Kendal

Who he is

Name

Gilbert FitzReinfrid and Helewise de Lancaster

Title

Baron of Kendal by right of his wife

Since

About 1189, when Richard gave him Helewise, heiress of William de Lancaster (died 1184); on 15 April 1190 Richard acquitted 'the baron of Kendal, Gilbert fitz Reinfrid' of dues in northern Westmorland

Born

Not pinned

Family

Son of Roger FitzReinfrid, a royal justice; Gilbert was a steward in the royal household. Heir: their son William, who takes the name de Lancaster.

Confidence

high

Wikipedia (Barony of Kendal). Gilbert is sheriff of Lancashire from 1205 and of Yorkshire 1209-13 (Wikipedia lists), not in 1200.

Overlord

King John

What it holds

• Kendal castle and the market town of Kendal
• Kendal ward: Kendal, Kentmere, Windermere, Grasmere and the fells
• Lonsdale ward round Kirkby Lonsdale
• Warton and other Lancashire lands of the Lancaster inheritance
• Claims in the Furness fells, disputed with Furness Abbey

How it was acquired

Marriage to the heiress, about 1189.

Allies and rivals

A royal man; neighbours: Furness Abbey, the king's Westmorland and Lancaster.

How things stand that morning

Held.

Wealth

Wool, the Kendal market, the fells.

Military

Kendal castle (the earlier motte at Castle Howe and the hill castle). The barony owed two knights. No figures.

Places of note

• Kendal: Caput

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: Wikipedia; bounds from later divisions of the barony.

On the map: The barony is drawn as the southern half of Westmorland.

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.