The baronage of England, or, An historical account of the lives and most memorable actions of our English nobility in the Saxons time to the Norman conquest, and from thence, of those who had their rise before the end of King Henry the Third's reign deduced from publick records, antient historians, and other authorities / by William Dugdale ...

Rie.

IN the time of Edward the Confessor, Hu∣bert de Rie,* 1.1 a trustya 1.2 servant to William Duke of Normandy, being by him imployedb 1.3 to that King, when be lay on his Death bed came in ac 1.4 pompous equipage, into England; and af∣ter conference with King Edward, returned to the Duke, with those Tokens, whereby he was by that King declared his heir to the Crown of this Realm; viz.d 1.5 a Sword, in the Hilt whereof were inclosed some Reliques of Saints; a Hun∣ters horn of gold; and the Head of a mighty Stag: for which great service, he was then pro∣mised that he should be Steward of his Hous∣hold. But when Duke William had got the Crown; fearinge 1.6 that disturbances might arise in Normandy; and well weighingf 1.7 the fagacity in counsel, and dexterity in action of this Hu∣bert; he sentg 1.8 him thither, to have an eye to that danger; and soon after him, these his sons; viz.h 1.9 Ralphe, whom he had made Castellan of Notingham, Hubert Governor of the Castle of Norwich; and Adam, to whom he had given large possestions in Kent.

But Eudo* 1.10 (the fourth) continuing here in King Williams service; obtained from him di∣vers Lordships in sundry Counties; viz.i 1.11 in Essex twenty five; in Hartfordshire seven; in Berkshire one; in Bedfordshire twelve; in Norfolk nine; and in Suffolk ten. And personally attending at Court; it so hapned, that that William Fitz-Osberne, then Steward of the Houshold, had set before the King the Flesh of a Crane, scarce half rosted; whereat the King took such offence, as that he listed up his Fist, and had struken him fiersly, but that Eudo bore off the blow. Whereupon Fitz-Osberne grew so displeased, as that he quitted his Office; desiring that Eudo might have it. To which request, the King as well for his Father Huberts deme∣rits, and his own; as the desire of Fitz-Osberne, readily yeilded.

Being thus possessed of that great place; and waiting on the Conqueror at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Nor∣mandy, at the time of his Death; he so subtilly managed the business, on the behalf of William Rufus; as that he may well be accounted the chief instrument in raising him to the Royall Throne; for having first incited him to be active for himselfe, in that great affair, he hasted with him into England; and through his insinua∣tions with William de Pontearche, obtained the Keys of the Treasury, then at Winchester; Thence sped to Dover Castle, and obliged the Guardians of that strong Hold by solemne Oath, that they should not give it up to any, but by his advice.

The like he did at Pevensey, and Hastings, and other maritime Forts; pretending that the King (whose Death was kept secret) would stay longer in Normandy, and have good assu∣rance of the safety of his Castles, from himself then his Steward. But, having thus secured them, he returned to Winchester, and made it publickly knowne, that the King was dead; so that whilest the rest of the Nobles were consulting in Normandy, touching the succes∣sion; William Rufus was by the contrivance and actings of this Eudo, advanced to the Royall Throne.

For which great service, Rufus soon yeilded to the request, which the Inhabitants of Colchester made; viz. that they might have this Eudo to Govern amongst them, in that antient City. Whereupon coming thither, and making serious enquiry into the state thereof; he eased the op∣pressed, restrained the insolent; and pleased all.

And to the end, that impositions upon the peo∣ple might be timely alleviated, he retained to himself the lands of Condemned and Out∣lawed persons.

And discerning on the South part of the Town, a small assent; at the foot whereof Si∣ricus, a Priest, had then his habitation, and a little Church built of Wood to the honor of St. Iohn the Evangelist; wherein it was observed, that Divine Lights sometimes appeared by night, as also the sound of Heavenly Voices devoutly praising God (and yet no man there:) And moreover taking notice, what had hapned to a certain man, who had been put in Fetters by the Kings command; -viz. that standing in that Church, at the celebration of Mass, the Bolts of his Fetters flew out, whereby he was suddainly loosed; he became so much transported with these Mira∣cles, that he resolved to found an Abby in that place, wherein perpetual suffrages might be made for his Soul.

Which being made known to Maurice the then venerable Bishop of London; he forthwith came thither, and well approving the pious in∣tention of this devout man, promised his best assistance thereto.

In pursuance whereof, upon the fourteenth of the Calends of September, ann. 1096. the Fabrick being designed, and Workmen provi∣ded, this famous Eudo laid the first Stone in that building. But, as to his endowment there∣of with lands, and revenues, he could not then effect what he intended; in regard that he stood non in favour with King Henry the first (at the entrance of whose Reign this good work was begun) being suspected for a well-wisher to his brother Robert Curthose.

Nevertheless King Henry, for the sake of Ro∣hese then wife to this Eudo, daughterx 1.12 of Walter Giffard Earl of Buckingham, and sistery 1.13 to William Giffard Bishop of Winchester, wi∣dow z 1.14 of Richard son of Gilbert Earl of Brio•••• in Normandy, did not carry a severe hand to∣wards him; but at the instance of that Bishop, and of Peter de Valoins, his Sisters Son, recei∣ved him into favour: So that, at length this pious work being finished, he endowed it with Lands, Tithes, and Revenues, in such a plentiful man∣ner; as that those few Monks, who were thi∣ther brought from the Abby of St. Maries at York, to propagate their order in this new founded Monastry, did soon increase to the num∣ber of twenty and more.

It is farther memorable of this Eudo, that he builta 1.15 the Castle at Colchester, also, thatb 1.16 lying on his Death-bed at the Castle of Preaux in Normandy; he disposed of all his temporal estate, according to the exhortation of King Henry, who there visited him: And be∣queathing c 1.17 his Body to be buried in this his Abby at Colchester, then gave thereunto his Lordship of Brightling••ie, and an hundred pounds in Money; Likewise his Gold Ring, with a Topace; a standing Cup with Cover a∣dorned with Plates of Gold; together with his Horse and Mule. And there departed this Life; leaving issued 1.18 one sole Daughter and heir, cal∣led Margaret, the Wife of William de Mandevil; by whom she had issuee 1.19 Geofrey Mandevil, Earl of Essex, and Stewardf 1.20 of Normandy through her right.

Whereupon▪ his Body being brought over into England, was honorably Buriedh 1.21 at Colche∣ster, (as he desired) upon the morrow prece∣ding the Callends of March, ann. 1120. (20 H. 1.) But his Lady Rohesia, who diedk 1.22 in Normandy, shortly after, hadl 1.23 Sepulture there, in the Abby of Bec. After which, his possessions in Eng∣land, were by Maude the Empresse confirmed m 1.24 to the said Geffrey Mandevil Earl of Essex.

¶The next of this name,* 1.25 touching whom I find mention, is Henry de Rie; who in the year 1146. (11 Steph.) gaven 1.26 the mannor of Diepham, to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury. But, after him I come to ano∣ther Hubert;* 1.27 who, in 8 Hen. 2. is taken notice o 1.28 of in Com Norff. and in 12 Hen. 2. upon the Assessment of the Ayre, for marrying the Kings Daughter, certifiedp 1.29 that he had Thirty five Knights fees: for which in 14 Hen. 2. he paid q 1.30 Thirty five Marks: but dyed in 18 Hen. 2. or sooner: for in that year, upon Collection of the Scutage of Ireland, the Sheriff of Norfolk, accountedr 1.31 Thirty five pounds for the Scutage of those Thirty five Knights fees, of his Baro∣ny. But he left not any issue Male: for in 1 Ioh. Robert Fitz-Roger (a great Baron in Northum∣berland) gaves 1.32 Three hundred Marks, for the yonger daughter of this Hubert, to marry unto a nephew of his: and in 13 Ioh. upon Col∣lection t 1.33 of the Scutage of Scotland; Iohn Ma∣reschall, who had marriedu 1.34 one of the daugh∣ters and heires, answeredx 1.35 for Seventeen Knights fees and a half (part of that Honour) and Ro∣ger de Cresci, who hady 1.36 marryed another, as z 1.37 much.

¶Of this Family also (I presume) was Iohn de Rye;* 1.38 who adhering to the rebellious Barons, in 48 Hen. 3. was takena 1.39 prisoner (with ma∣ny more of that party) upon the storming of Northampton, by the Kings Forces: But in 53 Hen. 3. at the instanceb 1.40 of Edmund, the Kings son, obtained his pardonc 1.41, for his actings at that time.

After this; viz.* 1.42 in 5 & 6 Edw. 1. there was d 1.43 Nicholas de Rye, Sheriff of Lincolneshire. And in 9 Edw. 1. Ranulph de Rye obtained the Kings licencee 1.44, for a Market every week upon the Munday, at his Mannor of Gosberchurch, in Com. Linc. as also for a Fair there yearly, on the Eve, Day, and morrow after the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul; with free-warren in all his demesne lands at Gosberchirch, Swin∣flete, Quadavering, Donington, Iward∣by, and Houstorp, in Com. Linc. But foras∣much, as neither of these two, last mentioned; nor any of their posterity, are ranked amongst the Barons of this Realme, I shall not enquire farther after them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hubert.
• a 1.2

  Monast. Ang Vol 2. 889. b. n. 50. •• 60.
• b 1.3

  Monast. Ang Vol 2. 889. b. n. 50. •• 60.
• c 1.4

  Ibid. 890. a. &c.
• d 1.5

  Ibid. 890. a. &c.
• e 1.6

  Ibid.
• f 1.7

  Ibid.
• g 1.8

  Ibid.
• h 1.9

  Ibid.
• * 1.10

  Eudo Da∣piser.
• i 1.11

  Domesd. lib. in iisd. Com.
• x 1.12

  W Gemet. 312 ••. Monast. Angl. Vol. 1. 724 l. 7.
• y 1.13

  W Gemet. 312 ••. Monast. Angl. Vol. 1. 724 l. 7.
• z 1.14

  W Gemet. 312 ••. Monast. Angl. Vol. 1. 724 l. 7.
• a 1.15

  Monast Ang. Vol 1. ••24. b.
• b 1.16

  Monast Ang. Vol 2. 891. b. n 60.
• c 1.17

  Ibid. 892. a. n. 10.
• d 1.18

  Monast. Ang. V••l. 1. 724. n. 10.
• e 1.19

  Monast. Ang. Vol. 1. 754. n. 10.
• f 1.20

  Monast. Ang. Vol. 1. 754. n. 10.
• h 1.21

  Ibid. n. 40.
• k 1.22

  Ibid. n. 50.
• l 1.23

  Ibid. n. 50.
• m 1.24

  Ex magno Registro in Officio Ducat. Laneast.
• * 1.25

  Henry.
• n 1.26

  Mon. Angl. Vol. 1. 22 ••. n. 60.
• * 1.27

  Hubert.
• o 1.28

  Rot. Pip 8 H 2. Norff.
• p 1.29

  Lib. dub. sub∣tit. Norff.
• q 1.30

  Rot. Pip. 14 H. 2. Norff.
• r 1.31

  Rot. Pip. 18 H. 2. Norff.
• s 1.32

  Oblat•• 1 Ioh. m. 19. Norff.
• t 1.33

  Rot. Pip. 13 Ioh. Norff.
• u 1.34

  Rot. Pip. 13 Ioh. Norff.
• x 1.35

  Rot. Pip. 13 Ioh. Norff.
• y 1.36

  Rot. Pip. 13 Ioh. Norff.
• z 1.37

  Rot. Pip. 13 Ioh. Norff.
• * 1.38

  Iohn.
• a 1.39

  MS. in bibl. Bodl. 8. V. ••. Th. ••38. b.
• b 1.40

  Pat. 53 H. 3. m. 24.
• c 1.41

  Pat. 53 H. 3. m. 24.
• * 1.42

  Nicholas.
• d 1.43

  Rot. Pip. de iisd. ann. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e 1.44

  Cart. 9 E 1. n. 17.