William I Pantulf, 1st feudal baron of Wem

Curator note, Wikipedia says that William was born in Hemois, which no longer exists. Hemois was an ancient county under the Dukes of Normandy, the seat of which was Exmes, which was on Jan. 1, 2017 merged along with a number of adjacent counties into the new commune of Gouffern en Aug

William Pantulf From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Pantulf (died 16 April probably in 1112) was an Anglo-Norman nobleman and Baron of Wem. He was born in Hiémois, a county of Normandy, where his family had lived since around 1030. Pantulf held lands in Shropshire following the Norman Conquest of England. A vassal of Roger of Montgomery, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Pantulf was accused of murdering Roger's wife but proved his innocence of the charge by a trial by ordeal. When Roger's son Robert of Belleme rebelled against King Henry I of England, Pantulf did not take part and sided with the king. Upon his death, which most likely occurred in 1112, William's eldest son Philip inherited his Norman lands, and his second son Robert received the English lands.

Background and family Pantulf was from Normandy.[1] He originated probably to Aubry-le-Panthou in the traditional district Hiémois,[2] today in the Orne département. The place name element Panthou refers to him. His family had lived there since at least around 1030, as a charter of Jumièges Abbey shows the family as vassals of the House of Montgomery in the Montgomery lands near Sées.[3][a] Pantulf's mother was named Beatrice, and his sister was named Helwise, but his father's name and other siblings are not known.[5]

After the Conquest After the Norman Conquest of England, Pantulf held lands in Shropshire from Earl Roger de Montgomery.[5] The earl settled a number of his Norman vassals, including Pantulf, on his new lands in Sussex and Shropshire.[6] Pantulf was probably not present at the Battle of Hastings, likely due to Earl Roger's lack of participation in the campaign of conquest.[7] Pantulf's grants totalled eleven manors located in Hodnet Hundred.[8] Pantulf's lands in England were centered on Wem, and are considered a feudal barony, making Pantulf the first Baron of Wem.[9] Although he had substantial lands in England, Pantulf continued to spend most of his time on the continent.[7]

Pantulf was present at the consecration of the church at Bec Abbey on 23 October 1077, along with King William the Conqueror of England.[8] Pantulf lost his lands temporarily because he was suspected of murdering Roger's wife Mabel de Bellême,[5] around 1077.[10][b] Pantulf came under suspicion because Mabel had seized a castle at Peray en Saonnais held by Pantulf.[8] When he was accused of the murder,[12] Pantulf was in southern Italy, which had also been conquered by Normans.[11] Pantulf sought refuge at the Abbey of Saint-Evroul in Normandy while he was under suspicion; he and his family were under the protection of the abbot.[12]

Pantulf regained his lands after he cleared himself of the charge,[5] through the mechanism of a trial by ordeal.[c] It is not clear why the ordeal was required, with the historian David Bates speculating that either the evidence of Pantulf's involvement was not conclusive or that murder victim's family demanded the ordeal because they suspected any evidence pointing to Pantulf's innocence.[10] Pantulf gave Saint-Evroul four altar frontals for the abbey's help after he was cleared of the charges.[13]

By 1086 Pantulf held 29 manors in Shropshire, along with other lands in Staffordshire and Warwickshire.[8] When Roger's son Robert de Bellême became Earl of Shrewsbury in 1098, Pantulf was once more deprived of those lands he held as a vassal of the Earl.[8]

Role in rebellion In 1102 Robert de Bellême rebelled against King Henry I of England. Although Pantulf was still deprived of his previous holdings, he offered to support Robert, but was rebuffed and instead supported the king.[8] Henry placed Stafford Castle in Pantulf's custody.[3] Besides controlling Stafford Castle, Pantulf mediated between Henry and some of the Welsh princes, who had previously sided with Robert, and helped secure their support for the king.[14] Later Pantulf again acted as an envoy for the king, being sent to secure the switch of sides of Robert's men who were holding Bridgnorth. Pantulf won their change of sides by offering the men lands worth a 100 pounds on the king's behalf.[15] His services to the king earned Pantulf the restoration of his confiscated estates as well as the grant of further lands—including the fief of Roger de Courcelles.[8]

Death and legacy Pantulf married Lescelina[d] and they had four sons – Philip, Ivo, Arnald and Robert. He and his wife founded Noron Priory,[5] in 1073. This was located in Normandy and was founded as a small dependent priory of Saint Evroul.[12] Besides Noron, Pantulf was also a benefactor of the Saint-Evroul.[1] In 1092 Pantulf journeyed to southern Italy again, this time to secure a relic of Saint Nicholas for his foundation at Noron.[11][e] During this visit, he was offered extensive lands in Apulia by Robert Guiscard, but declined the offer and returned to the north.[3] Pantulf died on 16 April, probably in 1112,[8] when his English lands were transferred to his second son Robert. The Norman lands went to the eldest son, Philip.[9] Pantulf and his wife were buried at Noron in the cloister of his priory there.[8]

Orderic Vitalis described Pantulf as "kind to the poor, to whom he was liberal in alms, he was firm in prosperity and adversity, put down all his enemies, and exercised great power through his wealth and possessions".[19]

Notes ^ The charter was granted by Roger de Montgomery, seigneur of Montgomery and was witnessed by a William Pantulf, but whether the William the witness and the later William were the same person is not known.[4] ^ The actual murderer was Hugh Bunel,[11] sometimes known as Hugh d'Igle.[8] ^ One source gives the type of ordeal as being that of the hot iron.[12] ^ Her name is sometimes spelled Lesceline.[16] ^ The exact relic was a tooth,[17] and Pantulf also brought back a piece of the saint's tomb.[18]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Pantulf

—————————

from fmgMedlands

1. WILLIAM [I] Pantulf (-16 Apr, after 1112, bur Noron Saint-Pierre). Orderic Vitalis records "Guillelmum cognomento Pantulfum et Picodum atque Corbatum, filiosque eius Rogerium et Rodbertum" as vassals of Roger de Montgommery in Shropshire, dated to [1071] from the context[4]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Guillelmus miles cognomento Pantol" donated "ecclesias de Norun" to "S. Ebrulfo", with the consent of "Rogerio comite domino suo", in 1073, and donated "terram quam Beatrix mater eius in dominio habebat apud Fossas" to "S. Petro"[5]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Willelmum Pantol et Rodbertum de Cordaio nepotem suum" accompanied "Rodbertus…abbas, frater Hugonis de Grentemaisnilio" to Apulia in 1077[6]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Willelmo Pantol", after his return from Apulia, was accused of involvement in the murder of "Mabilia comitissa" [wife of Roger de Montgommery] by "militis Hugonis de Jalgeio" and had his lands confiscated by Roger de Montgommery[7]. Domesday Book records “William Pantulf” holding Wolverley, Great Wytheford, Horton, Wem and many other places in Shropshire[8]. Orderic Vitalis records a second journey to Apulia made by "Willelmus" after the death of William I King of England, after which he donated "unum manerium in Anglia…Traditona" [Trotton, Sussex] to "ecclesia B. Petri"[9]. Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112, shortly before he died[10]. Orderic Vitalis records a second journey to Apulia made by "Willelmus" after the death of William I King of England, after which he donated "unum manerium in Anglia…Traditona" [Trotton, Sussex] to "ecclesia B. Petri"[11]. Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112[12]. Orderic Vitalis records the death "XVI Kal Mai" of "Guillelmo Pantulfo"[13].

m LESCELINE, daughter of --- (-21 Sep, after 1112, bur Noron Saint-Pierre). Her marriage is confirmed by Orderic Vitalis who records the donations made by "Guillelmus miles cognomento Pantol" and later refers to "Willelmus et Leelina uxor eius"[14]. Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112[15]. Orderic Vitalis records the death "XI Kal Oct" of "Guillelmo Pantulfo…Leelina uxor eius"[16].

William [I] & his wife had four children: a) PHILIP Pantulf . Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112, commenting that Philip inherited his father’s patrimony "in Normannia"[17]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Philippus et Robertus ac Ivo et Arnulfus, filii eorum" had not increased the donations of their parents since they died[18].

b) ROBERT Pantulf (-after 1130). Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112, commenting that "filii eius…Rodbertus" inherited his father’s property "in Anglia"[19]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Philippus et Robertus ac Ivo et Arnulfus, filii eorum" had not increased the donations of their parents since they died[20]. The 1130 Pipe Roll records "Hugo Malbaeng" accounting "pro placito Duelli inter eum et Robertum Pantulf"[21]. m ---. The name of Robert’s wife is not known. Robert & his wife had [two] children: i) [IVO Pantulf (-after [1175/76]). Eyton records that Robert had a son named Ivo, ancestor of the later Pantulf family, but he does not cite the primary source on which the information is based[22]. Ivo’s date of death indicates that he was not the same person as Ivo, son of William Pantulf.] - see below. ii) [ALEXANDER Pantulf (-after [1175/76]). "Ivo Pantul" donated "terram…Hida…ad manerium Hales" to Haughmond abbey, with the consent of "Willielmi filii Alani", by undated charter (dated to [1175/76]%29 witnessed by "Ivone capellano, Alexandro fratre meo, Waltero Meverello, Radulpho Diablo"[23].]

c) IVO Pantulf Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112[24]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Philippus et Robertus ac Ivo et Arnulfus, filii eorum" had not increased the donations of their parents since they died[25].

d) ARNULF Pantulf . Orderic Vitalis records that "idem Guillelmus" made another donation to "ecclesia B. Petri", with the consent of "Leelina uxore sua…tres filii eorum Philippus et Ivo et Arnulfus", in 1112[26]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Philippus et Robertus ac Ivo et Arnulfus, filii eorum" had not increased the donations of their parents since they died[27].

———————- Sources:

Keats-Rohan, K.S.B. Domesday People: A Prosopography of Persons Occuring in English Documents 1066-1166. I. Domesday Book. The Boydell Press, Woodbridge, UK, 1999. pp. 493-494.