Robert de Vieuxpont
Encyclopedia
Robert de Vieuxpont or Robert de Veteriponte was an Anglo-Norman
landowner and administrator in the north of England.
He was born the younger son of William de Vieuxpont
and his wife Maud de Morville.
He entered royal service and was initially employed in Normandy
as a paymaster of troops and director of military works, including those on Rouen Castle
. He was rewarded in February 1203 by being given custody of the castles of Appleby
and Brough
, to which the lordship of Westmorland was added a month later, together with the shrievalty of Westmorland
, to be held in perpetuity. He married Idonea, the daughter of John de Builli, which brought him more land and honours.
After returning from Normandy with King John in late 1203 Vieuxpont became increasingly involved in northern administration. In October 1204 he became High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests
including control of the castle of Nottingham
, an important royal treasury and power base. In 1206 he was a justice and assessor of tallage
in the northern counties, in 1207 he was given custody of the see
of York
, and in April 1208 custody of the see of Durham
. From 1210 to 1216 he was High Sheriff of Devon
and from 1210-1213 High Sheriff of Wiltshire
. He was highly trusted by John, who put in his care both his treasury, his son Richard and his niece Eleanor
. In 1216 he was also entrusted with the custody of Cumberland and Carlisle Castle and from 1217 to 1222 made High Sheriff of Cumberland
. He successfully defended his by now considerable holdings from Scottish depredation, building Brougham Castle
in the process.
In 1227 he bequeathed his body, along with his estate at Wycombe
in Buckinghamshire, to the Knights Templar
and died by 1 February 1228. His son and heir, John, died in 1242, his grandson, another Robert, in 1264 and the Vieuxpont inheritance was divided between the younger Robert's daughters Isabella and Idonea. On the death of Idonea however it passed to Isabella's husband Roger de Clifford to forge one of the greatest northern lordships. A daughter Christian married his ward, Thomas, the son of William of Greystoke, heir to the barony of Greystoke in Cumberland
.
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...
landowner and administrator in the north of England.
He was born the younger son of William de Vieuxpont
Vieuxpont
Vieuxpont is the name of a significant family in the history of Westmorland. According to Thomas the name originated in France on or about 1066 as Vieuxpont - alternative spellings include Vieuxpont, Veteripont Vezpont, Veepon, Vexpont, Vipont, Vypont, Vispont, Vypunt, Vespont, Vipond, Vypond,...
and his wife Maud de Morville.
He entered royal service and was initially employed 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:...
as a paymaster of troops and director of military works, including those on Rouen Castle
Rouen Castle
Rouen Castle was the castle of the town in Rouen, capital of the duchy of Normandy, now in France. It was built by Philip II of France from 1204 to 1210 following his capture of the duchy from John, duke of Normandy and king of England. Located outside the medieval town to its north, in a dominant...
. He was rewarded in February 1203 by being given custody of the castles of Appleby
Appleby Castle
Appleby Castle is in the town of Appleby, Cumbria overlooking the River Eden . It consists of a 12th-century castle keep which is known as Caesar's tower, and a mansion house. These, together with their associated buildings, are set in a courtyard surrounded by curtain walls...
and Brough
Brough Castle
Brough Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Brough, Cumbria , England. It is currently administered by English Heritage. The Castle consists of a large mound, on which there is an extensive range of buildings, with a circular corner tower, and the remnants of an older four storey...
, to which the lordship of Westmorland was added a month later, together with the shrievalty of Westmorland
High Sheriff of Westmorland
Westmorland in North West England no longer exists as a county, the original core of it having merged into the modern district of Eden within the county of Cumbria....
, to be held in perpetuity. He married Idonea, the daughter of John de Builli, which brought him more land and honours.
After returning from Normandy with King John in late 1203 Vieuxpont became increasingly involved in northern administration. In October 1204 he became High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests
High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests
This is a list of High Sheriffs 1068-1568.The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests is a position established by the Normans in England.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown...
including control of the castle of Nottingham
Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle is a castle in Nottingham, England. It is located in a commanding position on a natural promontory known as "'Castle Rock'", with cliffs high to the south and west. In the Middle Ages it was a major royal fortress and occasional royal residence...
, an important royal treasury and power base. In 1206 he was a justice and assessor of tallage
Tallage
Tallage or talliage may have signified at first any tax, but became in England and France a land use or land tenure tax. Later in England it was further limited to assessments by the crown upon cities, boroughs, and royal domains...
in the northern counties, in 1207 he was given custody of the see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, and in April 1208 custody of the see of Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
. From 1210 to 1216 he was High Sheriff of Devon
High Sheriff of Devon
The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he holds his office over the duration of a year. He has judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court...
and from 1210-1213 High Sheriff of Wiltshire
High Sheriff of Wiltshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Wiltshire.Until the 14th century the shrievalty was held ex officio by the castellans of Old Sarum.-To 1400:*1066: Edric*1067-1070: Philippe de Buckland*1085: Aiulphus the Sheriff*1070–1105: Edward of Salisbury...
. He was highly trusted by John, who put in his care both his treasury, his son Richard and his niece Eleanor
Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany
Eleanor the "Fair Maid of Brittany", 5th Countess of Richmond , also known as Damsel of Brittany or Pearl of Brittany for her peerless beauty, was the eldest daughter of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Constance, Duchess of Brittany...
. In 1216 he was also entrusted with the custody of Cumberland and Carlisle Castle and from 1217 to 1222 made High Sheriff of Cumberland
High Sheriff of Cumberland
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...
. He successfully defended his by now considerable holdings from Scottish depredation, building Brougham Castle
Brougham Castle
Brougham Castle is a medieval building about south-east of Penrith, Cumbria, England. It is a Scheduled Monument and open to the public. Founded by Robert de Vieuxpont in the early 13th century on the site of a Roman fort, it sits near the confluence of the rivers Eamont and Lowther...
in the process.
In 1227 he bequeathed his body, along with his estate at Wycombe
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
in Buckinghamshire, to the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
and died by 1 February 1228. His son and heir, John, died in 1242, his grandson, another Robert, in 1264 and the Vieuxpont inheritance was divided between the younger Robert's daughters Isabella and Idonea. On the death of Idonea however it passed to Isabella's husband Roger de Clifford to forge one of the greatest northern lordships. A daughter Christian married his ward, Thomas, the son of William of Greystoke, heir to the barony of Greystoke in Cumberland
Greystoke, Cumbria
Greystoke is a village and civil parish on the edge of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, about west of Penrith. The village centres on a green surrounded by stone houses and cottages.-Buildings:...
.