Beatrix described as being the niece of Rotrou du Perche, earl of Moreton

It is questionable whether Beatrix was the daughter of Nicholas d'Estouteville as according to Medlands Nicholas had no daughter Beatrix and although Richer de Laigle did marry a Beatrix her parentage is unknown.

(Posting my research regarding the origins of Beatrix, in response to an inquiry by David Vincent Bigelow, Curator):

I have...looked at the case of Beatrix NN, wife of Richer, 5th Baron de L'Aigle -- and niece (by marriage) of Rotrou I "le Grand" de Châteaudun, comte du Perche

In every source I reviewed this afternoon, including of course Medlands, etc., she was never identified beyond, "Beatrix". The most information I could find is this google translation of "Histoire des antiquités de la ville de l'Aigle..." (p.274) by Jean-François-Gabriel Vaugeois who according to French Wikipedia [and the National Library of France website, BnF] was a member of the Society of Antiquaries of France.

BnF Person Record for Jean-François Gabriel Vaugeois (1753-1839)

"His wife was named Beatrix; they had as children, Richer who succeeded him; another son who, it is said, was called Guillaume and whose fate is unknown; a [daughter], named Julienne, who was prioress at Chaise-Dieu in 1155; another, [unnamed daughter], who married Guillaume de Saint-Celerin, lord of Montreuil and d'Échauffours; and a third [daughter], called Félicie, who was prioress of Chaise-Dieu in 1218; finally a fourth [daughter] who married a viscount of Beaumont in Maine."

Other fairly relevant sources I reviewed this afternoon:

"THE BARONAGE OF ENGLAND AFTER THE Norman Conquest" (p.476, by Wm. Dugdale)

"The history of the ancient town and borough of Newbury in the county of Berks" by Walter Money (pedigree chart, p.62)

Family tree of Rotrou de Perche, from Walter Money, Newbury, 1887

"Family Tradition and the Crusading Impulse: The Rotrou Counts of the Perche" by Kathleen Thompson in the journal Medieval Prosopography Vol. 19 (1998), pp. 1-33 (33 pages) Published By: Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University through its Medieval Institute Publications

Kathleen Thompson has written extensively about the both the Perche and the L'Aigle families, but the article cited above is the only one I can find that is freely available to read online. Other articles of interest by her are:

"The Lords of Laigle: Ambition and Insecurity on the borders of Normandy" in Anglo-Norman Studies; XVIII; ed. Christopher Harper-Bill, Woodbridge, 1996, pp. 178, 199 - Snippet of a review.

And a snippet of the actual article for "Power and Border Lordship in Medieval France: The County of the Perche, 1000-1226"

In a different snippet of Ms. Thompson's "Lords of Laigle", I find the author provided a nice pedigree chart for the family. And here, she does name "Beatrix" as the wife of Richer. First name only for Beatrix, no hint of her origins.

The Laigle Dynasty c. 1025-1231 (fig. 3, p.183)

So for me, that settles the question of Beatrix "niece of Rotrou" (by marriage, at least). Her name was Beatrix and her parentage is unknown. I don't know what their primary sources were, but I personally have no problem trusting in the authority of serious scholars like Kathleen Thompson and Jean-François-Gabriel Vaugeois.

From Medlands:

[showing that Nicholas d'Estouteville was not father of Beatrix}

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMAN%20NOBILITY.htm#NicholasEstou...

NICOLAS [I] d´Estouteville, son of ROBERT [II] d´Estouteville & his [first wife Jeanne Talbot] (-22 Apr 1177). Morandière names "Nicholas d´Estouteville" as the son of "Robert II le jeune d´Estouteville" and his first wife "Jehanne Talebot" but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1520]. Père Anselme names "Nicolas I sire d´Estouteville et de Vallemont, baron de Cleuville" as the oldest son of Robert [II] d´Estouteville without naming his mother, and without citing a primary source[1521]. "…Nicholao de Stotavilla…" witnessed the charter dated to [Sep 1151/Jan 1153] under which "Henricus dux Norm et comes Andeg" donated property to the abbey of Mortemer[1522]. "Nicolaus de Stotevilla" founded the abbey of Valmont, with the consent of "Roberti filii mei", for the souls of "…Iulianæ uxoris meæ et Roberti filii mei et aliorum filiorum meorum", by undated charter[1523], the foundation dated to 1169 in Gallia Christiana[1524]. “Nicholao de Stotevilla…Roberto de Stotevill” witnessed the undated charter under which Henry II King of England confirmed the foundation of the abbey of Le Valasse[1525]. Round dates this document to [1166/67][1526]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records enfeoffments in the duchy of Normandy in [1172], "Nicholaus de Stuteville" with one knight "de feodo de logis et prato…in baillia Willelmi de Malepalet" and "vii hospitibus quos habet apud Fiscanum"[1527]. "…Nicolao de Stutevilla…Roberto de Stutevilla" subscribed the charter dated [1172/78] under which Henry II King of England confirmed donations to the abbey of Valasse[1528]. The necrology of Valmont records the death 22 Apr of "Nicholai primi fundatoris"[1529]. Domesday Descendants records that Nicholas died in 1177 but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1530]. Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "[Nicolai] de Stotevilla…Juliane uxoris predicti Nicolai…Roberti de Stotavilla filii eiusdem Nicolai…et…Nicolai de Stotevilla filii predicti Nicolai…Willelmi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…Richardi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…", by charter dated to [1181/83][1531].

m JULIANE, daughter of --- (-5 Nov ----). "Nicolaus de Stotevilla" founded the abbey of Valmont, with the consent of "Roberti filii mei", for the souls of "…Iulianæ uxoris meæ et Roberti filii mei et aliorum filiorum meorum", by undated charter[1532], the foundation dated to 1169 in Gallia Christiana[1533]. Her marriage is confirmed by the charter dated to [1181/83] under which Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "[Nicolai] de Stotevilla…Juliane uxoris predicti Nicolai…Roberti de Stotavilla filii eiusdem Nicolai…et…Nicolai de Stotevilla filii predicti Nicolai…Willelmi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…Richardi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…"[1534]. Père Anselme names "Julienne, que l´on dit fille de Gaucher de Thorotte" as the wife of Nicholas d´Estouteville, without citing a primary source[1535]. The necrology of Valmont records the death 5 Nov of "Julianæ primæ fundatricis"[1536].

Nicolas [I] & his wife had five children:

1. ROBERT d´Estouteville (-[1185]). "Nicolaus de Stotevilla" founded the abbey of Valmont, with the consent of "Roberti filii mei", for the souls of "…Iulianæ uxoris meæ et Roberti filii mei et aliorum filiorum meorum", by undated charter[1537], the foundation dated to 1169 in Gallia Christiana[1538]. His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated to [1181/83] under which Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "[Nicolai] de Stotevilla…Juliane uxoris predicti Nicolai…Roberti de Stotavilla filii eiusdem Nicolai…et…Nicolai de Stotevilla filii predicti Nicolai…Willelmi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…Richardi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…"[1539]. "…Nicolao de Stutevilla…Roberto de Stutevilla" subscribed the charter dated [1172/78] under which Henry II King of England confirmed donations to the abbey of Valasse[1540]. Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "Roberti de Stuteville…Leonie uxoris predicti Roberti…Willelmi de Stuteville…Nicolai de Stuteville…Ricardi de Stuteville", by charter dated to [1177/89][1541]. "Eustachio de Stuteville, Willelmo de Stuteville, Ansel de Stuteville…" subscribed the charter dated to [1177/89] under which Henry II King of England donated the forest of Lillebonne to the abbey of Valmont, for the soul of "Roberti de Stuteville"[1542]. m LEONIE, daughter of --- (-after 1210). Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "Roberti de Stuteville…Leonie uxoris predicti Roberti…Willelmi de Stuteville…Nicolai de Stuteville…Ricardi de Stuteville", by charter dated to [1177/89][1543]. Père Anselme names "Leonelle dame de Rames, sœur et héritière de Robert seigneur de Rames" as the wife of Robert d´Estouteville, without citing a primary source[1544]. The Red Book of the Exchequer, listing scutage payments in [1194/95], records "Leonia de Stuteville" paying "ii m et dimidiam de parte sua de honore de Brunne" in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire[1545]. The same record lists "Gilbertus Peche" as paying "dimidiam de honore de Brunne", which suggests a family relationship between the two which has not yet been traced. "Leonia que fuit uxor Rob de Stutevill" paid a fine for "seisina tota terra sua…disseisita pro perceptu dñi Reg occoe filii eiusd Leon q est in Norm…et pro…manerio de Barton", in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, dated 1204[1546]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Leonia de Stuteville" holding half of one knight´s fee "in Biham…honor de Reimes" in Essex, Hertfordshire, and 15 in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, in [1210/12][1547]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Leoyna de Stuteville et Illaria Trussebute et Gulbertus Peche" holding land in "honor Peverelli de Dovere" in Norfolk, Suffolk in [1210/12][1548]. Robert & his wife had three children: a) HENRI d´Estouteville (-1231). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. - see below. b) EUSTACHE d´Estouteville . The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. c) SAMSON d´Estouteville (-after 1216). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified.

2. NICOLAS [II] d´Estouteville (-after [1187/88]). His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated to [1181/83] under which Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "[Nicolai] de Stotevilla…Juliane uxoris predicti Nicolai…Roberti de Stotavilla filii eiusdem Nicolai…et…Nicolai de Stotevilla filii predicti Nicolai…Willelmi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…Richardi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…"[1549]. Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "Roberti de Stuteville…Leonie uxoris predicti Roberti…Willelmi de Stuteville…Nicolai de Stuteville…Ricardi de Stuteville", by charter dated to [1177/89][1550]. Morandière quotes (in translation) an undated charter under which "Nicholas [d%C2%B4Estouteville]" donated property to Valmont, for the souls of "mon épouse Hodierne…mon frère Robert", but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1551]. "Nicholaus de Stutevilla" donated land "in Dregg" to St Bees by undated charter, witnessed by "Bartholomeo de Stutevilla…"[1552]. "Robertus de Stutevilla" confirmed donations to Rievaulx of "terram de Houetona" by undated charter witnessed by "…Johanne de Stutevilla, Nicholao de Stutevilla, Rogero de Stutevilla, Bartholomæo de Stutevilla…"[1553]. The 1187/88 Pipe Roll records "William de Lindeseia owes 40 marks for having the right in the K’s court against Henry the clerk of Appelby, the Countess of Albemarle, and Nicholas de Stuteville in Uckemanebi and Blendherseta, and Wuering, and Leventona, and Laweswater, and Bekyrmet and Stapelthein" in Cumberland[1554]. m HODIERNE, daughter of ---. Morandière quotes (in translation) an undated charter under which "Nicholas [d%C2%B4Estouteville]" donated property to Valmont, for the souls of "mon épouse Hodierne…mon frère Robert", but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1555]. Nicholas & his wife had two children: a) R[OBERT] de Stuteville . "Gaufridus Ridel" confirmed a grant of property to "Johanni de Stutuilla" in his fee by charter dated to [1160], witnessed by "…R. filius Nicolai de Stutavilla, Thomas frater suus…R. de Stutuilla, Nicolaus de Stutuilla"[1556]. b) THOMAS de Stuteville . "Gaufridus Ridel" confirmed a grant of property to "Johanni de Stutuilla" in his fee by charter dated to [1160], witnessed by "…R. filius Nicolai de Stutavilla, Thomas frater suus…R. de Stutuilla, Nicolaus de Stutuilla"[1557].

3. GUILLAUME d´Estouteville (-before 1210). His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated to [1181/83] under which Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "[Nicolai] de Stotevilla…Juliane uxoris predicti Nicolai…Roberti de Stotavilla filii eiusdem Nicolai…et…Nicolai de Stotevilla filii predicti Nicolai…Willelmi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…Richardi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…"[1558]. Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "Roberti de Stuteville…Leonie uxoris predicti Roberti…Willelmi de Stuteville…Nicolai de Stuteville…Ricardi de Stuteville", by charter dated to [1177/89], signed by "…Willelmo de Stutevilla…Anselmo de Stutevilla"[1559]. "Eustachio de Stuteville, Willelmo de Stuteville, Ansel de Stuteville…" subscribed the charter dated to [1177/89] under which Henry II King of England donated the forest of Lillebonne to the abbey of Valmont, for the soul of "Roberti de Stuteville"[1560]. Morandière quotes (in translation) an undated charter under which "Guillaume [d%C2%B4Estouteville]" donated property to Valmont, for the souls of "…mon frère Richard", but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1561]. [m HELENE de Ponthieu, daughter of JEAN [I] Comte de Ponthieu & his third wife Beatrix de Saint-Pol. Père Anselme records "Guillaume d´Estouteville", son of Nicolas [I] d´Estouteville, adding "à qui l´on donne femme, mais sans preuve, Helene de Ponthieu, on la dit fille de Jean I comte de Ponthieu et de Beatrix de S. Paul sa troisième femme"[1562].]

4. RICHARD d´Estouteville . His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated to [1181/83] under which Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "[Nicolai] de Stotevilla…Juliane uxoris predicti Nicolai…Roberti de Stotavilla filii eiusdem Nicolai…et…Nicolai de Stotevilla filii predicti Nicolai…Willelmi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…Richardi de Stotavilla filii predicti Nicolai senioris…"[1563]. Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Valmont, including donations by "Roberti de Stuteville…Leonie uxoris predicti Roberti…Willelmi de Stuteville…Nicolai de Stuteville…Ricardi de Stuteville", by charter dated to [1177/89][1564].

5. EUSTACHE d´Estouteville . Père Anselme names "Eustache" as the youngest son of Nicholas d´Estouteville, without citing a primary source[1565].

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From Medlands:

[showing that Beatrix wife of Richer de Laigle (de l'Aigle) parentage unknown]

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMAN%20NOBILITY.htm#JulianaLaigle...

RICHER de Laigle, son of GILBERT de Laigle & his wife Juliana de Mortagne ([1095]-[24 Aug] 1176, bur Saint-Sulpice-sur-Risle). He is named and his parentage given by Orderic Vitalis2095. "Rotrocus comes Perticensium" donated property to the abbey of Sainte-Trinité de Tiron by charter dated [1119] subscribed by "Juliane soror mea, Richerii filius eius"[2801]. He claimed his father's lands in England from King Henry but was refused on the excuse that his brothers were serving in the royal household troops and expecting the honor. It was eventually granted to him after the intervention of his uncle Comte Rotrou, but Louis VI King of France attacked Laigle and forced Richer to hand it to him 3 Sep 1118[2802]. "Richerus…dominus de Aquila" confirmed the donation of property to Notre-Dame de la Trappe by "Gerburgis mater Guillelmi Goidi de Asperis" by charter dated 1136[2803]. "…Richerius de Aquila…" witnessed the charter dated to [end 1150/early Sep 1151] under which "H. dux Normannorum" granted privileges to the citizens of Rouen[2804]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records enfeoffments in the duchy of Normandy in [1172], "Richerius de Aquila" with 5 knights and one half "de feodo de Crepo[n] in Cadamo"[2805]. Robert of Torigny records the death in 1176 of "Richerius de Aquila" and the succession of "Richerius filius eius"[2806].

m BEATRIX, daughter of ---. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified.

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