Walter de Manny, 1st Baron Manny
Encyclopedia
Walter De Manny, 1st Baron Manny, KG
(1310–1372), soldier of fortune
and founder of the Charterhouse
, was from Masny
in Hainaut
, from whose counts he claimed descent. Manny — the name is thus spelt by most English writers — was a patron and friend of Froissart, in whose chronicles his exploits have a conspicuous and probably an exaggerated place.
of Queen Philippa
in 1327, and he took a distinguished part in the Scottish wars of Edward III
, being present at the Battle of Dupplin Moor
and the Siege of Berwick. He captured the pirate John Crabb, whose expertise in fighting at sea would become of great value to the king.
In 1337 he was placed in command of an English fleet, and in the following year accompanied Edward to the Continent
, where in the campaigns of the next few years he proved himself one of the boldest and ablest of the English king's military commanders. He fought in the Battle of Sluys
.
When Hennebont
was besieged during the Breton War of Succession
, councillors tried to persuade Countess Joanna
to give up to Charles of Blois, nephew of Philip VI of France
. When she took a look out of the window, she saw the ships that Manny sailed towards them. With the help of Manny and his small force, she managed to withstand the siege.
In 1346 he was captured, despite having been offered safe conduct, and thrown into prison at Saint-Jean-d'Angély
. He quickly broke out of prison and joined the Siege of Calais, where he negotiated with the governor, after Philip VI had abandoned the city. He asked for mercy for The Burghers of Calais
, but Edward only granted this request when Queen Philippa added her pleas to his.
Manny also took part in the campaigns of the Earl of Derby
in Guyenne
, being present at the battles of Bergerac
and Auberoche
. He was summoned to parliament as a baron by writ from 12 November 1347 to 8 January 1371. In 1359 he was made a Knight of the Garter; and at various times he received extensive grants of land both in England
and in France
. He was frequently employed by King Edward in the conduct of diplomatic negotiations as well as in military commands. He was one of those charged with the safe custody of the French king John
when a prisoner at Calais
in 1360; in 1369 he was second in command under John of Gaunt in his invasion of France.
in London
. In 1349 he bought some acres of land near Smithfield, London
, which were consecrated as a burying-place where large numbers of the victims of the Black Death
were interred; and here he built a chapel, from which the place obtained the name of "Newchurchhaw." The chapel and ground were bought from Manny by the Bishop of London
, Michael Northburgh
, who died in 1361 and by his will bequeathed a large sum of money to found there a Carthusian
convent
. It is not clear whether this direction was ever carried out; for in 1371 Manny obtained letters patent from King Edward III permitting him to found, apparently on the same site, a Carthusian monastery called "La Salutation Mere Dieu", where the monks were to pray for the soul of Northburgh as well as for the soul of Manny himself. The bishop's bequest may have contributed to the building and endowment of the house; or possibly, as seems to be implied by a bull
granted by Urban VI, in 1378, there were originally two kindred establishments owing their foundation to Northburgh and Manny respectively. At all events Manny, who died early in 1372, left instructions that he was to be buried in the church of the Carthusian monastery founded by himself.
, son of King Edward I
, whose first husband had been John de Segrave, 4th Lord Segrave. This lady, who outlived Manny by many years, was countess of Norfolk in her own right, and she was created duchess of Norfolk in 1397. Manny left no surviving son. His daughter Anne, Baroness Manny in her own right, married John Hastings, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
; and on the death of her only son unmarried in 1389, the barony of Manny became extinct.
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(1310–1372), soldier of fortune
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
and founder of the Charterhouse
London Charterhouse
The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London dating back to the 14th century. It occupies land to the north of Charterhouse Square. The Charterhouse began as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371 and dissolved in 1537...
, was from Masny
Masny
-References:* *...
in Hainaut
County of Hainaut
The County of Hainaut was a historical region in the Low Countries with its capital at Mons . In English sources it is often given the archaic spelling Hainault....
, from whose counts he claimed descent. Manny — the name is thus spelt by most English writers — was a patron and friend of Froissart, in whose chronicles his exploits have a conspicuous and probably an exaggerated place.
Military career
He appears to have first come to England as an esquireEsquire
Esquire is a term of West European origin . Depending on the country, the term has different meanings...
of Queen Philippa
Philippa of Hainault
Philippa of Hainault, or, Philippe de Hainaut was the Queen consort of King Edward III of England. Edward, Duke of Guyenne, her future husband, promised in 1326 to marry her within the following two years...
in 1327, and he took a distinguished part in the Scottish wars of Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
, being present at the Battle of Dupplin Moor
Battle of Dupplin Moor
The Battle of Dupplin Moor was fought between supporters of the infant David II, the son of Robert the Bruce, and rebels supporting the Balliol claim in 1332. It was a significant battle of the Second War of Scottish Independence.-Background:...
and the Siege of Berwick. He captured the pirate John Crabb, whose expertise in fighting at sea would become of great value to the king.
In 1337 he was placed in command of an English fleet, and in the following year accompanied Edward to the Continent
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, where in the campaigns of the next few years he proved himself one of the boldest and ablest of the English king's military commanders. He fought in the Battle of Sluys
Battle of Sluys
The decisive naval Battle of Sluys , also called Battle of l'Ecluse was fought on 24 June 1340 as one of the opening conflicts of the Hundred Years' War...
.
When Hennebont
Hennebont
Hennebont is a commune in the Morbihan department in the region of Brittany in north-western France.-Geography:Hennebont is situated about ten miles from the mouth of the River Blavet, which divides it into two parts: the Ville Close, the medieval walled town, and the 17th century Ville Neuve on...
was besieged during the Breton War of Succession
Breton War of Succession
The Breton War of Succession was a conflict between the Houses of Blois and Montfort for control of the Duchy of Brittany. It was fought between 1341 and 1364. It formed an integral part of the early Hundred Years War due to the involvement of the French and English governments in the conflict; the...
, councillors tried to persuade Countess Joanna
Joanna of Flanders
Joanna of Flanders , also known as, Countess Jeanne, Jehanne de Montfort, and Jeanne la Flamme, was consort Duchess of Brittany by her marriage to John IV, Duke of Brittany...
to give up to Charles of Blois, nephew of Philip VI of France
Philip VI of France
Philip VI , known as the Fortunate and of Valois, was the King of France from 1328 to his death. He was also Count of Anjou, Maine, and Valois from 1325 to 1328...
. When she took a look out of the window, she saw the ships that Manny sailed towards them. With the help of Manny and his small force, she managed to withstand the siege.
In 1346 he was captured, despite having been offered safe conduct, and thrown into prison at Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Saint-Jean-d'Angély is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France.The commune has its historical origins in the Abbey of Saint-Jean-d'Angély.-Royal abbey:...
. He quickly broke out of prison and joined the Siege of Calais, where he negotiated with the governor, after Philip VI had abandoned the city. He asked for mercy for The Burghers of Calais
The Burghers of Calais
Les Bourgeois de Calais is one of the most famous sculptures by Auguste Rodin, completed in 1889. It serves as a monument to an occurrence in 1347 during the Hundred Years' War, when Calais, an important French port on the English Channel, was under siege by the English for over a year.-History:The...
, but Edward only granted this request when Queen Philippa added her pleas to his.
Manny also took part in the campaigns of the Earl of Derby
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 4th Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, KG , also Earl of Derby, was a member of the English nobility in the 14th century, and a prominent English diplomat, politician, and soldier...
in Guyenne
Guyenne
Guyenne or Guienne , , ; Occitan Guiana ) is a vaguely defined historic region of south-western France. The Province of Guyenne, sometimes called the Province of Guyenne and Gascony, was a large province of pre-revolutionary France....
, being present at the battles of Bergerac
Battle of Bergerac
The Battle of Bergerac was fought in August 1345. An Anglo-Gascon Army commanded by Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Derby, defeated a French force under Henri de Montigny, Seneschal of Périgord, outside the walls of Bergerac, leading to the loss of the town...
and Auberoche
Battle of Auberoche
The Battle of Auberoche was a significant action between English and French forces during the early stages of the Hundred Years War. It was fought at the village of Auberoche near Périgueux in Gascony. At the time, Gascony was territory of the English crown and the English army was largely made up...
. He was summoned to parliament as a baron by writ from 12 November 1347 to 8 January 1371. In 1359 he was made a Knight of the Garter; and at various times he received extensive grants of land both in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He was frequently employed by King Edward in the conduct of diplomatic negotiations as well as in military commands. He was one of those charged with the safe custody of the French king John
John II of France
John II , called John the Good , was the King of France from 1350 until his death. He was the second sovereign of the House of Valois and is perhaps best remembered as the king who was vanquished at the Battle of Poitiers and taken as a captive to England.The son of Philip VI and Joan the Lame,...
when a prisoner at Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
in 1360; in 1369 he was second in command under John of Gaunt in his invasion of France.
Philanthropy
Manny is also remembered for his share in the foundation of the CharterhouseLondon Charterhouse
The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London dating back to the 14th century. It occupies land to the north of Charterhouse Square. The Charterhouse began as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371 and dissolved in 1537...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In 1349 he bought some acres of land near Smithfield, London
Smithfield, London
Smithfield is an area of the City of London, in the ward of Farringdon Without. It is located in the north-west part of the City, and is mostly known for its centuries-old meat market, today the last surviving historical wholesale market in Central London...
, which were consecrated as a burying-place where large numbers of the victims of the Black Death
Black Death
The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Of several competing theories, the dominant explanation for the Black Death is the plague theory, which attributes the outbreak to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Thought to have...
were interred; and here he built a chapel, from which the place obtained the name of "Newchurchhaw." The chapel and ground were bought from Manny by the Bishop of London
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
, Michael Northburgh
Michael Northburgh
Michael Northburgh, otherwise Michael de Northburgh , was the Bishop of London between 1354 and his death in 1361.Northburgh occupied the office of Lord Privy Seal between 1350 and 1354....
, who died in 1361 and by his will bequeathed a large sum of money to found there a Carthusian
Carthusian
The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns...
convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
. It is not clear whether this direction was ever carried out; for in 1371 Manny obtained letters patent from King Edward III permitting him to found, apparently on the same site, a Carthusian monastery called "La Salutation Mere Dieu", where the monks were to pray for the soul of Northburgh as well as for the soul of Manny himself. The bishop's bequest may have contributed to the building and endowment of the house; or possibly, as seems to be implied by a bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
granted by Urban VI, in 1378, there were originally two kindred establishments owing their foundation to Northburgh and Manny respectively. At all events Manny, who died early in 1372, left instructions that he was to be buried in the church of the Carthusian monastery founded by himself.
Family
In the beginning of 1354 he married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of NorfolkThomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk
Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk, Lord Marshal of England was the son of Edward I of England and Margaret of France.-Early life:...
, son of King Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, whose first husband had been John de Segrave, 4th Lord Segrave. This lady, who outlived Manny by many years, was countess of Norfolk in her own right, and she was created duchess of Norfolk in 1397. Manny left no surviving son. His daughter Anne, Baroness Manny in her own right, married John Hastings, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
John Hastings, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
John Hastings, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, KG , was an English nobleman and soldier who also held the title Baron Abergavenny. He was the posthumous son of Laurence Hastings, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Agnes Mortimer.- Marriage :He was married on 19 May 1359 in Reading to Margaret , daughter of Edward III...
; and on the death of her only son unmarried in 1389, the barony of Manny became extinct.