Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford

Primary Sources

Proof of age for Ralph son and heir of Edmund de Stafford. Writ 10 May, 15 Edward II [1322]. William de Stafford, aged 60, says that the said Ralph, born at Amynton [alias Abyndon] by Tamwurthe and baptized in the church of St. Edith in Tamwurthe, was 21 years of age on 24 September last [b. 1300], and this he knows because he lifted him from the sacred font.

Inquisitions Post Mortem for Ralph, Earl of Stafford. Writ 4 September, 46 Edward III [1372].
He died on the last day of August, 46 Edward III [1372]. Hugh de Stafford, aged 30 years and more, was son and heir of the earl and Margaret.

Notes

"Ralph de Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, KG (24 September 1301 – 31 August 1372) was an English nobleman and notable soldier during the Hundred Years War against France."

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Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_de_Stafford,_1st_Earl_of_Stafford See Below

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48355991

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISH%20NOBILITY%20MEDIEVAL2.htm#... See Below

http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I6014&tree=E...

http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I791&tree=Pa...

http://thepeerage.com/p812.htm#i8120

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From Wikipedia:

Early life and family

Ralph was born on 24 September 1301, the son of Edmund de Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford and Margaret Bassett.[1] Having lost his father at the age of seven, Ralph grew up in the midlands with his mother's relatives, including her second husband Thomas Pipe. He had his first experience of royal service, along with his brothers and stepfather, when he joined the retinue of Ralph, 2nd Lord Bassett.[2]

Career

Stafford was made a Knight banneret in 1327 and was fighting the Scots shortly afterwards. He supported the plot to free Edward III of England from the control of Roger Mortimer, which earned the king's gratitude. By the summer of 1332, he was a commissioner of the peace in Staffordshire and had served abroad on royal business, accompanying Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester. He was also still fighting the Scots, commanding archers at the Battle of Dupplin Moor on 11 Aug 1332 and on three further Scottish campaigns.[2]

He was first summoned to Parliament by writ as Lord Stafford on 29 November 1336 and continued to attend until 1350.

His military career continued, accompanying King Edward to France in 1338 as an advisor and being present at the naval battle of Sluys on 24 June 1340. He also fought at the relief of Brest and the siege of Morlaix. He was captured at Vannes but was exchanged in time to negotiate a truce at Malestroit.

On 6 January 1341, he was made Steward of the Royal Household but resigned that post on 29 March 1345 having assumed the office of Seneschal of Aquitaine, an English possession in France, where he stayed for about a year. Further battles included the battle of Auberoche, the siege of Aiguillon, from where he escaped prior to its lifting, a raid on Barfleur and the English victory at the Battle of Crecy, on 26 August 1346. He became one of the twenty-six founding members and the fifth Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348.[2]

In November 1347, his wife's father died; they were able to take possession of his estates without paying the king's homage, an indication of the relationship between them. Ralph was now a very wealthy man, from his estates and from the many prizes from the French war.[2]

Edward III created a number of new peerage titles to honour his war captains and to mark his jubilee year. Ralph was created the 1st Earl of Stafford on 5 March 1350, with an annuity of 1000 marks. He now replaced Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster as the king's lieutenant in Gascony, he committed to serve with 200 men at his expense with the expectation of this being doubled in March 1353 at the king's expense. The campaigns provided several captives that were ransomed, but were ultimately unsuccessful, leading to the appointment of Edward, Prince of Wales to command.[2]

Even at the age of sixty, Stafford continued to command troops and act as a royal envoy, both in France and in Ireland in 1361, accompanying Lionel of Antwerp to try and restore English control.

Marriages and children

Around 1326, Stafford married his first wife, Katherine Hastang (also known as Katherine Hastings).[1][3] Katherine was the daughter of Sir John de Hastang, Knight, of Chebsey, Staffordshire.[4] Ralph and Katherine had two daughters:

Margaret, married Sir John of Bramshall (or Wickham) de Stafford, Knight.
Joan, married Sir Nicholas de Beke, Knight. He later sensationally abducted Margaret de Audley, 2nd Baroness Audley, daughter of Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester and Margaret de Clare, who was worth at least £2314 a year, more than ten times his own estates. Her parents filed a complaint with King Edward III of England, but the King supported Stafford's actions. In compensation, the King appeased Hugh and Margaret by creating Hugh the 1st Earl of Gloucester. Margaret de Audley and Stafford married before 6 July 1336 and they subsequently had two sons and four daughters:

Ralph de Stafford (d. 1347), married Maud of Lancaster, daughter of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Isabel de Beaumont in 1344.[2][5] Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford, born circa 1336 in Staffordshire, England, married Philippa de Beauchamp; they were the ancestors of the Dukes of Buckingham (1444 creation).[5] Elizabeth de Stafford, born circa 1340 in Staffordshire, England, died 7 August 1376, married firstly Fulk le Strange;[5] married secondly, John de Ferrers, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley; married thirdly Reginald de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham.[6] Beatrice de Stafford, born circa 1341 in Staffordshire, England, died 1415, married firstly, in 1350, Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Desmond (d. June 1358); married secondly, Thomas de Ros, 4th Baron de Ros, of Helmsley; married thirdly Sir Richard Burley, Knt.[5] Joan de Stafford, born in 1344 in Staffordshire, England, died 1397, married firstly, John Charleton, 3rd Baron Cherleton;[5] married secondly Gilbert Talbot, 3rd Baron Talbot.[7] Katherine de Stafford, born circa 1348 in Staffordshire, England and died in December 1361. On 25 December 1357, she married Sir John de Sutton III (1339 – c. 1370 or 1376), Knight, Master of Dudley Castle, Staffordshire.[8] They were parents of Sir John de Sutton IV, hence grandparents of Sir John de Sutton V.[9] DeathEdit

He died on 31 August 1372 at Tonbridge Castle, Kent, England.[2] He was buried at Tonbridge Priory,[10] next to his second wife and her parents.[2]

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From Medlands:

RALPH de Stafford, son of EDMUND de Stafford Lord Stafford & his wife Margaret Basset (24 Sep 1301-31 Aug 1372, bur Tonbridge). A table (obviously of late composition because of the language), hanging in Stone priory at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries, names "Raufe…Earl of Stafford" as son of “Edmond”[687]. He succeeded his father in 1308 as Lord Stafford. A writ after the death of "Beatrice late the wife of Peter Corbet of Caus", dated "30 Aug 21 Edw III", names "Thomas Corbet…from whom issued Peter, Alice the elder daughter and Emma the younger", that "Alice" married "Robert de Staff[ord]" and "from them issued Nicholas who was her heir" and "from him came Edmund who had issue the present Ralph de Staff[ord]"[688]. He was created Earl of Stafford 5 Mar 1351.

m firstly ([1326/27]) KATHERINE Hastang, daughter of JOHN Hastang of Chebsey, Staffordshire & his wife Eve ---.

m secondly (before 6 Jul 1336) MARGARET de Audley, daughter of HUGH de Audley Earl of Gloucester & his wife Margaret de Clare (-after 28 Jan 1348, bur Tonbridge). She succeeded her father as Baroness Audley. “Radulphus comes Stafford et dominus de Tonebrugge” donated property to Cold Norton Priory, for the soul of “Margaretæ uxoris nostræ”, by undated charter witnessed by “Hugone de Stafford filio et hærede nostro, Ricardo de Stafford fratre nostro, Johanne de Peyto consanguineo nostro…”[689].

Earl Ralph & his second wife had five children:

1. RALPH (-1347 or before). m (1 Nov 1344) as her first husband, MATILDA of Lancaster, daughter of HENRY Earl of Lancaster & his wife Isabel de Beaumont ([4 Apr 1339/1341]-in England 10 Apr 1362, bur Rijnsburg Abbey).

2. BEATRICE (-13 or 14 Apr 1415). A manuscript narrating the foundation of Rievall Abbey records that “Thomas”, son of “Willielmus de Roos”, married “Beatricem filiam Radulphi comitis Staffordiæ”, by whom he was father of “Johannem, Willielmum, Thomam et Robertum, Elizabetham et Margaretam”[690]. The will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 6 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my sisters Roos and Charlton and Dame Elizabeth Stafford”[691]. m firstly (1350) MORICE FitzThomas, son of MORICE FitzThomas Earl of Desmond & his second wife Margaret O'Brien (1336-1358). He succeeded his father in 1356 as Earl of Desmond. m secondly (Royal licence 1 Jan 1359) THOMAS de Ros Lord Ros, son of WILLIAM de Ros Lord Ros & his Margery de Badlesmere (Stoke Albany, Northamptonshire 13 Jan 1337-Uffington, Lincolnshire 8 Jun 1384). m thirdly (before 20 Aug 1385) RICHARD de Burley (-23 May 1387).

3. JOAN (-before 1397). The will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 6 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my sisters Roos and Charlton and Dame Elizabeth Stafford”[692]. m firstly JOHN Cherleton Lord Cherleton, son of JOHN Cherleton Lord Cherleton & his wife Matilda de Mortimer ([1333/34]-13 Jul 1374). m secondly (before 16 Nov 1379) as his second wife, GILBERT Talbot Lord Talbot, daughter of RICHARD Talbot Lord Talbot & his wife Elizabeth Comyn of Badenoch ([1332]-Roales, Spain 24 Apr 1387).

4. HUGH (-1386, bur Stone Priory). “Radulphus comes Stafford et dominus de Tonebrugge” donated property to Cold Norton Priory, for the soul of “Margaretæ uxoris nostræ”, by undated charter witnessed by “Hugone de Stafford filio et hærede nostro, Ricardo de Stafford fratre nostro, Johanne de Peyto consanguineo nostro…”[693]. He succeeded his father in 1372 as Earl of Stafford. The will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 6 Apr 1385, chose burial “in the Priory of Stone”, bequeathed property to “my sisters Roos and Charlton and Dame Elizabeth Stafford” and appointed “my cousin the Archbishop of Canterbury, my brother the Earl of Warwick...” among his executors[694]. A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 15 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my daughter Joan [to] be well and fitly married...my three sons William, Edmund and Hugh...Thomas my son”[695]. A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 21 Sep 1385, bequeathed property to “my sister Roos...Margaret de Nevill my daughter...Katherine de la Pole my daughter...Joane my daughter...my sister Charleton...Dame Joane d´Engayne my cousin”[696]. m PHILIPPA de Beauchamp, daughter of THOMAS de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick & his wife Katherine de Mortimer. The will of "Katherine Countess of Warwick", dated 4 Aug 1369, bequeathed property to “the Earl my husband...Thomas my son...William my other son...Maud de Clifford my daughter...Philippa de Stafford my daughter...my daughter Alice...Margaret Montfort my daughter...Isabel my daughter...Elizabeth the daughter of my son Guy...”[697]. Hugh & his wife had six children:
a) THOMAS (1368 or before-Westminster 4 Jul 1392, bur Stone, Staffordshire). A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 15 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my daughter Joan [to] be well and fitly married...my three sons William, Edmund and Hugh...Thomas my son”[698]. He succeeded his father in 1386 as Earl of Stafford. m ([1390], not consummated) as her first husband, ANNE of Gloucester, daughter of THOMAS "of Woodstock" Duke of Gloucester (Apr 1383-16 Oct 1438, bur Llanthony Priory, Monmouthshire). She married secondly (before 28 Jun 1398) her first husband's brother, Edmund Earl of Stafford, and thirdly (before 20 Nov 1405) William Bourchier, who was created Comte d'Eu 10 Jun 1419. b) WILLIAM (-1395). A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 15 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my daughter Joan [to] be well and fitly married...my three sons William, Edmund and Hugh...Thomas my son”[699]. He succeeded his brother in 1392 as Earl of Stafford. c) MARGARET (-9 Jun 1396, bur Brancepath). A mid-15th century manuscript records that "Radulphus dominus de Neuill et comes Westmorlandie" married "Margareta filia Hugonis comitis Stafford, uxor prima"[700]. A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 21 Sep 1385, bequeathed property to “my sister Roos...Margaret de Nevill my daughter...Katherine de la Pole my daughter...Joane my daughter...my sister Charleton...Dame Joane d´Engayne my cousin”[701]. m as his first wife, RALPH Neville, son of JOHN Neville Lord Neville & his first wife Maud Percy ([1364]-Raby Castle 21 Oct 1425, bur Staindrop, co Durham). He succeeded his father in 1388 as Lord Neville. He was created Earl of Westmoreland 29 Sep 1397. d) CATHERINE (-8 Apr 1419, bur Wingfield). A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 21 Sep 1385, bequeathed property to “my sister Roos...Margaret de Nevill my daughter...Katherine de la Pole my daughter...Joane my daughter...my sister Charleton...Dame Joane d´Engayne my cousin”[702]. The will of "Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk", dated 1 Jul 1415, bequeathed property to “Katherine my wife...a coronet which belonged to the Earl of Stafford her father...my son a little primer which belonged to John de la Pole his brother”, and appointed “the said Katherine my wife and Edmund my uncle” as executors[703]. m (contract 1 Feb 1383, before 23 Nov 1383) MICHAEL de la Pole, son of MICHAEL de la Pole Earl of Suffolk & his wife Catherine Wingfield (1367 or before-Harfleur 18 Sep 1415, bur Wingfield). He was restored to his father's honours in 1398, thereby succeeding as Earl of Suffolk. e) JOAN (1371-[30 Sep/1 Oct] 1442). A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 15 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my daughter Joan [to] be well and fitly married...my three sons William, Edmund and Hugh...Thomas my son”[704]. A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 21 Sep 1385, bequeathed property to “my sister Roos...Margaret de Nevill my daughter...Katherine de la Pole my daughter...Joane my daughter...my sister Charleton...Dame Joane d´Engayne my cousin”[705]. The will of "Elizabeth Juliers Countess of Kent", dated 20 Apr 1411, proved 29 Jun 1411, chose burial “in the church of the Friars Minors in the city of Winchester in the tomb of John late Earl of Kent late my husband”, bequeathed property to “my...sister Alice Countess of Kent...Joan Countess of Kent”[706]. m (1392) THOMAS de Holand, son of THOMAS de Holand Earl of Kent & his wife Anne FitzAlan of Arundel ([1371]-beheaded 7/8 Jan 1400, bur Cirencester Abbey). He succeeded his father in 1397 as Earl of Kent, Lord Woodstock, Holand and Wake. He was created Duke of Surrey 29 Sep 1397. f) EDMUND (2 Mar 1378-killed in battle Shrewsbury 21 Jul 1403, bur Stafford, Church of the Austin Friars). A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 15 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my daughter Joan [to] be well and fitly married...my three sons William, Edmund and Hugh...Thomas my son”[707]. He succeeded his brother in 1395 as Earl of Stafford. Appointed Constable of England 21 Jul 1403. m (before 28 Jun 1398) as her second husband, his sister-in-law, ANNE of Gloucester, widow of THOMAS Earl of Stafford, daughter of THOMAS "of Woodstock" Duke of Gloucester & his wife Eleanor de Bohun (Apr 1383-16 Oct 1438, bur Llanthony Priory, Monmouthshire). She married thirdly (before 20 Nov 1405) William Bourchier, who was created Comte d'Eu 10 Jun 1419. The will of "Anne Countess of Stafford, Bockingh, Herford and Northampton, and Lady of Breknoc", dated 16 Oct 1438, chose burial “in ye churche of L’Anthony byside Gloucestre”, appointed “my sones Thomas bysshop of Worcestre, Henry Erle of Eue, Will Bougchiers, John Bourghiers...” and required “my...sone Humfrey Erle of Stafford” to oversee execution of the will[708]. Edmund & his wife had three children: i) ANNE ([1398/1403]-20 or 24 Sep 1432, bur St Katherine by the Tower, London). The will of "John Holland Duke of Exeter", dated 16 Jul 1447, chose burial “in the church of St Katherine beside the Tower of London in a tomb there ordained for me and Anne my first wife, as also for my sister Constance and Anne my wife now living”[709]. m firstly ([1415]%29 EDMUND [IV] Mortimer Earl of March, son of ROGER [VII] Mortimer Earl of March & his wife Eleanor de Holand (New Forest, Hampshire 6 Nov 1391-Trim Castle, co Meath 18 Jan 1425, bur Collegiate Church of Stoke Clare, Suffolk). m secondly (before 15 Jul 1427) as his first wife, JOHN de Holand, son of JOHN de Holand Duke of Exeter & his wife Elizabeth of Lancaster (Dartington, Devon 29 Mar 1395-5 Aug 1447 bur London, Church of St Katharine by the Tower). He was created Duke of Exeter 6 Jan 1444. ii) daughter. iii) HUMPHREY (1402-killed in battle Northampton 10 Jul 1460, bur Northampton, Grey Friars). He succeeded his father in 1403 as Earl of Stafford. The will of "Anne Countess of Stafford, Bockingh, Herford and Northampton, and Lady of Breknoc", dated 16 Oct 1438, required “my...sone Humfrey Erle of Stafford” to oversee execution of the will[710]. He was created Duke of Buckingham 14 Sep 1444. - DUKES of BUCKINGHAM. g) HUGH (-after 15 Apr 1385). A codicil to the will of "Hugh Earl of Stafford", dated 15 Apr 1385, bequeathed property to “my daughter Joan [to] be well and fitly married...my three sons William, Edmund and Hugh...Thomas my son”[711].

5. ELIZABETH (1333 or after-7 Aug 1375). m firstly (contract 12 Mar 1347) FULK Le Strange, son of JOHN Le Strange Lord Strange & his wife Ankaret Boteler of Wem, Shropshire ([1330/31]-30 Aug 1349). He succeeded his father in 1349 as Lord Lestrange. m secondly JOHN Lord Ferrers, son of ROBERT Ferrers & his first wife Margaret --- (1331-killed in battle Najera 1367). m thirdly as his first wife, REGINALD de Cobham (Lord Cobham of Sterborough), son of REGINALD de Cobham Lord Cobham (of Sterborough) & his wife Joan de Berkeley (1348-6 Jul 1403, bur Lingfield).

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Citations / Sources:

[S6] G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume I, page 346. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage.

[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume III, page 292.

[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume III, page 353.

[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume III, page 161.

[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume II, page 3.

[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume XII/1, page 176.

[S37] Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 3, page 3706. Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.

[S37] Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition, volume 1, page 1191.

[S1545] Mitchell Adams, "re: West Ancestors," e-mail message to Darryl Roger Lundy, 6 December 2005 - 19 June 2009. Hereinafter cited as "re: West Ancestors."

[S125] Richard Glanville-Brown, online <e-mail address>, Richard Glanville-Brown (RR 2, Milton, Ontario, Canada), downloaded 17 August 2005.

[S1916] Tim Boyle, "re: Boyle Family," e-mail message to Darryl Roger Lundy, 16 September 2006. Hereinafter cited as "re: Boyle Family."

[S41] #1325 Ogle and Bothal; or, A history of the baronies of Ogle, Bothal, and Hepple, and of the families of Ogle and Bertram, Ogle, Henry A., (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England : Reid, 1902), 929.242 Og5o., p. 298a.

[S32] #150 [1879-1967] A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage, Together with Memoirs of the Privy Councillors and Knights (1879-1967), Burke, Sir John Bernard, (London: Harrison, 1879-1967), FHL book 942 D22bup., 1967 ed. vol. 1 p. 794.

[S66] #242 [1831 edition] A General and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerages of England, Ireland, and Scotland, Extinct, Dormant, and in Abeyance (1831), Burke, John, (London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831), FHL book 942 D22bg 1831; FHL microfilm 845,453 ite., p. 511-515.

[S67] #205 Baronagium Genealogicum, Or, the Pedigrees of the English Peers, Deduced from the Earliest Times, of Which There Are Any Attested Accountes Including, as Well Collateral as Lineal Descents (1764-1784), Segar, Sir William, (6 volumes. [London]: Engraved and printed for the author, [1764-1784].), Volumes 1-4 FHL microfilm 164,680; volume 5 FHL mi., vol. 4 p. 353.

[S163] #687 The Dormant and Extinct Baronage of England, or, an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Lives, Public Employments, and Most Memorable Actions of the English Nobility Who Have Flourished from the Norman Conquest to the Year 1806 (1807-1837), Banks, Thomas Christopher, (4 volumes. London: J. White, 1807-1837), FHL book 942 D22ban., vol. 1 p. 408.

[S25] #798 The Wallop Family and Their Ancestry, Watney, Vernon James, (4 volumes. Oxford: John Johnson, 1928), FHL book Q 929.242 W159w; FHL microfilm 1696491 it., vol. 1 p. 197, vol. 2 p. 311, 383, vol. 3 p. 666, 715.

[S23] #849 Burke's Guide to the Royal Family (1973), (London: Burke's Peerage, c1973), FHl book 942 D22bgr., p. 196.

[S183] #1016 [1887 edition] The Royal Lineage of Our Noble and Gentle Families: Together with Their Paternal Ancestry, Foster, Joseph, (2 volumes. [S.l.: s.n., 1985?]), FHL book 942 D5f 1887., vol. 2 p. 448.

[S193] #1851 A Genealogical and Historical Account of the Throckmorton Family in England and the United States: with Brief Notes on Some of the Allied Families (1930), Throckmorton, C. Wickliffe (Charles Wickliffe), (Richmond: Old Dominion Press, 1930), FHL book 929.242 T416t; FHL microfilm 990,408 item., p. 279.