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Sir 'Roger de Trumpington

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(The name Trumpington is Anglo Saxon in origin and means “Farm of Trumpa’s people”.)

In 1264 Simon de Montefort and his barons defeated King Henry III and consequently Roger de Trumpington had two of his manors, Trumpington and Girton, siezed by Walter de Colville.

The next year Simon de Montefort was killed at the battle of Evesham and Roger had his manors returned. He also gained lands in Madingley and Oakington from John de Burdeleys a de Montefort supporter.

A son named Giles was born to Roger in 1267.

On 28 June 1270 Roger went on Crusade to the Holy Land with Prince Edward and his brother Edmund. The core of the expedition was provided by the members of Edward’s household.

About 230 men received royal protections, Roger de Trumpington had protection for four years. Lesser individuals did not bother to obtain writs of protection.

There were thought to be 225 Knights who would have brought servants and others with them. The force was not large.

The rate of pay was 100 marks for each knight for a year‘s service, covering sea transport costs.

This was meant to be a French expedition, King Louis being the leader. This was the 8th Crusade.

A crusading expedition differed from other wars, the status of crusaders was carefully set out and defined in canon law. Spiritual advantages were remission of sins and the church accorded protection to the lands & goods of those who went on Crusade.

Most Crusaders did not look forward to Crusades. They disliked leaving home and leaving loved ones. They dreaded the Journey, especially by sea. During long overland marches, far from sources of regular supplies, they were often hungry and always had to forage. There was a heavy death toll of horses and pack animals, which meant that the knights lost status and had to fight on foot, reduced to carrying their own arms and armour in sacks over their shoulders.

Only by ritualism, a constant round of prooessions, prayers and even fasting were they able to bind together and help to alleviate feelings of homesickness and isolation. A small scratch could lead to a painful and lingering death. They were often frightened and panicked. Weak, confused, disorientated, battle-stressed men can respond by being cruel and brutal.

It was also distressing for the dependants left at home. Families and properties were supposed to be protected by Church and State, but this wasn‘ t effective. Wives and relations struggled to manage farms. Crusaders were usually absent for at least two years, or two harvests which could lead to ruin.

Most Crusaders engaged in a dangerous, unpleasant, unprofitable and extremely expensive enterprise and they did not seem to expect anything else.

The following are details of the expedition that Prince Edward took, Roger de Trumpington being one of his men.

From Canterbury Edward went to Dover and crossed to France on 20 August 1270. Hardly had he landed when he heard news of the death of Archbishop Boniface. Leaving his wife and troops in Gascony, Edward returned to Canterbury to try to get his chaplain Robert Brunel elected. He was unsuccessful and once more crossed the sea to Gascony, reaching the walled seaport of Aigues Mortes late in September. His brother Edmund followed a few months later with reinforcements.

Edward arrived in Tunis, where he found that Philip the new King of France and other leaders had lost all enthusiasm for the cause, they had made peace with the Sultan and received a large sum of money. Edward was very angry but eventually agreed to return to Sicily with Charles of Anjou and spend the winter there, prior to going on to Acre in the Spring. As the crusading fleet sailed from Tunis, over 200 men were left behind, in great distress, and only Edward, of all the leaders, was prepared to turn his ships round to rescue them.

On 20 November they sailed for Sicily, reaching Trapani two days later. The nobles landed at once, leaving their horses, equipment and troops on board. During the night a great storm arose in which over a hundred large ships, some with two masts, were wrecked and the treasure from Tunis lost. The English squadron of thirteen ships rode out the storm in safety.

When the winter was over, the King of Sicily and the foreign leaders would not move. Edward vowed that he would keep his oath at the risk of his life and if none but his groom would go with him, he would make his way to Acre.

Fired by his example all the English contingent, which had been reinforced early in 1271 by the two Edmunds, sons of King Henry and of his brother Richard, vowed to follow him.

Early in March Henry of Almaine had obtained leave from Edward to return home, but on his way back was murdered at Viterbo by Simon & Guy de Montfort: this necessitated the immediate return of Edward’s younger brother Edmund. The remainder of the English crusaders under Edward’s leadership left Trapani in Sicily about Mid-Lent. He hired ships to take him to the east in January. Edward may have had eight large ships, and galleys and other vessels making a total of thirty in all.

The fleet revictualled in Cyprus, stayed a short time and on 9 May landed at Acre, Just in time to save the city, which was on the point of surrendering to the besieging Saracens.

Shortly after their arrival Princess Eleanor gave birth to a daughter, who died soon afterwards. Another daughter Joan ‘of Acre’ was born the following year.

Edward spent frustrating weeks in Acre before moving against the enemy. Men and horses had to he prepared and diplomatic arrangements had to he made. Edward was appalled to find Venetian merchants were trading with the Saracens in food and military supplies, which the king of Jerusalem permitted.

Traitors were executed daily in the city.

In late June Edward launched his first raid on the enemy. This was against St Georges—de—Lebeyne, some 15 miles east of Acre. The troops were not used to the conditions and the combined effects of heat and food poisoning resulted in many casualties. All that was achieved was destruction of crops and houses.

Larger forces were needed and Edward spent the following months organising. He hoped to he joined by Hugh of Cyprus and the forces of military orders, but there was a dispute.

In Autumn 1271, the Mongols advanced rapidly towards Syria causing panic. Much of the population of Damascus fled as they approached.

In November Edward launched a larger raid, reinforcements from England had arrived. His brother Edmund came in September and the Cypriots joined the campaign. Members of the military orders, Templars, Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights cooperated as did the men of Acre.

The force possibly marched through Nazareth on their way to Oaqun, 45 miles south—east of Acre, where they surprised a large force of Turcomans. Approx 1,500 were killed and 5,000 animals taken as booty.

The Moslem report was that one chieftain had been killed, another wounded. The governor of the castle was forced to abandon his command.

The Crusaders failed to take the castle itself and when a Moslem force approached, they retreated rapidly to Acre, losing some men and horses on the way. Not a success, the Turcornans who had been routed were no more than itinerant herdsmen.

Baibers (the Sultan) attempted to retaliate, advancing from Damascus upon Acre in December. Heavy rain made the attack impossible, so he withdrew to Thgyot. Haibers was a huge man with brown skin and blue eyes. He was cruel, disloyal and treacherous, rough in his manners, harsh in his speech. He was a brilliant soldier, subtle politician and wise administrator. He was an evil man but a great ruler of the Mameluks, an elete corps of cavalry, recruited from young white slaves.

On 16 June 1272 a member of the secret society of Assassins, obtained a private interview with Edward under pretence of important secret business. He suddenly attacked Edward wounding him in the arm. Edward repelled him with a vigorous kick and seizing a stool knocked him down and snatched the dagger from him, but in so doing wounded himself in the forehead. The dagger being poisoned, gave cause for great anxiety. The assassin had been killed by Edward.

Eleanor was so overcome with grief that Edmund and John de Vescy were asked to take the weeping princess from the room.

Whether Edward owed his life to Eleanor’s devotion, the medicinal draught administered by the Master of the Templars, to the skill of the surgeon or his own strength of constitution, may be questioned.

Edward forbade acts of revenge, lest the lives of pilgrims on their way to holy places should be put in jeopardy.

Edward’s recovery was slow and Eleanor had borne him a child Joan, in the Spring, it did not make sense to risk a sea voyage while the baby was so young.

Edward was also engaged in strengthening the defences of the city and building a tower which was to be entrusted in 1278 to the custody of the Order of St Edward of Acre. It was an entirely obscure English order of knights probably formed by the few men left by Edward to continue the struggle against the infidels.

Edward sailed for Sicily on 15 August 1272 and after seven weeks slow journeying, landed at Trapani. The journey from Palestine, strain of crusading life, and actual injuries, caused Edward to stay in Sicily. He was aware of his father’s ill health and of the death of his uncle Richard, King of the Romans on 2 April 1272.

He stayed with his uncle and aunt (King Charles & Queen of Sicily). Here he received news of the death of his father who had died on the evening of 16 November, he was very upset. (His son John had died the year before in August 1271). Edward’s brother Edmund with part of the crusading force hastened home.

Edward brought back precious stones of jasper to adorn his father’s tomb.

On 19 January, Edward and Pope Gregory X Archdeacon of Liege (who had accompanied him to the Holy Land), took leave of Charles and crossed over to the mainland, reaching Rome on 5 February.

The papal court was then at Orvieto and there he was welcomed on 14 February with great honour and magnificence. Edward was able to deal with punishing the murderer of Henry of Almaine. At the beginning of June 1273 Edward left the papal court to head north through Italy. At every city he was received with acclamations and processions. Through Lombardy along the Via Emilia and entertained in the episcopal palace at Heggio on 20 May. Ncxt was Parma.

At Milan he was presented with a number of chargers caparisoned in scarlet trappings.

On 7 June he reached the relatively easy alpine pass of Mont Cenis, as he descended the mountains, he was met by a party of English nobles and bishops. As Edward’s health was again bad, he stayed with Philip, Count of Savoy (Bishop—elect of Lyons) in his castle of St George’s d’ Esperanche not far from Lyon.

Edward was presented with gifts of wine, beef and other foodstuffs, he had a feast in his honour and an escort.

He then moved with a large body of knights up to Chalons. The Count challenged him to joust. The Count had more men than the King. Finding that he had met his match at sword play, the Count flung his arms around Edward’s neck and tried to drag him from his horse. The tall King straightened and galloped forward, the Count clinging to him. He lifted the count clear of his horse and after a little distance, flung him off violently and rode out of the press to recover his breath. A ‘Little Battle of Chalons’ ensued. Edward informed the mayor that if he did not punish the offenders, Edward would burn the town to the ground.

From 26 July to 6 August Edward was in Paris received by King Phillip III his first cousin, to whom he paid homage. (No love lost between them).

Edward left Paris on 7 August, slowly making his way down to Bayonne. It was there on 24 November 1273 that Queen Eleanor gave birth to a son, christened Alphonso, after his uncle the King of Spain.

Gascony, town and castle of Orthez, Sault, Sordes. All mentioned on the way to Bayonne.

Edward intended to return to England for the coronation at Easter 1274, but was unable to do so. He was forced to spend nearly 7 weeks in the neighbourhood of Limoges. He entered that city on 8 May and was received in procession by the monks of St Martial. Five weeks were spent hunting, returning to the city for the Feast of Whitsun.

About 7 June Edward set off for Paris, leaving a force of English soldiers for defence purposes.

On 23 July he had business in Montreuil, near Boulogne.

On his way back to England, he reached the coast and had been received on board in a fitting manner, he was sailing to England with a great company. Storms suddenly arose at sea so that imminent destruction threatened the whole structure of the vessel. The sailors could do no more and gave up all hope of rescue, so in terror prayed loudly to God and the passengers decided each to vow to God whatsoever the Holy Spirit should prompt. All did this devoutly but still the storms did not abate but vent on with ever increasing force. In the face of death everyone on board vith one accord begged the prince with tears, as he had not made a vow with the others, to deign to make a vow pleasing to the Lord that he might speedily rescue them from their present peril.

The prince yielded and humbly promised to God and to the Virgin that if the Lord would save them and bring them unharmed to shore, he would forthvith found a monastery of white monks of the order of the Cistercians in their honour vithin England. He would endow it so richly that it could support one hundred monks for ever. God’s strength in saving his people vas at once revealed, for hardly had the most Christian prince stopped speaking, when the storm dispersed and there vas calm. Everyone vas amazed at the change.

The ship vas miraculously brought to land though broken and torn in many places and with perilous leaks, thanks to the Virgin Mary in whose honour the prince had made his vow. This was done without human aid. All saw this and were amazed with Joy and filled with happy devotion towards the glorious Virgin who had not allowed them to perish.

In the same hour a marvel took place. When all had taken their gear out of the ship the prince remained on board last of all. When the boat was empty and he had disembarked the ship fell in two parts, in the twinkling of an eye. The ship was kept whole while the good man was in her.

Edward finally set foot upon English soil on Thursday, 2 August 1274.

Being unwilling to enter London until his coronation, the king landed at Dover, then moved slowly, spending a few days at Canterbury and then staying with the Earl of Gloucester in Tonbridge and with John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, at Reigate.

It was on Saturday, 18 August, that Edward reached London. He was received with great magnificence.

August 19th 1274 was the Coronation, Edward was 36 years old, looking every part a king. Very tall and powerfully built, with broad chest and nervous arms and legs whose unusual length gained him the nickname of ‘Longshanks’ and gave him a seat on horseback from which he could not easily be dislodged. It is almost certain that Roger de Trumpington would have attended the Coronation.

Roger de Trumpington was a knight of John de Vescy’s household. John de Vescy (Alnwick Northumberland) was one of King Edward’s most loyal associates.

In October 1275 John de Vescy Joined forces with the King of Scotland, Alexander III, and did battle with the Manxmen on the Isle of Man. Being one of John’s knights, Roger was more than likely involved.

On 23rd January 1276 John de Vescy went to Santiago de Compostella in Spain, maybe Roger accompanied him?

In August 1277 a substantial force under the command of John de Vescy and Otto de Grandson set off by sea to occupy Anglesey. 360 harvesters were taken across to collect the harvest on the island. Food for the English, whilst the Welsh were threatened with starvation. Roger would certainly have gone on this trip.

Edward I and his knights were very talented and welcomed at many tournaments. In 1278 two are mentioned, one at Windsor (the King supplied Roger’s apparel) and the other in Compeigne.

As Knight of John de Vescy’s household, Roger had pardon of trespass in Sherwood Forest 5 June 1280.

Roger had protection, going over seas with John, 7 February 1232. John was sent together with Anthony Pek (Bishop of Durham), to Aragon to conclude the marriage of Edward’s daughter Eleanor to Peter of Aragon’s heir Alphonso, by proxy. Eleanor was 13 years old. (Alphonse died in 1291 without the marriage taking olace)

They had a grant of 81000 of Tours to buy horses for Edward in Aragon and Spain 15 February 1232.

In January 1283, John led troops in the Welsh war.

On 20 June 1234 John do Vescy accompanied Anthony Bek on a diplomatic mission to Bayonne, to the Low Countries and to Paris. John was the King’s envoy to Duke of Brabant (just over French border), re peace.

Roger de Trumpington received protection, going over seas, with the King and John de Vescy on 26 April 1285. Philip TV’s accession meant that Edward had to go ahroad to perform the act of homage.

They crossed the channel from Dover to Wissant on 13 May. Edward took a number of Gascons with him. It must have taken several days to transport all of the royal household, for some of the ships made three crossings. No fewer than 1,000 horses ere taken across, 24 to a ship. Eight vessels carried the kitchen equipment and other household goods.

The only tents that were provided were for a few Welshmen in the royal entourage. Many of the menial servants must often have had to sleep where they could, in the open, or perhaps sheltered under the long carts that carried the equipment.

Taking a leisurely trip, through Ponthieu and then Amiens, Edward was met by young King Philip IV, who escorted him to Paris, arriving in early summer at the abbey of St Germain—des—Pres. From there he could easily go by boat across the Seine to the French court at the Louvre. The King’s Italian bankers brought £4,000 from London to cover the heavy expenses incurred in Paris, such as the banquet given to celebrate the Feast of Trinity at a cost of £151.

Edward’s stay in Paris brought considerable success. Homage to the French king on 5 June went smoothly. Edward was also successful in his role as mediator between his royal host and Alphonso of Aragon. Both sides agreed he should negotiate a truce, and on 26 July a formula was agreed.

There remained one outstanding difficulty. Charles of Salerno was still captive (of king Aluhonso II) in Aragon.

Whilst in Paris some of the royal plate was stolen. The case against the thief was heard before Edward’s steward.

Edward had a remarkable escape from sudden death, when lightning passed through a window in front of which he and the Queen were sitting. Two attendants were killed.

Edward left Paris at the end of July 1286 on an unhurried journey to S.W. France, Gascony, the land being Edward’s by right of his title Duke of Aquitaine.

The route he followed swept east, to Pontigny, where offerings were made at the shrine of St Edmund, and then to Auxerre. He met the Count of Bar at St Fargeau and went on to Orleans. The royal party visited Fontevrault, burial place of many of Edward’s ancestors, and it was not until the end of September that the Isle of Oleron was reached.

The journey had not been easy, for many of the royal entourage had been struck with illness, and had to be left behind to recover. It is possible that Roger de Trumpington was one, however, if this was not so, the journey continued as follows:

Christmas was spent in a little town of St Macaire, near Bordeaux. The court was lodged in the priory, of which the church was used as the King’s hall. The King’s gifts were as follows: the once rebellious Gaston de Beam gave chargers to the king and queen, the Lord of Mirabeau two hawks, Anthony Bek – the King’s faithful clerk (promoted to the see of Durham in 1283) a sporting hound, Edmund of Lancaster a quantity of Brie cheese.

125 Minstrels were employed.

There was intense diplomatic activity in the winter of 1286-7 in Cascony, with embassies coming and going. Edward had left Luke de Tany in charge, as seneschal, hut his rule was not a success.

It was Edward’s second visit to Gascony since his accession. He was there from Autumn 1286 to Summer (June) 1229. He was much preoccupied with questions of international politics, especially the release of Charles of Salerno from captivity in Aragon.

In early January 1287, the court removed to Bordeux and in March Edward was hunting wolves and stopped for a meal at the house of Dawe de les Laundes.

Edward was determined to go to the East again and took the cross once more in 1287. It seems the King was taken seriously ill when staying at Blanquefort (fortunately the skill of Philip de Beauvais and his other physicians speedily restored him to health) and he took the crusading oath when he recovered, probably in the Spring at Bordeaux. It may be that his illness was connected with an unfortunate accident, when the floor of his room collapsed, and Edward fell, breaking his collar—bone.

In the July he made gifts to some of his household, who had agreed to go with him to the East.

On 28 May 1287 Edward and his queen were at Bordeaux, observing the anniversary of the death of one of their daughters, who was buried in the church of the Friars Preachers there. She could have died at Acre.

Also in May 1287 John de Vesci was sent to see Alphonso of Aragon and a meeting between him and Edward was arranged for July at Oloron Sainte Marie in Beam. The English court moved to that town on 17 July, finding lodgings as best they could, the Spanish stayed in the monastery.

Ten days were spent in feasting, dancing and tilting, gardens and vineyards were levelled to form an arena for the 5paniard~s games and mimic battles. Here on 25 July a treaty was signed.

All went well apart from Edward’s lion escaping and killing a horse and two of Alphonso’s Saracen followers running away.

In October 1287 Edward was in St Sever.

It seems Edward was determined to see Charles of Salerno released at any cost, he had a real personal concern for an attractive and chivalrous figure.

By the treaty there was to be a truce of three years, Prince Charles was to be released and within the three years to obtain from the Pope and King Philip the recognition of Alphonso as King of Aragon and his brother Jayme as King of Sicily, or in default, to place himself or his country of Provence in the hands of Alphonso.

As guarantees Charles had to give his three eldest sons, with sixty sons of magnates of Provence, as hostages and to deposit securities to the value of 50,000 marks.

The Pope intervened and Charles was liberated.

Edward agreed that he would personally provide the cash and hostages to ensure Charles’s release; 30,000 marks were to be paid over, and 76 English and Gascon hostages handed to the Aragonese until such times as they might be replaced by Provencals. John de Vesci was one of the hostages, was Roger? Charles returned with Edward to Oloron where on 3 November 1288 he executed various deeds binding him to perform the obligations which he had incurred to Edward. He then vent to Provence, Sir John de Vescy accompanying him to hasten the despatch of the Provencal hostages who were to take the place of those provided by Edward.

After Sir John’s death at Montpellier on 23 February 1289, the hostages were finally released on 9 March. Edward rode out to meet them at the Spanish frontier.

Edward spent the whole of April at Condom in Guienne, had a short visit to Bordeaux and then moved court to Condac.

At last at the beginning of July, Edward started on his return Journey, unfortunately Roger de Trumpington had died in June.

He held mess. and lands at Mogerhanger, Beds; Trumpington and Gretton, Cambs; and Tudeham Manor, Suffolk. (Mess. means messuage, a dwelling house with lands and outbuildings attached).

Roger left a son and heir Giles aged 22 years.