Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby

Robert I de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby ( * 1062 in Derbyshire, England, † 1139 ) was an English earl.

Life

Robert de Ferrers father was born in Ferrieres, Normandy, accompanied William I " the Conqueror" during the invasion of England. The family was rewarded with Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire and 114 estates in Derbyshire.

The interests of Robert's older brother William were mainly in France. He supported Robert Curthose during the rebellion and was captured at the Battle of Tinchebrai. His other brother Engenulf died shortly after his father and so succeeded Robert in 1088 to take all possessions in itself. From the beginning, he was a great supporter of Henry I. During his tenure of Duffield Frith from 1129-30, he showed interest in the lead mines in Wirksworth. About this time he handed the church of Potterspury, Northamptonshire, to Bernard of the scribes.

During his last years, he was more frequent in appearance as one of the leading supporters of King Stephen. He moved with a large contingent men from Derbyshire northward to King Stephen in the defense against an invasion by the Scots under King David I of Scotland, which Mathilde supported to assist. Roberts actually objective was to ensure the victory for his ruler, who appointed him for this and other important services to the Earl of Derby. Records and chronicles of that time refer to him as Earl Ferrers, Earl of Nottingham and Earl of Derby.

He died in 1139 and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son of Robert de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby, Robert de Ferrars often the Younger, heir.

References

  • Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America Before 1700 by Frederick Lewis Weis, Line 55-26
  • Jones, M., (2004) Ferrers, Robert de, first Earl Ferrers (d. 1139 ) ,'' Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press [ Accessed 28 Oct 2007]
  • Loyd, Lewis, 1951, " The Origins of Some Anglo- Norman Families, " Harleian Society
  • Earl of Derby
  • Born in 1062
  • Died in 1139
  • Briton
  • Man
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