Haimo (dapifer)
Encyclopedia
Haimo or Hamo (sometimes Haimo Dapifer or Hamo Dapifer) was an Anglo-Norman
royal official under both King William I of England
and King William II of England
. He held the office of dapifer, or seneschal
, as well as the office of Sheriff of Kent
.
Haimo was the son of Haimo Dentatus, a Norman lord who held Torigny-sur-Vire near Manche
in Normandy
. The elder Haimo rebelled against Duke William, later King William I, and died about 1047.
Haimo was steward to both King William I and William II. He was in the office of steward by 1069. Haimo was appointed to the office of Sheriff of Kent
in 1077, and held it until his death. During William II's reign, Haimo was one of five known stewards, the others were Eudo
, Eudo's brother Hubert of Ryes, Roger Bigod
, and Ivo Taillebois.
The historian Emma Mason argues that Haimo, along with Ranulf Flambard
, Urse d'Abetot
, Robert Fitzhamon
(Haimo's son), Roger Bigod, and Eudo Dapifer, were the first recognizable barons of the Exchequer
, during King William II's reign. These men were often associated in government together, witnessing documents and being used by William II as officials. Haimo witnessed six of William II's writ
s. Haimo's involvement in the higher levels of government dates especially from William II's absence from England in the late 1090s. In 1099, when William was in Normandy, Haimo was one of the main assistants to Flambard, who was left in charge of England in the king's absence.
According to Domesday Book
, Haimo held lands in Kent, Surrey, and Essex, with the estates in Essex being larger than the other two counties.
Haimo was still witnessing royal documents in September 1099, and was one of the witnesses to the letter that King Henry I
, William's brother and successor, wrote to Anselm
, the Archbishop of Canterbury
, shortly after Henry's accession to the throne after William II's death in a hunting accident.
Haimo died at some point shortly after this. He had two sons, Haimo, who became sheriff after him, and Robert fitz Haimo
. Robert was probably the elder, as he received his father's lands in Normandy after Haimo's death. The younger Haimo received the English lands.
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
royal official under both King William I of England
William I of England
William I , also known as William the Conqueror , was the first Norman King of England from Christmas 1066 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy from 3 July 1035 until his death, under the name William II...
and King William II of England
William II of England
William II , the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. He was less successful in extending control into Wales...
. He held the office of dapifer, or seneschal
Seneschal
A seneschal was an officer in the houses of important nobles in the Middle Ages. In the French administrative system of the Middle Ages, the sénéchal was also a royal officer in charge of justice and control of the administration in southern provinces, equivalent to the northern French bailli...
, as well as the office of Sheriff of Kent
High Sheriff of Kent
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
.
Haimo was the son of Haimo Dentatus, a Norman lord who held Torigny-sur-Vire near Manche
Manche
Manche is a French department in Normandy named after La Manche , which is the French name for the English Channel.- History :Manche is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. The elder Haimo rebelled against Duke William, later King William I, and died about 1047.
Haimo was steward to both King William I and William II. He was in the office of steward by 1069. Haimo was appointed to the office of Sheriff of Kent
High Sheriff of Kent
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
in 1077, and held it until his death. During William II's reign, Haimo was one of five known stewards, the others were Eudo
Eudo Dapifer
Eudo Dapifer was a Norman aristocrat favoured by William the Conqueror.-Early life:Eudo was the fourth son of Hubert of Ryes, who is legendarily known as the loyal vassal who saved the life of Duke William of Normandy in his flight from Valognes during a revolt 1047. Eudo's brothers were Ralph,...
, Eudo's brother Hubert of Ryes, Roger Bigod
Roger Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk
Roger Bigod was a Norman knight who came to England in the Norman Conquest. He held great power in East Anglia, and five of his descendants were Earl of Norfolk. He was also known as Roger Bigot, appearing as such as a witness to the Charter of Liberties of Henry I of England.-Biography:Roger came...
, and Ivo Taillebois.
The historian Emma Mason argues that Haimo, along with Ranulf Flambard
Ranulf Flambard
Ranulf Flambard was a medieval Norman Bishop of Durham and an influential government minister of King William Rufus of England...
, Urse d'Abetot
Urse d'Abetot
Urse d'Abetot was a Norman as well as a medieval Sheriff of Worcestershire and royal official under Kings William I, William II and Henry I...
, Robert Fitzhamon
Robert Fitzhamon
Robert Fitzhamon , or Robert FitzHamon, Sieur de Creully in the Calvados region and Torigny in the Manche region of Normandy, was Lord of Gloucester and the Norman conqueror of Glamorgan, southern Wales...
(Haimo's son), Roger Bigod, and Eudo Dapifer, were the first recognizable barons of the Exchequer
Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer
The Chief Baron of the Exchequer was the first "baron" of the English Exchequer of pleas. "In the absence of both the Treasurer of the Exchequer or First Lord of the Treasury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it was he who presided in the equity court and answered the bar i.e...
, during King William II's reign. These men were often associated in government together, witnessing documents and being used by William II as officials. Haimo witnessed six of William II's writ
Writ
In common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction; in modern usage, this body is generally a court...
s. Haimo's involvement in the higher levels of government dates especially from William II's absence from England in the late 1090s. In 1099, when William was in Normandy, Haimo was one of the main assistants to Flambard, who was left in charge of England in the king's absence.
According to Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, Haimo held lands in Kent, Surrey, and Essex, with the estates in Essex being larger than the other two counties.
Haimo was still witnessing royal documents in September 1099, and was one of the witnesses to the letter that King Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
, William's brother and successor, wrote to Anselm
Anselm
Anselm may refer to any of several historical figures, or their works:*Saint Anselm, Duke of Friuli, 8th-century Abbot of Nonantula*Anselm of Farfa , abbot*Anselm II *Anselm of Liège , chronicler...
, the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, shortly after Henry's accession to the throne after William II's death in a hunting accident.
Haimo died at some point shortly after this. He had two sons, Haimo, who became sheriff after him, and Robert fitz Haimo
Robert Fitzhamon
Robert Fitzhamon , or Robert FitzHamon, Sieur de Creully in the Calvados region and Torigny in the Manche region of Normandy, was Lord of Gloucester and the Norman conqueror of Glamorgan, southern Wales...
. Robert was probably the elder, as he received his father's lands in Normandy after Haimo's death. The younger Haimo received the English lands.