Biography of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury 1301-1349

In or before 1301 [his father] William Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 25) and [his mother] Elizabeth Montfort Baroness Furnivall Baroness Montagu (age 25) were married.

In 1301 William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury was born to William Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 26) and Elizabeth Montfort Baroness Furnivall Baroness Montagu (age 26).

On 18 Oct 1319 [his father] William Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 44) died at Gascony [Map]. His son William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 18) succeeded 3rd Baron Montagu.

Around 1320 William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 19) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Montagu.

Before 08 Jun 1322 [his step-father] Thomas Furnival 1st Baron Furnivall (age 62) and [his mother] Elizabeth Montfort Baroness Furnivall Baroness Montagu (age 47) were married. She by marriage Baroness Furnivall.

In or before 1324 [his daughter] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 22) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 19).

On 18 Oct 1327 [his brother-in-law] Bishop John Grandison 3rd Baron Grandison (age 35) was consecrated Bishop of Exeter.

Around 1328 [his son-in-law] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere (age 13) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer (age 4) were married. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 27) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 24). He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 25 Jun 1328 [his son] William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 27) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 24).

Around 1330 [his daughter] Sybil Montagu was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 29) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 26).

Around 1330 [his son] John Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Baron Monthermer was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 29) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 26).

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan 1329. [17 Oct 1330]. In y^e moneth of Octobre, vpon the. xvii. daye, and euyn of seynt Luke, syr Roger Mortymer (age 43) before named, by means of syr Wyllyam Montaygne (age 29), syr Rafe Staforde, syr lohn Neuyle, and other, by a compassyd meane was takyn in the castell of Notyngham [Map], notwithstandyrige that the keyes of the sayde eastell were dayly and nyghtlye vnder his warde and kepynge; the kynge, the quene, the olde quene (age 35), with dyuerse other noblys that beynge in the same eastell lodgyd. The maner of the takynge of this erle syr Roger Mortymer I passe ouer, for the dyuersyte that I haue seen thereof of sundry wryters; but many agreen, y^t he with syr Symonde of Bedforde, & other, were in that nyght takyn, and after sent vnto the Towre of London, and there put in streyghte kepynge. Then the kynge, in short processe after, callyd a parlyament at London for y^e reformacion of many thynges rnysorderyd in the realme, by mtatie of the foresayde syr Roger, as the comon fame then went.

Chronicle of the Kings of England by Richard Baker. [19 Oct 1330]. And as for Mortimer, (lying then in the Castle of Nottingham [Map] and lately created Earl of the Marches of Wales) he was seised on in this manner; the King taking with him William Montacute (age 29), Robert Holland, and others, go fecretly one night by Torch-light, through a privy way under ground,till they come to the Queens Chamber; where leaving the King without, they entred and found the Queen with Mortimer, ready to go to bed: then laying hands on him, they led him forth, after whom the Queen followed, crying, Bel fits, ayes pitie du gentil Mortimer; good son, good son, take pity upon the gentle Mortimer, suspecting that her son had been among them. This course was taken to apprehend him for avoiding of tumult, he having no fewer then ninescore Knights and Gentlemen, besides other meaner servants continually about him.

                    Scalacronica. [19 Oct 1330]. The council having been dissolved, the said William (age 29) said to the King that it were better to eat the dog than that the dog [should eat] them ; so he advised him to speak to the constable of the castle, charging him upon his oath and allegiance to keep the plan secret, and [directing] him to leave a postern open to the park that very night, and [warning him] that if he would not do so, he [the King] would cause him to be hanged so soon as he [the King] should have the upper hand. The said William arranged with his comrades to assemble by night at a certain thicket in the park to which all should come ; but they missed the trysting place, except the said William de Montacute and John de Nevill with four-and-twenty men, who kept their appointment well.
                
                    They were afraid that their comrades might miss them, and they durst not sound a call because of the sentries in the castle ; and so, as bold and enterprising men, they declared that, as the matter had gone so far, they would risk the adventure by themselves. They went forward, and found the postern open, as the King had commanded. They entered the castle and mounted the stairs of the second court without meeting anybody, for it was mirk night, and the followers of the [gentle] folk had left the castle for their lodgings. The Queen (age 35), Mortimer (age 43), and their confidential adherents were holding a council to take measures against this plot which had been discovered to them. They [the conspirators] entered the hall where the Queen was sitting in council. The usher cried out at their entry. Hugh de Turpington, who was steward of the King's household, [but] was of the Queen's party, rushed out of the council and met them in the middle of the hall, crying 'Down with the traitors!' and made to strike the first [of them] with a dagger, when John de Nevill ran him through the body and slew him, and an esquire [also] who offered resistance.
                
                    Then they passed forward into the chamber, and seized Mortimer and those whom they wished to have ; so that before dawn none remained in the town save those who were of the King's party, who had armed themselves when the conspirators entered the castle.

On 19 Oct 1330 John Neville 1299-1335, William Eland, William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 20), William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon (age 26) and William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 29), friends of King Edward III of England (age 17) secretly entered Nottingham Castle [Map] through tunnels, met with King Edward III of England, and arrested Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 43) and his son Geoffrey Mortimer (age 21) in the presence of Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 35).

Scalacronica. [29 Nov 1330]. He [the King] gave directions for the custody of his mother, and took the said Mortimer (age 43) with him to Leicester, where he intended to put him to death ; but he took other advice, causing a Parliament to be summoned to London, where Mortimer was drawn and hanged, upon a charge of having been party to the death of the King, the father [Edward II.], and because of the death of the Earl of Kent, and for the renunciation of the right to Scotland, and for the dissipation of the King's treasure which had been entrusted to him by his [Edward's] father, and upon other counts with which he was charged.

The lords who had been banished were restored. For a long time after this the King acted upon the advice of William de Montacute (age 29), who always encouraged him to excellence and honour and love of arms ; and so they led their young lives in pleasant fashion, until there came a more serious time with serious matters.

In 1332 [his daughter] Philippa Montagu Countess March was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 31) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 28).

                    In 1337 King Edward III of England (age 24) created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France ...
                
                    William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36) was created 1st Earl Salisbury. [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.
                
                    William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 27) was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.
                
                    Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 19) having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 35).
                
                    Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 38) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 51) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

Froissart Book 1 Chapter 41. 1339. When the Friday came in the morning, both hosts apparelled themselves ready, and every lord heard mass among their own companies and divers were shriven.

First we will speak of the order of the Englishmen, who drew them forward into the field and made three battles afoot, and did put all their horses and baggages into a little wood behind them, and fortified it. The first battle led¹ the duke of Gueldres, the marquis of Meissen, the marquis of Brandebourg, sir John of Hainault, the earl of Mons, the earl of Salm, the lord of Fauquemont, sir William of Duvenvoorde, sir Arnold of Baquehem and the Almains; and among them was twenty-two banners and sixty pennons in the whole, and eight thousand men. The second battle had the duke of Brabant and the lords and knights of his country - first the lord of Cuyk, the lord Berg, the lord of Breda, the lord of Rotselaer, the lord of Vorsselaer, the lord of Borgneval, the lord of Schoonvorst, the lord of Witham, the lord of Aerschot, the lord of Gaesbeck, the lord of Duffel, sir Thierry of Walcourt, sir Rasse of Gres, sir John of Kesterbeke, sir John Pyliser, sir Giles of Coterebbe, sir Walter of Huldeberg, the three brethren of Harlebeke, sir Henry of Flanders, and divers other barons and knights of Flanders, who were all under the duke of Brabant's banner, as the lord of Halewyn, the lord of Gruthuse, sir Hector Vilain, sir John of Rhodes, sir Wulfart of Ghistelles, sir William of Straten, sir Gossuin de la Moere, and many other: the duke of Brabant had a twenty-four banners and eighty pennons, and in all a seven thousand men. The third battle and the greatest had the king of England and with him his cousin the earl of Derby (age 29), the bishop of Lincoln (age 47), the bishop of Durham, the earl of Salisbury (age 38), the earl of Northampton (age 29), and of Gloucester (age 48), the earl of Suffolk (age 40), sir Robert d'Artois (age 52), as then called earl of Richmond⁵, the lord Raynold Cobham (age 44), the lord Percy, the lord Ros (age 54), the lord Mowbray (age 28), sir Lewis and sir John Beauchamp, the lord Delaware (age 62), the lord of Langton, the lord Basset, the lord Fitzwalter, sir Walter Manny (age 29), sir Hugh Hastings (age 29), sir John Lisle (age 20), and divers other that I cannot name: among other was sir John Chandos (age 19), of whom much honour is spoken in this book². The king had with him twenty-eight banners and ninety pennons, and in his battle a six thousand men of arms and six thousand archers; and he had set another battle as in a wing, whereof the earl of Warwick (age 25), the earl of Pembroke (age 19), the lord Berkeley (age 43), the lord Multon and divers other were as chief, and they were on horseback³. Thus when every lord was under his banner, as it was commanded by the marshals, the king of England mounted on a palfrey, accompanied all only with sir Robert d'Artois, sir Raynold Cobham and sir Walter of Manny, and rode along before all his battles, and right sweetly desired all his lords and other that they would that day aid to defend his honour. And they all promised him so to do. Then he returned to his own battle and set everything in good order and commanded that none should go before the marshals' banners.

Now let us speak of the lords of France, what they did. They were eleven score banners, four kings, six dukes, twenty-six earls, and more than four thousand knights, and of the commons of France more than sixty thousand. The kings that were there with king Philip of Valois was the king of Bohemia, the king of Navarre, and king David of Scotland: the duke of Normandy, the duke of Bretayne, the duke of Bourbon, the duke of Lorraine and the duke of Athens: 2 of earls, the earl of Alencon (age 42) brother to the king, the earl of Flanders, the earl of Hainault, the earl of Blois, the earl of Bar, the earl of Forez, the earl of Foix, the earl of Armagnac, the earl Dolphin of Auvergne, the earl of Joinville, the earl of Etampes, the earl of Vendome, the earl of Harcourt, the earl of Saint-Pol, the earl of Guines, the earl of Boulogne, the earl of Roucy, the earl of Dammartin, the earl of Valentinois, the earl of Auxerre, the earl of Sancerre, the earl of Geneva, the earl of Dreux; and of Gascoyne and of Languedoc so many earls and viscounts, that it were long to rehearse. It was a great beauty to behold the banners and standards waving in the wind, and horses barded, and knights and squires richly armed. The Frenchmen ordained three great battles, in each of them fifteen thousand men of arms and twenty thousand men afoot.

Note 1. Perhaps a misprint for 'had.' The original is 'eut.'

Note 2. In the later revision the writer says: 'I, Froissart, writer of these chronicles, more than once heard the gentle knight sir John Chandos say that he was made knight by the hand of the king Edward of England on this Friday that the assembly was at Buironfosse; and since that he was more valiant than any other who took arms on the side of the English, I make mention of this here.'

Note 3. The original says: ' So these remained on horseback to support those battles which should waver, and were as a rear-guard.'

Note 4. The name of the duke of Burgundy is omitted.

Note 5. TT. Robert III Artois wasn't created Earl Richmond until 1341?

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Around Nov 1340 [his son] William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 12) and [his daughter-in-law] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 12) were married. She was already married albeit secretly to Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent (age 26). The subsequent investigation found her marriage to Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent to be valid. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 43). He the son of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 39) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 36). She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Before 27 Apr 1341 [his son-in-law] Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 33) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer (age 17) were married. She by marriage Baroness Despencer. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 40) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 37). He a great grandson of King Edward I of England.

Before 16 Jul 1347 [his son-in-law] Edmund Fitzalan (age 20) and [his daughter] Sybil Montagu (age 17) were married. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 46) and [his wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 43). He the son of Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey (age 41) and Isabel Despencer Countess Arundel (age 35). He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England.

On 11 Jun 1349 William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 48) died. His son [his son] William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 20) succeeded 2nd Earl Salisbury, 4th Baron Montagu. [his daughter-in-law] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 20) by marriage Countess Salisbury.

On or before 23 Nov 1349 [his daughter] Agnes Montagu was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and [his former wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 45).

On or before 23 Nov 1349 [his daughter] Alice Montagu was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and [his former wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 45).

On 23 Nov 1349 [his former wife] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 45) died at Bisham Abbey [Map].

                    Parliament Rolls Richard II Jan 1397: On behalf of the earl of Salisbury. 26. [his son] William Montague, Earl of Salisbury, submitted a petition in parliament, the tenor of which follows:
                
                    To our lord the king his liege William Montague, Earl of Salisbury, prays: whereas the most noble King Edward [III], your grandfather, by his letters patent gave and granted to William Montague, Earl of Salisbury and father of the said supplicant, whose heir he is, and to the heirs issuing from his body, with the clause of warranty of the said very noble King Edward [III] and his heirs, the castle, town and honour of Denbigh, and the cantreds of Rhos, Rhufiniog, and Cymeirch and the commote of Dinmael with their appurtenances in Wales, as plainly appears from the said letters patent: which castle, town, and honour, cantreds and commote, with their appurtenances, Roger Mortimer, late Earl of March, by the name of the land of Denbigh, in Trinity term, in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of the said most noble King Edward [III] [18 June 1354-9 July 1354], before William Shareshull and his fellow justices assigned to hold the pleas before the said very noble King Edward [III], against the aforesaid supplicant, by erroneous judgment, recovered by a writ of scire facias, founded on a judgment given in the parliament held at Westminster on the Monday after the feast of St Mark the Evangelist in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of the said very noble King Edward [III], for the aforesaid Roger, on a petition showed by him to the said very noble King Edward [III] then, in the name of Roger Mortimer of Wigmore, son and heir of Edmund Mortimer, son and heir of Roger Mortimer; in which record and judgment on the said writ of scire facias there are patent errors.
                
                    May it please you of your gracious lordship to cause the full record to be brought before you, with all attachments to the same concerning the said writ of scire facias, in the present parliament, that they may be inspected and examined for error, and to forewarn [his great grandson] Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, cousin and heir of the aforesaid Roger son of Edmund, and others who are to be forewarned in the matter, to be before you at the next parliament to hear the said errors; and if they know of anything to say wherefor the aforesaid judgment on the said writ of scire facias should not be reversed, and the aforesaid supplicant restored to his said possession with the issues and profits in the meantime since the said loss, and also to do right and justice to the parties in the aforesaid manner. Whereupon, the said petition having been read before the king and lords of parliament, the king ordered Sir Walter Clopton, his chief justice, to bring before the king and lords in parliament the record of which the said petition made mention above. Which record, on the king's command, was later brought to parliament before the king and lords, and there it was read in part, and certain errors therein were pointed out and alleged by the said Earl of Salisbury. Whereupon the king, by the assent and advice of the lords of parliament, the justices of the king there present, granted and ordered that the said earl have a writ of scire facias on the matter of the said petition, returnable at the next parliament, as the same petition mentions.

Royal Descendants of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury 1301-1349

Ancestors of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury 1301-1349