Juhel de Totnes

Judhael de Totnes, also Juhel de Totnes ( † before 1130) was a Norman nobleman and supporter of William the Conqueror.

Origin

According to the company called his father Alfred, whether Judhael from Brittany or Normandy comes is unclear.

Life

Probably shortly after the Norman conquest of England Judhael received extensive land holdings along the east coast of Devon. In South West England in 1068, it had been a rebellion against the Norman conquerors, in addition the coasts of Irish pirates were threatened. To secure the Norman domination Judhael Totnes Castle, built in the northeast of the Anglo-Saxon town of Totnes. He also founded the Benedictine priory St Mary, Totnes. In the Domesday Book in 1086 Judhael is still known as Lord of about 100 fiefs, but under King William II, he lost for reasons unknown to Totnes in 1091, which fell to Roger de Nonant.

Around 1100 acquired Judhael the rule Barnstaple, where he founded the monastery of St Martin-des -Champs. As an old man he joined in 1123 the convent, and died there before 1130.

Family

Judhael had two daughters and a son:

• Alfred ( † before 1139 ), who in 1136 lost his possessions for supporting the rebellion of Baldwin de Redvers. He died without heirs.
• AENOR ⚭ Philip de Braose
• Unknown ⚭ Henry de Tracy

His grandson, William de Braose, 3rd Baron of Bramber, son of his daughter inherited AENOR in 1155 half of the barony of Barnstaple, the barony of Totnes in 1206 was divided between his great-grandson William de Braose, 4th Baron of Bramber and Henry de Nonant.