Folkingham (Gant)

Who he is

Name

Gilbert de Gant (the younger, died 1242)

Title

Lord of the Gant barony of Folkingham

Since

His father Robert de Gant died in 1191

Born

Not pinned (1180s)

Family

Son of Robert de Gant (died 1191) and Gunnor d'Aubigny. Kinsman of the Gilbert de Gant whom Stephen made earl of Lincoln. Later a rebel of 1215, whom Louis made earl of Lincoln in 1216.

Confidence

low

Whether he was still a minor in someone's wardship on 1 January 1200 is not pinned.

Overlord

King John

What it holds

• Folkingham castle and manor
• Kesteven manors round Folkingham (Aslackby, Walcot)
• The patronage of Bardney abbey
• Hunmanby and other Yorkshire lands (eno)

How it was acquired

From Gilbert de Gant, nephew of Queen Matilda, who received the lands after the Conquest.

Allies and rivals

The Gant heir is kin to the old earls of Lincoln; neighbours the Wakes at Bourne and the Haye manors round Swaton.

How things stand that morning

Held by the heir; any wardship not pinned.

Wealth

Corn and sheep of Kesteven.

Military

Folkingham castle.

Threats

• Royal exploitation of a wardship, if he is under age

Places of note

• Folkingham: Caput
• Bardney abbey: Gant patronage

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: The heir's age and custody in 1200 are not pinned.

On the map: Caput only.

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.