Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick

Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick ( * Le Neubourg at Louviers, Eure, † June 20, 1119 ) was a Norman nobleman. After his birth, he was also known as Henry de Newburgh and Henry de Neubourg.

Henry was the younger son of Roger de Beaumont and Adeline of Meulan, daughter of Waleran III. , Count of Meulan. He inherited the smaller reign of La Neubourt in the middle Normandy but acquired later in England significantly larger possessions, as proclaimed him King William II of England for his assistance in the suppression of the revolt of 1088 to the Earl of Warwick.

De Beaumont is on the list of knights who came with William the Conqueror to England, but seems at the Battle of Hastings not to have participated. He spent most of his life in Normandy, his name is not found in the Domesday Book. He played a leading role in the reconciliation of the conqueror with his eldest son Robert in 1081; He stood high in the favor of the king. He was one of the companions and friends of Henry I., 1100 developed around the question of the succession of William II disagreements among the barons, the decision for Henry was mainly due to his advice. When a number of barons openly or secretly turned the following year against the King, and Duke Robert wanted to gain the crown, he counted with his brother to the few who remained loyal to the king.

He has been recipient of numerous honors, in 1068 he was Constable of Warwick Castle, shortly after King William gave him the castle with the entire district and property. The "Bear and Ragged Staff " was the badge of Guy, a major fighter against the Danes, Henry took it with his elevation to the Earl as his symbol, since then the use of the subsequent Earls of Warwick. Odericus announced that he had earned this honor by its value and loyalty, Wace called him a brave man. 1079 he was appointed by the king to the consultant, appointed on April 12, 1080 in Normandy, Baron of the Exchequer.

In 1099 he fought against the Welsh and built a castle in Swansea, which was unsuccessfully attacked in 1113 by the Welsh. In the southwestern Glamorgan he took the Gower Peninsula. More castles he built in Penrhys, Llanrhidian, Oystermouth and Loughor.

1107 the rule of the Gower Peninsula, he was transferred to Wales.

From his in character Henry was a quiet and retiring man who was clearly outshone by his brother Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was considered one of the most brilliant men of England.

After his death in 1119 he was buried in the Abbey of Preaux.

Family

1100 before Henry married Marguerite, daughter of Geoffrey II of Perche and Beatrix of Montdidier and had her five children together: