Geoffrey de Clinton

Geoffrey de Clinton (d. c. 1134) was an Anglo-Norman noble, chamberlain and treasurer to King Henry I of England. He was foremost amongst the men king Henry "raised from the dust".[1]. He married Lescelina

Clinton's family origins are a little obscure. The surname probably derives from the village of Glympton in Oxfordshire.[2], though the family ultimately derived from Saint-Pierre-de-Semilly (Manche, arr. St. Lô, canton St.-Clair) in western Normandy.[3]

It appears that Clinton spent some years as a minor official of the king's, until the 1118 fall of the treasurer Herbert camerarius, who was accused of plotting against the king. By 1120 Clinton had taken his place.

Not too long afterwards Clinton was appointed sheriff of Warwickshire (by 1121), to act as counterweight to the Earl of Warwick, Roger de Beaumont, who Henry I did not trust. The 1122 rebellion of Roger's cousin Waleran de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Worcester increased the king's suspicions still further, and he compelled Roger to grant Clinton a substantial part of his Warwickshire domains.[4]

Clinton further secured his position by starting work on the great castle of Kenilworth, only two miles from the earl's central fortress at Warwick.[5]

Clinton received other land grants from Henry I, and he used his position of political influence to enrich himself in other ways[6]. In sum his total wealth was just below the level of the greatest magnates of the kingdom.[7] He had enough to spend 2,000 pounds to insure his nephew Roger de Clinton's election as Bishop of Coventry.[8]

Around Easter 1130 Clinton was accused of treason, but was acquitted by a panel including David I of Scotland, who was sitting in his capacity as Earl of Huntingdon. The substance of the accusations against Clinton are not known, although since he was Henry I's treasurer, financial malfeasance of some sort is possible.[9] The Beaumonts were back in favor, and it may be that they were behind the proceedings.[10]

Clinton remained in the royal service, though he was never as influential as he had been. He died sometime between 1133 and 1135.[11]

It appears that Clinton's land-holding must have been primarily life tenencies since his descendants property was not nearly so imposing.[12] His son and successor, also named Geoffrey, became engaged in a violent quarrel with the Earl of Warwick early in the reign of King Stephen of England. The Clintons nearly lost everything, but in the end a settlement was reached (probably in the summer of 1138) by which the younger Geoffrey de Clinton married Warwick's daughter Agnes.[13]

The direct Clinton male line seems to have died out during the reign of Henry III. The later Baron Clintons, Earls of Lincoln, and Dukes of Newcastle-Under-Lyne descend from the elder Geoffrey de Clinton's nephew Osbert.[14]

A fortification has existed on the site from Saxon times, but the current ruin is of Norman origin; a great square stone tower built by Geoffrey de Clinton, Treasurer and Chief Justice of England to Henry I, in about 1125. Henry II took control of the castle during the Revolt of 1173-1174, giving the Clintons another castle in Buckinghamshire by way of compensation.

Work then began to improve the defensive qualities of the castle, continuing during the reign of Henry III and transforming the castle into one of the strongest in the Midlands. The strategic advantages of water defences had long been known, and at Kenilworth a great man made lake was created to defend three sides of the castle. Covering over 100 acres (0.4 km²) it was an expensive endeavour, but the value in keeping siege engines at a distance and as a barrier to assault or mining was immense.

From Medlands:

GEOFFREY de Clinton (-[29 Sep 1130/1 Aug 1133]). Chamberlain and Sheriff under King Henry I from [1108]. Orderic Vitalis names "Goisfredus de Clintona, Radulfus Basset et Hugo de Bocalanda…" among those who were "de ignobili stirpe" and whom King Henry I raised "de pulvere" (from the dust)[2695]. "…Gaufrido de Clint…" witnessed the charter dated to [1107/16] under which Henry I King of England granted property to "uxori Willelmi vicecomitis de Oxeneford et filiis suis"[2696]. "…Gaufr de Glint…" subscribed the charter dated to [10 Apr/29 May] 1121 which records the arrangements for the marriage of "Miloni de Gloec" and "Sibilia filia Beorndi de Novo Mercato"[2697]. “Gaufridus de Clintona, Henrici regis camerarius” founded Kenilworth priory, Warwickshire by undated charter[2698]. "G. de Clinton" donated "manerium de Hichendon…ecclesiam de Stanes" [Stone priory] to Kenilworth priory, with the consent of "Nicholai de Stafford", by charter dated to [1122/25][2699]. The 1130 Pipe Roll records "Elye Giff" in Northamptonshire[2700]. Orderic Vitalis records disputes between "Goisfredia de Clintonia" and King Henry I, dated to [1130][2701]. Henry II King of England confirmed the property of Savigny abbey, including the donation by "Gaufridi camerarii de Clinton et Gaufridi filii eius" of "molendinum de Breneia", by charter dated to [1156/58][2702]. Military fee certifications in the Red Book of the Exchequer, in 1166, record "Gal[fridus] camerarius de Clintone" holding knights’ fees held "Robertus de Scrupa" in Gloucestershire, and "Galfridus de Clintone" holding 3 knights’ fees in Wallingford, Berkshire[2703].

m LESCELINE, daughter of ---. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified.

Geoffrey & his wife had children:

a) GEOFFREY de Clinton (-after 1166). “Gaufridus de Clintona" confirmed donations to Kenilworth priory, Warwickshire, for the soul of "patris mei Gaufridi camerarii…ipsius ecclesie fundator", by undated charter[2704]. "Gaufridus de Clintone" confirmed the donation of land "in…Chersintona" made to Eynsham abbey by "Willelmus de Clintone patruus meus" by charter dated to [before 1152] witnessed by "Agnes uxor mea, Willelmus de Plan, Osbertus de Clint[one]…"[2705]. Henry II King of England confirmed the property of Savigny abbey, including the donation by "Gaufridi camerarii de Clinton et Gaufridi filii eius" of "molendinum de Breneia", by charter dated to [1156/58][2706]. Henry II King of England confirmed the property of Savigny abbey, including the donation by "Gaufridi camerarii de Clinton et Gaufridi filii eius" of "molendinum de Breneia", by charter dated to [1156/58][2707]. “Gaufridus camerarius de Clintona” founded Bretford nunnery in Warwickshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Agnete uxore mea cum filio meo Henrico...Osbertus de Clintona...”[2708]. Military fee certifications in the Red Book of the Exchequer, in 1166, record "Gal[fridus] camerarius de Clintone" holding knights’ fees held "Robertus de Scrupa" in Gloucestershire, and "Galfridus de Clintone" holding 3 knights’ fees in Wallingford, Berkshire[2709]. m AGNES of Warwick, daughter of ROGER Earl of Warwick & his wife Gundred de Warenne of Surrey. The marriage settlement of "Rogerus comes Warr…Agnetem filiam meam" and "Gaufrido camerario" is undated, witnessed by "…Roberto fratre meo et Gaufrido et Henrico…Hastecill de Haruc…Willelmus de Glint[ona]…Hug[one] de Glint[ona] et Maur[icio] fratre eius…"[2710]. "Gaufridus de Clintone" confirmed the donation of land "in…Chersintona" made to Eynsham abbey by "Willelmus de Clintone patruus meus" by charter dated to [before 1152] witnessed by "Agnes uxor mea, Willelmus de Plan, Osbertus de Clint[one]…"[2711]. “Gaufridus camerarius de Clintona” founded Bretford nunnery in Warwickshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Agnete uxore mea cum filio meo Henrico...Osbertus de Clintona...”[2712]. Geoffrey & his wife had two children: i) HENRY de Clinton (-[1214/16]). “Gaufridus camerarius de Clintona” founded Bretford nunnery in Warwickshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Agnete uxore mea cum filio meo Henrico...Osbertus de Clintona...”[2713]. “Henricus de Clintona" confirmed donations to Kenilworth priory, Warwickshire, founded by "G. de Clinton avus meus", including the donation by "Lecelinæ et concessione Bertrami de Verduno filio eius" of "ecclesiam de Etha", by undated charter[2714]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Henricus de Clinton" holding one knight’s fee "de honore Gloucestriæ" in Buckinghamshire in [1210/12][2715]. m AMICE de Bidun, daughter of JOHN de Bidun & his wife Alice Mauduit. The Rotuli de Dominabus of 1185 records that the daughters of “Alizia de Bidune, soror Willelmi Mauduit” married “primogenitam…Hugo de Clinton…”[2716]. Bracton records a claim, dated 1231, by "Amicabilis de Wuttona" against "abbatem de Lauendena" concerning "ecclesiam de Wuttona…advocacionem", claimed by "Ricardus de Bello Campo" and which, according to "ipsi Amicabilis et Ricardus", was granted by "Johannes de Bidun pater predicte Amicabilis et Sarre uxoris predicti Ricardi" to "Walterum de Bidun", and that "Halnacus pater ipsius Johannis" had presented the church to "Walterus de Bidun qui fuit cancellarius Regis Scocie" and "post mortem Walteri de Bidun" to "predictus Walterum", while the abbot summoned "Amiciam de Clingtona filiam predicti Johannis de Bidun…Ermiceda de Bidun et Robertus filius Galfridi"[2717]. A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes…"[2718]. Henry & his wife had four children: (a) HENRY de Clinton (-1233 or before). Farrer records that Henry’s son Henry obtained seisin of his father’s lands in Kenilworth on 17 Mar 1218[2719]. (b) AMABEL de Clinton . A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes" and adding that "Amabel died without heir"[2720]. m LUKE de Columbiers, son of ---. (c) ISABEL de Clinton . A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes" and adding that "Isabel had Henry son of Ralph, who is her heir"[2721]. m RALPH, son of JOHN [de Merston] & his wife ---. (d) AGNES de Clinton (-after 14 Dec 1255). A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes" and adding that "Agnes, wife of Warin de Brageham, still lives"[2722]. m WARIN de Brageham, son of ---. ii) WILLIAM de Clinton (-after 1210). The Testa de Nevill lists knights who held land in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, dated to [1208/10]: "Willelmus de Clinton" held "Eston"[2723]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Willelmus de Clintone" holding "Estone per serjanteriam lardenariæ, vel i militis" in Buckinghamshire in [1210/12][2724].

b) LESCELINE de Clinton . Her parentage and marriage are indicated by a claim dated 29 Sep 1207 against "Ricardus de Canvill et Eustachia uxor sua" relating to "ecclesiam de Hethe" which "Lecelina de Clinton avia ipsius Nicolai…Bertrami de Verdun" had donated to Kenilworth priory[2725]. m NORMAN de Verdun, son of BERTRAM de Verdun & his wife ---.

Clinton's family origins are a little obscure. The surname probably derives from the village of Glympton in Oxfordshire.[2], though the family ultimately derived from Saint-Pierre-de-Semilly (Manche, arr. St. Lô, canton St.-Clair) in western Normandy.[3]

It appears that Clinton spent some years as a minor official of the king's, until the 1118 fall of the treasurer Herbert camerarius, who was accused of plotting against the king. By 1120 Clinton had taken his place.

Not too long afterwards Clinton was appointed sheriff of Warwickshire (by 1121), to act as counterweight to the Earl of Warwick, Roger de Beaumont, who Henry I did not trust. The 1122 rebellion of Roger's cousin Waleran de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Worcester increased the king's suspicions still further, and he compelled Roger to grant Clinton a substantial part of his Warwickshire domains.[4]

Clinton further secured his position by starting work on the great castle of Kenilworth, only two miles from the earl's central fortress at Warwick.[5]

Clinton received other land grants from Henry I, and he used his position of political influence to enrich himself in other ways[6]. In sum his total wealth was just below the level of the greatest magnates of the kingdom.[7] He had enough to spend 2,000 pounds to insure his nephew Roger de Clinton's election as Bishop of Coventry.[8]

Around Easter 1130 Clinton was accused of treason, but was acquitted by a panel including David I of Scotland, who was sitting in his capacity as Earl of Huntingdon. The substance of the accusations against Clinton are not known, although since he was Henry I's treasurer, financial malfeasance of some sort is possible.[9] The Beaumonts were back in favor, and it may be that they were behind the proceedings.[10]

Clinton remained in the royal service, though he was never as influential as he had been. He died sometime between 1133 and 1135.[11]

It appears that Clinton's land-holding must have been primarily life tenencies since his descendants property was not nearly so imposing.[12] His son and successor, also named Geoffrey, became engaged in a violent quarrel with the Earl of Warwick early in the reign of King Stephen of England. The Clintons nearly lost everything, but in the end a settlement was reached (probably in the summer of 1138) by which the younger Geoffrey de Clinton married Warwick's daughter Agnes.[13]

The direct Clinton male line seems to have died out during the reign of Henry III. The later Baron Clintons, Earls of Lincoln, and Dukes of Newcastle-Under-Lyne descend from the elder Geoffrey de Clinton's nephew Osbert.[14]

A fortification has existed on the site from Saxon times, but the current ruin is of Norman origin; a great square stone tower built by Geoffrey de Clinton, Treasurer and Chief Justice of England to Henry I, in about 1125. Henry II took control of the castle during the Revolt of 1173-1174, giving the Clintons another castle in Buckinghamshire by way of compensation.

Work then began to improve the defensive qualities of the castle, continuing during the reign of Henry III and transforming the castle into one of the strongest in the Midlands. The strategic advantages of water defences had long been known, and at Kenilworth a great man made lake was created to defend three sides of the castle. Covering over 100 acres (0.4 km²) it was an expensive endeavour, but the value in keeping siege engines at a distance and as a barrier to assault or mining was immense.

From Medlands:

GEOFFREY de Clinton (-[29 Sep 1130/1 Aug 1133]). Chamberlain and Sheriff under King Henry I from [1108]. Orderic Vitalis names "Goisfredus de Clintona, Radulfus Basset et Hugo de Bocalanda…" among those who were "de ignobili stirpe" and whom King Henry I raised "de pulvere" (from the dust)[2695]. "…Gaufrido de Clint…" witnessed the charter dated to [1107/16] under which Henry I King of England granted property to "uxori Willelmi vicecomitis de Oxeneford et filiis suis"[2696]. "…Gaufr de Glint…" subscribed the charter dated to [10 Apr/29 May] 1121 which records the arrangements for the marriage of "Miloni de Gloec" and "Sibilia filia Beorndi de Novo Mercato"[2697]. “Gaufridus de Clintona, Henrici regis camerarius” founded Kenilworth priory, Warwickshire by undated charter[2698]. "G. de Clinton" donated "manerium de Hichendon…ecclesiam de Stanes" [Stone priory] to Kenilworth priory, with the consent of "Nicholai de Stafford", by charter dated to [1122/25][2699]. The 1130 Pipe Roll records "Elye Giff" in Northamptonshire[2700]. Orderic Vitalis records disputes between "Goisfredia de Clintonia" and King Henry I, dated to [1130][2701]. Henry II King of England confirmed the property of Savigny abbey, including the donation by "Gaufridi camerarii de Clinton et Gaufridi filii eius" of "molendinum de Breneia", by charter dated to [1156/58][2702]. Military fee certifications in the Red Book of the Exchequer, in 1166, record "Gal[fridus] camerarius de Clintone" holding knights’ fees held "Robertus de Scrupa" in Gloucestershire, and "Galfridus de Clintone" holding 3 knights’ fees in Wallingford, Berkshire[2703].

m LESCELINE, daughter of ---. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified.

Geoffrey & his wife had children:

a) GEOFFREY de Clinton (-after 1166). “Gaufridus de Clintona" confirmed donations to Kenilworth priory, Warwickshire, for the soul of "patris mei Gaufridi camerarii…ipsius ecclesie fundator", by undated charter[2704]. "Gaufridus de Clintone" confirmed the donation of land "in…Chersintona" made to Eynsham abbey by "Willelmus de Clintone patruus meus" by charter dated to [before 1152] witnessed by "Agnes uxor mea, Willelmus de Plan, Osbertus de Clint[one]…"[2705]. Henry II King of England confirmed the property of Savigny abbey, including the donation by "Gaufridi camerarii de Clinton et Gaufridi filii eius" of "molendinum de Breneia", by charter dated to [1156/58][2706]. Henry II King of England confirmed the property of Savigny abbey, including the donation by "Gaufridi camerarii de Clinton et Gaufridi filii eius" of "molendinum de Breneia", by charter dated to [1156/58][2707]. “Gaufridus camerarius de Clintona” founded Bretford nunnery in Warwickshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Agnete uxore mea cum filio meo Henrico...Osbertus de Clintona...”[2708]. Military fee certifications in the Red Book of the Exchequer, in 1166, record "Gal[fridus] camerarius de Clintone" holding knights’ fees held "Robertus de Scrupa" in Gloucestershire, and "Galfridus de Clintone" holding 3 knights’ fees in Wallingford, Berkshire[2709]. m AGNES of Warwick, daughter of ROGER Earl of Warwick & his wife Gundred de Warenne of Surrey. The marriage settlement of "Rogerus comes Warr…Agnetem filiam meam" and "Gaufrido camerario" is undated, witnessed by "…Roberto fratre meo et Gaufrido et Henrico…Hastecill de Haruc…Willelmus de Glint[ona]…Hug[one] de Glint[ona] et Maur[icio] fratre eius…"[2710]. "Gaufridus de Clintone" confirmed the donation of land "in…Chersintona" made to Eynsham abbey by "Willelmus de Clintone patruus meus" by charter dated to [before 1152] witnessed by "Agnes uxor mea, Willelmus de Plan, Osbertus de Clint[one]…"[2711]. “Gaufridus camerarius de Clintona” founded Bretford nunnery in Warwickshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Agnete uxore mea cum filio meo Henrico...Osbertus de Clintona...”[2712]. Geoffrey & his wife had two children: i) HENRY de Clinton (-[1214/16]). “Gaufridus camerarius de Clintona” founded Bretford nunnery in Warwickshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Agnete uxore mea cum filio meo Henrico...Osbertus de Clintona...”[2713]. “Henricus de Clintona" confirmed donations to Kenilworth priory, Warwickshire, founded by "G. de Clinton avus meus", including the donation by "Lecelinæ et concessione Bertrami de Verduno filio eius" of "ecclesiam de Etha", by undated charter[2714]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Henricus de Clinton" holding one knight’s fee "de honore Gloucestriæ" in Buckinghamshire in [1210/12][2715]. m AMICE de Bidun, daughter of JOHN de Bidun & his wife Alice Mauduit. The Rotuli de Dominabus of 1185 records that the daughters of “Alizia de Bidune, soror Willelmi Mauduit” married “primogenitam…Hugo de Clinton…”[2716]. Bracton records a claim, dated 1231, by "Amicabilis de Wuttona" against "abbatem de Lauendena" concerning "ecclesiam de Wuttona…advocacionem", claimed by "Ricardus de Bello Campo" and which, according to "ipsi Amicabilis et Ricardus", was granted by "Johannes de Bidun pater predicte Amicabilis et Sarre uxoris predicti Ricardi" to "Walterum de Bidun", and that "Halnacus pater ipsius Johannis" had presented the church to "Walterus de Bidun qui fuit cancellarius Regis Scocie" and "post mortem Walteri de Bidun" to "predictus Walterum", while the abbot summoned "Amiciam de Clingtona filiam predicti Johannis de Bidun…Ermiceda de Bidun et Robertus filius Galfridi"[2717]. A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes…"[2718]. Henry & his wife had four children: (a) HENRY de Clinton (-1233 or before). Farrer records that Henry’s son Henry obtained seisin of his father’s lands in Kenilworth on 17 Mar 1218[2719]. (b) AMABEL de Clinton . A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes" and adding that "Amabel died without heir"[2720]. m LUKE de Columbiers, son of ---. (c) ISABEL de Clinton . A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes" and adding that "Isabel had Henry son of Ralph, who is her heir"[2721]. m RALPH, son of JOHN [de Merston] & his wife ---. (d) AGNES de Clinton (-after 14 Dec 1255). A writ dated 11 Nov "39 Hen III", after the death of "Maud de Rocheford, sometime the wife of John de Bydun", states that "John Bidun died without heirs of his body and had five sisters…Amicia who had three daughters, Amabel, Isabel and Agnes" and adding that "Agnes, wife of Warin de Brageham, still lives"[2722]. m WARIN de Brageham, son of ---. ii) WILLIAM de Clinton (-after 1210). The Testa de Nevill lists knights who held land in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, dated to [1208/10]: "Willelmus de Clinton" held "Eston"[2723]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Willelmus de Clintone" holding "Estone per serjanteriam lardenariæ, vel i militis" in Buckinghamshire in [1210/12][2724].

b) LESCELINE de Clinton . Her parentage and marriage are indicated by a claim dated 29 Sep 1207 against "Ricardus de Canvill et Eustachia uxor sua" relating to "ecclesiam de Hethe" which "Lecelina de Clinton avia ipsius Nicolai…Bertrami de Verdun" had donated to Kenilworth priory[2725]. m NORMAN de Verdun, son of BERTRAM de Verdun & his wife ---.