Earl William de Valence & Countess Joan de Munchensy

 11820102. Earl William de Valence & 11820103. Countess Joan de Munchensy

~1223, William de Valencia born in Valence, France, s/o 47249562. Hugh de Lusignan & 23638785. Isabella of Angouleme [widow of King John.] William took his name from his birthplace, the Cistercian abbey in Valence. (S) Weir, P402.

~1235, Joan de Monte Canisio born in England, d/o 23640206. Warin de Munchensi & 23640207. Joan Marshall.

3/1242, William’s father provided for the partition of his lands after his death leaving William Montignac in the Angoumois, and Bellac & Champagnac in La Marche.

7/31/1247, After his lands were annexed in France, William came to the court of King Henry III and was made governor of Goodrich castle. William, a cousin of lord Edward [future King Edward I], and King Henry III’s half-brother through his mother’s prior marriage to King John, and as such gained a central position in the kingdom of England. [He quickly became known as a “needy” foreign relative of the King.]

[––William & Joan––]

8/13/1247, William married to Joan; who’s titles included the castle and lordship of Pembroke and the lordship of Wexford in Ireland. William was knighted in public by King Henry.

1248, Henry granted William the honor and castle of Hereford.

1248, William attended a tournament at Newbury in which he was injured.

2/13/1249, Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, agreed in the king’s court that all knights and free tenants of the county of Pembroke shall do suit to Sir William de Valencia and Joan his wife. (S) CPRs, 2/9/1368.

1249 at Brackly, William had a great win in a tournament against William de Oddingseles.

10/2/1249, William appointed joint ambassador to France.

1250, William “signed with the cross” and received a plea empowering him to receive payments on his wife’s lands.

7/2/1251, King Henry, at Marlborough, remitted £400 rent to William.

1251, William was in an argument before King Henry III with William de Odingsells. For this he was imprisoned, but soon released.

1252, William and his brother Aymer attacked the homes of Boniface of Savoy, archbishop of Canterbury, at Maidstone and Lambeth.

8/6/1253, William left with King Henry for Gascony from Portsmouth with 300 ships. King Henry was going to supress a rebellion.

10/23/1253, Henry’s army in camp at Benauge, France [east of Bordeaux].

12/28/1253 at Bazas, France, Inspeximus … Witnesses of the confirmation : - … William de Valencia, the king’s brother, … Hamo de Crevequer, … (S) CPRs.

2/20/1254 at Bazas, France, Philip de Marmion granted … Witnesses: John, earl of Warwick, Geoffrey de Lezinnan and William de Valencia, the king’s brothers, … (S) CPRs.

3/19/1254, King Henry’s army in camp at Meilhan, France [south of Bordeaux, near the Spanish border].

6/7/1254, Charter … John de Berneres, the elder, … Witnesses:- … Geoffrey de Lezygnan and William de Valenciis the king’s brothers, William de Cantilupo, … (S) CPRs.

8/12/1254, King Henry’s retinue in camp at Bordeaux, France.

11/20/1254 at Orleans, France, Charter … Witnesses:- Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, … John de Plessitis, earl of Warwick, Geoffrey and William de Valencia the king’s brothers, … [This charter sealed under the great seal again on 8/13/1355.] (S) CPRs.

1/1255, King Henry returned to England.

1255, William was the guardian of Joan’s younger brother William de Munchensi who had inherited his family titles as a minor.

9/9/1255, Notification by G. de Lezygnan and William de Valencia, the king’s brother, R. de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, R. le Bygod, … received into safe conduct … Alexander, king of Scotland and Margaret, queen of Scotland, his wife, … to the king at Werk … (S) CPRs.

9/16/1255, William granted a market and fair at Bampton, Oxfordshire. (S) Gaz. of Markets and Fairs.

Bef. 5/1257, William’s forces invaded the lands of Simon de Montfort.

6/15/1257, Bond by the king, Queen Eleanor and Edward their first-born son, to … citizens and merchants of Florence … in 10,000 marks … satisfy the king’s envoy to the court of Rome to the amount of 10,000 marks … Richard earl of Gloucester, William de Valencia, …, have sworn on the gospels to see that these conditions are kept. (S) CPRs.

8/25/1257, Admission to the king’s peace of David son of Griffin, … and Oweyn his brother … shall keep the lands … which Llewelin son of Griffin, their brother now holds, … By K. Edward his son, William de Valencia, …. (S) CPRs.

4/1258, William accused Simon de Montfort of giving aid to the Welsh.

6/1258, King Henry signed the Provisions of Oxford. These limitations by parliament [led by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester] granted money to Henry in exchange for administrative reform. A “Council of 15” was formed to enforce the reforms. William, in opposition to the Provisions of Oxford imposed on King Henry, took refuge in Wolvesey castle; but was forced to surrender.

7/5/1258, William and his brothers were exiled by Montfort’s supporters, escorted to Dover by way of London. [They crossed the channel on the 14^th.] (S) CPRs.

11/6/1258, Grant … to Joan wife of William de Valencia, the king’s brother, of £400 a year for her maintenance … (S) CPRs. [Multiple records of Joan at this time, primarily dealing with the allocation of the £400.]

2/18/1259, Mandate to … the treasurer of the New Temple, London, to deliver to Joan de Valencia wife of William de Valencia, the king’s brother, … portion of the £400 a year granted to her … out of the issues of the lands of her husband … (S) CPRs.

12/1259, William, in Paris, while King Henry was visiting.

11/1260, Lord Edward met with William and his brother Aymer in Paris. (S) Edward I, Prestwich, 1988, P34.

4/30/1261, Admission William de Valencia, the king’s brother, into the king’s grace and remission of all rancour conceived against him; with restitution to him of all his lands with the castle of Hereford. (S) CPRs.

3/1262, King Henry III repudiated the Provisions of Oxford.

7/12/1262, Whereas the king is bound to William de Valencia in 1550 marks … (S) CPRs.

2/5/1263, Notification to Louis king of France … Appointment of … William de Valencia, the king’s brother, … as the king’s proctors … whatever remains to be done touching the late peace. (S) CPRs.

4/12/1263, Simon de Montfort returned to England [from France] to lead a rebellion of young barons.

7/8/1263, Grant to William de Valencia the king’s brother, … lands late of R. de Clare, earl of Gloucester, … (S) CPRs.

5/14/1264, Lord Edward (I) and his father King Henry III captured by Montfort at the battle of Lewes, Sussex, “at the Mill of the Hide”. An estimated 2700 died. Lord Edward and his knights penetrated the center of Montfort’s army, but was flanked on both sides by armored calvary.

5/14/1264, William fought for Henry III at the battle of Lewes. He was stationed on the right wing. William fled to France after the loss with Earl John de Warren (23639780, his brother-in-law).

6/17/1264, Joan, consort of William de Valencia, the king’s brother, has been commanded to leave the said castle [Windesor – where she was with Eleanor, consort of lord Edward, also told to leave] with her household, … and to to some convient religious or other place near those parts, until God delivers her of the offspring wherewith she is great … (S) CPRs.

7/18/1264, Commitment by the counsel and the king’s barons, to Joan de Valencia of the manors of … to hold in tenancy for the maintenance of herself, her children and household … (S) CPRs.

2/1265, William organized 120 fighting men and joined Queen Eleanor in Gascony where she was organizing an invasion force..

5/1265, William and John de Warren returned to England with a strong force, landing in Pembrokeshire. Queen Eleanor told them to link up with Gilbert de Clare, who was now with the Welsh barons against Montfort. They went on to fight at Gloucester and Kenilworth

1265, Lord Edward, Gilbert and Thomas de Clare, and Lord Edward’s half-uncle William de Valence succeeded in taking over much of the territory north and west of Hereford, and in particular the Severn Valley, splitting Montfort’s forces.

6/28/1265, … Whereas Edward the king’s son and Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester, together with John de Warenna, William de Valencia, Roger de Mortuo Mari, James de Aldithele, and other rebels now hold certain towns and castles throughout the land … (S) CPRs.

7/31/1265, Lord Edward (I) defeated Simon de Montfort’s son Simon at the battle of Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Most of Montfort’s forces were captured, Simon taking refuge in the castle. [Simon eventually escaped and joined other opposition forces at Axholme.]

8/24/1265, William fought at the battle of Evesham; the battle that ended the baron’s revolt.

8/4/1265, Lord Edward (I) defeated Montfort’s army at the battle of Evesham, Worcester, ending the Baron’s Revolt and freeing his father, who was wounded. Montfort and 2 of his sons were killed. [Queen Eleanor had sent archers from her mother’s county of Ponthieu in France.]

11/12/1265, Whereas William de Valencia, the king’s borther, during the late disturbance … besieged the castle of Haverford late of Humphrey de Bohun the younger then the king’s enemy and captured it from him, the king has granted to the said William the said castle … (S) CPRs.

5/1266, John de Warenna and William de Valencia attacked Bury St. Edmunds. For these efforts, William lands were returned and he was given constableship of Goodrich castle.

6/21/1266, William and John de Warren at the siege of Kenilworth.

6/21/1266, The siege of Kenilworth in Gloucester, ongoing, became the largest siege in the history of England. A garrison of over a thousand surrendered 12/13/1266.

1268 at Northampton, Lord Edward, his brother Edmund, Henry of Almain, earl Warren, the earl of Gloucester, Willaim de Valence, and many others agreed to go on crusade. (S) Edward I, Prestwich, 1988, P68.

12/28/1268, Charter, grant to Edward the king’s son, with the assent of Queen Eleanor, the honor of Elge’ … Sealed with the seal of the king and in testimony of her good will, with the queen’s seal. Witnesses: – Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, John de Warenne, earl of Surraye, William de Valenz, lord of Pembroc, … (S) CPRs.

3/7/1269, Grant to William de Valencia (11820102) the king's brother, in consideration of his services to the king and Edward his son, of the marriage of the heirs [John, future son-in-law] of Henry de Hastinges (11820100). CPRs.

4/6/1269, Letters patent … Edward, the king’s eldest son, William de Valence, Philip Basset, Alan la Zusche, Robert Aguilon, … have undertaken for Eleanor, queen of England, to pay Lady Isabel de Forz, countess of Aumale, £1000 of half the marriage of Avelina her daughter, heir to William de Forz, … (S) CChRs, 5/7/1269.

7/1270, Lord Edward made contracts with 18 nobles including Edmund of Lancaster, William de Valence, and Henry of Almain [likely each heading a contingent], as well as Payn de Chaworth and Robert Tibetot, to provide 225 knights at 100 marks per year pay. (S) Edward I, Prestwich, 1988, P68.

8/19/1270 from Dover, Lord Edward and his army left on the 8^th crusade.

11/10/1270, Lord Edward arrived in Tunis to find that King Louis had died, the crusader forces had been decimated by disease, and King Charles of Sicliy, his uncle by marriage, had already arranged a peace treaty with the emir of Tunis. The French fleet returned the next day.

1/1271, The English army retreated to Sicily.

By 5/1271, Lord Edward moved his forces to Acre; waiting for support to arrive [which never came.]

8/1272, William de Valence left the crusade to return to England. (S) Edward I, Prestwich, 1988, P78.

11/16/1272, Lord Edward ascended to the throne while returning from crusade.

9/1274, Joan wife of William de Valence against Agatha de Mortimer of a plea of land. (S) Cal. of Doc’s Relating to Ireland, 1877, P183.

9/1274, Pleas before the king. Suit of Thomas de Clare against William de Valence over 1,200 marks and the custody of the castle and honour of Leghey. (S) Cal. of Doc’s Relating to Ireland, P183.

7/15/1275, Mandate to the archbishop of Canterbury  to grant a dispensation at the king's request, setting forth that whereas enmity existed between himself and his father king Henry on one side, and Henry de Hastinges and his friends on the other, because he had opposed the king, the king and his brother William de Valentia, earl of Pembroke, their kinsmen and friends, purposed to make marriage between John son of Henry (5910050), and Isabella (5910051) daughter of William, who were in the third and fourth degrees of kindred, for the purpose of settling this enmity. The necessary dispensation is therefore to be granted, if the said marriage will be conducive to peace in England. (S) Cal. of Papal Reg’s Relating to Gr. Br. and Ireland, V1, 1893, 1 Gregory X.

6/1277, William de Valence the younger was killed in Wales supporting the earl of Gloucester. (S) Edward I, Prestwich, 1988, P190.

7/1277, William began a 3 month raid into Wales, reaching the castle of Aberystwth.

1279, William presided over the transfer of Agenais from France to England.

1279, Thomas de Weyland arbitrated a dispute between Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, and William.

6/25/1279, Protection … Geoffrey Gracely, going to the parts of Agen with William de Valencia, the king’s uncle on the king’s affairs. (S) CPRs.

7/18/1280, Letters for William de Valencia and Joan his wife … going beyond seas … attorneys in Ireland. (S) CPRs.

1281, William de Valentia, earl of Pembroke, held the market at Dunham, Nottinghamshire. (S) Gaz. of Markets and Fairs.

1282, William given a military command in south Wales.

12/1282, Edward defeated Llewelyn ap Gruffydd at the battle of Radnor in eastern Wales.

6/28/1283, William summoned to Shrewsbury by writ from Rhuddlan to the king to hold a colloquium to ordain what should be done with David, brother of Llewellyn, formerly prince of Wales. (S) The Titular Barony of Clavering, 1891, P16.

12/16/1283, Geoffrey de Genevill (4997436) and Matilda, his wife, and Peter (2498718), their eldest son, acknowledged that they owe to William de Valencia £1200 for the commission of lands that belonged to Maurice son of Gerald in Ireland tenant in chief, deceased, and for the marriage of Gerald, son and heir of the said Maurice, a minor in William's wardship by the demise of Thomas de Clare (2498706), to whom the king granted the wardship and marriage. (S) CCRs.

11/10/1288 in London, Letter of acquittance by William de Valence, Lord of Pembroke, to Sir Geoffrey de Geynville, the Lady Matilda his wife, and Sir Peter de Geynville, their son and heir, for £107 5s 11d … in full payment of 1200£ … for the marriage of Gerald Fitz Maurice. (S) Cal. of Doc’s Relating to Ireland.

1290, William Martin came to an agreement over Kemeys with the Earl of Pembroke, William de Valence.

3/2/1291, Letters … Joan the wife of William de Valencia, staying in England. (S) CPRs.

12/3/1291, Commission of oyer and terminer to … and John de Northwode, touching … free warrens of William de Valencia the king’s uncle, … county of Kent, … (S) CPRs.

1/20/1292, William de Valencia and Joan his wife staying in England, nominating … in Ireland. (S) CPRs.

1294, King Edward began a long war to protect lands in Gascony from Philip IV of France.

11/24/1294, The king is sending Roger de Bigod, earl of Norfolk and marshal of England with William de Valencia, earl of Pembroch, the king’s uncle, to South Wales against Welsh rebels, and appointing Roger de Molis as marshal of his army on that expedition ... (S) Wales: A National Magazine for the English, V3, Edwards, 1896, P115.

1295, William held out against a Welsh revolt.

9/1/1295, William de Valencia and Joan his wife staying in England, nominating … in Ireland. (S) CPRs.

1/1/1296, Ratification of a transfer by William de Valencia, earl of Pembroch, the king’s uncle, to Hugh le Despenser, of the king’s grant to him of the marriage of the heirs of Philip Burnel, tenant in chief. (S) CPRs.

6/1296 in France, William, Earl of Pembroke, slain at Bayonne during the seige of Bordeau; buried in Westminster Abbey.

[––Joan––]

12/30/1296, Joan, late the wife of William de Valencia, staying in England … (S) CPRs.

1297 at Goodrich castle, Joan advised Princess Joan to tell her father about her secret marriage.

7/3/1297, Confirmation of a surrender by Joan de Valencia, countess of Penbrok, to Aymer de Valencia, her son, … held by her in dower … (S) CPRs.

1297-98, The manor of Great Inkberrow was held by Joan de Valence, Agatha de Mortimer and Milicent de Monhaut. (S) A Hist. of the Co. of Worcester, V3, 1913. [Cousins of the Marshall family.]

3/16/1299, Joan testified at a court proceeding to associated with the Chapel of St. Nicholas in Yorkshire. (S) The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, 1884, P96.

10/24/1299, Joan, late the wife of William de Valencia, staying in England … (S) CPRs.

6/6/1301 at Goderich castle, Dame Joan de Valencia, countess of Pembroke, grantee for the good of her soul and the souls of her husband, Aymer her son, … a perch of land in Manerbir and the advowson of the church … (S) CPRs, 1/28/1331.

5/2/1302, Letters for Joan de Valencia, countess of Penbrok, staying in England … (S) CPRs.

8/10/1302, … Edward, prince of Wales and earl of Chester, the king’s son, and Joan de Valencia, countess of Pembroke, are commanded to supply a jury. (S) CPRs.

2/20/1303, Grant to the men of Joan de Valencia, countess of Pembroke, of her liberty of Pembroke, … (S) CPRs.

10/6/1305, Letters for Joan de Valencia, countess of Pembroke, staying in England … (S) CPRs.

1/24/1306, Grant to the men of Joan de Valencia, countess of Pembroke, of her liberty of Pembroke, … (S) CPRs.

1307, Joan, “Johanna de Monte Canyso” died holding the market and fair of Sutton Valence, Kent. (S) Gaz. of Markets and Fairs.

(S) Archaeologia Cambreusis The Journal of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, Smith, 1860. (S) Magna Carta Ancestry, P299. (S) Westminster Abbey History.

Family notes:

·         Joan well known for her patronage of the Anglo-Norman poet Walter of Bibbesworth, whose Treatise, a verse glossary of Anglo-Norman vocabulary, was written at her request for her children’s education.

Children of William and Joan:

i. Joan de Valence, born ~1260 in England.

Joan married John Comyn, s/o Sir John Comyn & Eleanor Baliol.

2/5/1380, IPM of John de Hastynges(d.12/30/1379, age 9), son and heir of John de Hastynges, late earl of Pembroke. Buckingham: …  His kinsfolk and next heirs are (1) Richard Talbot, knight, aged 28 years and more, son of Gilbert son of Elizabeth one of the daughters of Joan one of the sisters of Aymer de Valence, late earl of Pembroke, and (2) Elizabeth wife of John Scrop, aged 26 years and more, and Philippa wife of John Halsham, aged 24 years and more, daughters of David son of David son of Joan the other daughter of the said Joan sister of the said Aymer. (S) CIsPM.

ii. Agnes de Valence, born ~1264 in England.

Agnese married Maurice Fitz Gerald (4997414).

8/3/1266, Grant of John de Verdon to Sir Maurice son of Gerald and lady Agnes de Valencia his wife, in free marriage of the latter, all his lands … which he had of the gift of the said Sir Maurice in Munster, … if the said Maurice predecease his wife having no heir by her, she is to keep the same for life, … Witnesses: Sir Edward and Sir Edmund, sons of Henry [III]; … (S) CPRs, 11/1/1299.

1274, The king commanded the Justiciary of Ireland to see that Agnes de Valence, the king’s cousin, the widow of Maurice FitzGerald, should get what was due to her out of her late husband’s lands. 1288, Agnes, a widow, presented a clerk to the church of Geshil.

8/22/1297, Licence for John de Hastinges, going beyond seas with the king on his service, to demise for life to Agnes de Valencia, the king’s kinswoman, the manor of Blunham, co. Bedford, for £20 a year. (S) CPRs.

iii. Earl Amyer de Valence, born 1268-70 in England.

[Amyer heir of William and Joan, one of the wealthiest and most powerful men of his age.]

1297, Amyer accompanied Edward I on a campaign to Flanders.

7/22/1298, Amyer at the battle of Falkirk and the defeat of William Wallace.

1306, upon hearing of the murder of John Comyn [Amyer’s brother-in-law], Edward I reacted in fury, authorising Aymer to take extraordinary action against Bruce, who had since been crowned King of Scotland. Amyer won an important victory over Bruce that year at Methven.

1307, Amyer, Earl of Pembroke, defeated by Bruce at the battle of Loudon Hill.

Amyer nicknamed by Edward II’s idle favorite, Piers Gaveston “Joseph the Jew.”

6/1312, Piers Gaveston, taken by the barons, was placed in the custody of Amyer, Earl of Pembroke. Amyer made no resistance when the Earl of Warwick seized Gaveston, who turned him over to be executed.

1321, Amyer became an enemy of the Despensers.

1324, Amyer sent to France to negotiate over control of Gascony.

6/1324, Amyer died in Paris; married twice, no children.

iv. Isabel de Valence (5910051), born ~1270 in England.

2/5/1380, IPM of John de Hastynges(d.12/1379, age 9), son and heir of John de Hastynges, late earl of Pembroke. Bedford: … Reynold de Grey of Ruthyn, aged 26 years and more, is his kinsman and heir, to wit, son of Reynold (1477512) son of Elizabeth (2955025) daughter of John Hastynges (5910050) and Isabel (5910051) his wife one of the sisters and heirs of Aymer de Valence; which John and Isabel also had issue John brother of the said Elizabeth, who was father of Laurence (earl of Pembroke, d.8/20/1348) father of John (earl of Pembroke, d.1375) father of the said heir. (S) CIsPM.