds to his legs, being pierced by a spear through both thighs above the knees but he fought on, attempting to get his men back to the level ground of the camp site. An axe wielding Irishman charged the King and struck him in the neck, before he was himself killed by Magnus’s personal guard. King Magnus died where he fell on St Bartholomew’s day 24th Aug 1103, aged 29 years. He was the last Norwegian king to fall in battle abroad. The Norse who escaped the ambush sailed back to Norway. One of Magnus’ men who survived the attack took Magnus’ famous sword Legbiter back to Norway

It is also said that Sir Hugo helped King Henry I  defeat his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106.   He had two sons, Hugo and Reginald.

The Battle of Tinchebray  was fought 28 Sep 1106, in the town of Tinchebray , Normandy, between an invading force led by Henry I of England, and his older brother Robert Curthose, the Duke of Normandy. Henry’s knights won a decisive victory, capturing Robert and imprisoning him in England and then Wales until Robert’s death in Cardiff Castle. England and Normandy remained under a single ruler until 1204.

According to Pierce and many copied sources, Hugo was Governor of Etherstone.  It took some searching, but I’ve confirmed that Etherstone  is known today Adderstone.

References

1. [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fosterfamily/foster2.html]
2. Foster genealogy: Genealogy Is Traced Back to Anacher, Great Forester of Flanders Who Dies in 837 A.d. with Wills, Inventories, Biographical Sketches, Etc. Also, the Record of All Other American Fosters. Chicago: F. C. Pierce, 1899.
3. http://www.timgreenwood.org/greenwoodtree/798.htm