Barons and castellans · Kingdom of England · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Alton (Verdun)

The Verdun barony: Alton castle on its crag above the Churnet in the Staffordshire moorlands, the Cistercian abbey of Croxden founded by Bertram de Verdun in the 1170s, and Farnham Royal in Buckinghamshire, held by the service of a glove at the coronation.

A new heir has just succeeded his brother.

Who he is

Name
Nicholas de Verdun
Title
Lord of Alton
Since
1199, on the death of his brother Thomas de Verdun without children
Born
Not pinned
Family
Son of Bertram de Verdun (died at Jaffa in 1192 on the crusade), the builder of Alton and founder of Croxden abbey. His brother Thomas's widow Eustacia (a Basset) marries Richard de Camville in 1200. Nicholas's daughter Rohese is his eventual heiress.
Confidence
medium

The family also holds Bertram's Irish lands in Uriel (Dundalk), which are in the irl records.

Overlord

King John

What it holds

  • Alton castle (built by Bertram de Verdun about 1175)
  • The patronage of Croxden abbey (Cistercian)
  • Farnham Royal in Buckinghamshire (coronation service)
  • Lands in Uriel in Ireland (irl)

How it was acquired

By inheritance from Bertram de Verdun; Nicholas from his brother in 1199.

Allies and rivals

Linked by Thomas's widow to the Camvilles of Lincoln castle; neighbours the earl of Derby and the earl of Chester's Leek.

How things stand that morning

A recent succession; holds Alton in peace.

Wealth

Moorland pasture and the abbey's wool.

Military

Alton castle.

Threats

  • The relief owed on succession

What the year holds

What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.

  1. 1200 (date not pinned)Eustacia, Thomas de Verdun's widow, marries Richard de Camville; her dower lands go with her.Depends on: the fine for the marriage Stopped by: the king giving her elsewhere

Places of note

  • Alton castle: Verdun caput
  • Croxden abbey: Verdun foundation

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: The succession from Thomas to Nicholas in 1199 is from genealogical sources, not checked against the Pipe Roll here.

On the map: Caput and one outlying manor.

Primary sources for England

Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.

  • Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond, Jocelin of Brakelond (about 1198 to 1203). An inside account of Bury St Edmunds under Abbot Samson, written while the events were fresh. Read online
  • Chronicle of Melrose, Anonymous (monks of Melrose abbey) (about 1173 to 1270, in many hands; the 1200 entries are near contemporary). The main Scottish annal for the year, kept at a Cistercian house on the Tweed. Read online
  • Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
  • Chronicle of the Princes, Anonymous (Welsh translation of a lost Latin chronicle kept at Strata Florida) (Latin original to about 1282, compiled from contemporary annals; Welsh versions about 1300 and later). The native Welsh record of the year. Read online
  • Chronicle; Deeds of the Kings, Gervase of Canterbury (Chronica about 1188 to 1199; Gesta Regum about 1199 to 1210). The Chronica stops in 1199, so for 1200 the witness is the briefer Gesta Regum, which notes John's peace with Philip, the coronation of Isabella at Westminster on 8 October 1200, and matters touching Canterbury: the archbishop Hubert Walter as chancellor, the cathedral priory's quarrel with him, and the Lambeth college dispute lately settled by the pope. Read online
  • English Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall, Ralph of Coggeshall (about 1200 to 1224, in stages). Short but independent entries for 1200 from a Cistercian house in Essex: John's levy on the Cistercians and the carucage, the peace with Philip, the king's new marriage and the queen's coronation, and the death of Hugh of Lincoln. Read online
  • Flowers of History, Roger of Wendover (about 1220 to 1235 at St Albans). For 1200 Wendover is mostly Howden rewritten, so he is a second witness only where he adds St Albans material: a long account of Hugh of Lincoln's last months, death and funeral, and anecdotes about John's conduct toward the Cistercians and his new queen. Read online
  • Images of History, Ralph de Diceto (about 1188 to 1202). A London view of the year from the dean of St Paul's, who knew the justiciar and the bishops personally. Read online

22 more in the sources library for The British Isles.

Sources and studies

  1. Wikipedia: Nicola de la Haie (Richard de Camville's marriage to Eustacia, widow of Thomas Verdon)
  2. Wikipedia: Croxden Abbey

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.