robin hood in bradbourne?

The early Ferrers, Chief Lord of Bradbourne and his tenants the Bradbourne’s seem to cover a very rebellious time of unrest against the Sovereign between 1260 – 1330s.  In 1279, Robert III de Ferrers lost his lands and holdings and was imprisoned for a period of time.  The tale of Robin Hood may have been taken from this dis-favoured Knight by the King.  

Matthew Kniveton, his lieutenant nearly lost his lands after they are captured and successfully convinced the crown to keep them.  Robert III de Ferrer’s father, William III, 5th Earl of Derby died in 1254 whilst he was a minor and Robert was married at the age of 10 to a 7 year old girl called Mary daughter of Hugh XI of Lusignan count of la March who was the eldest of Henry III’s half brother at Wesminster Abbey.  The arranged marriage was orchestrated by Prince Edward who sold the wardship/marriage to Mary’s parents receiving 6000 marks himself.  

Also, Robert’s grandparents castle at Pevril was given to Prince Edward too. This caused later in Robert III’ de Ferrers life, a long -term grudge of resentment, that eventually turned into anger and violence.

 Robert inherited from his family, vast estates making him one of the wealthiest Norman ancestors and included Duffield Frith, large parts of Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Chartley Castle in Staffordshire from his mother, and all Lancashire between Ribble and the Mersey which came from the estate of 4th Earl of Chester, whose sister, Robert’s grandfather had married.  

However, the estate was crippled by charges and to pay them, Robert had to take out loans probably from Jewish financiers in Worcester.  Robert was unreliable and lacked political sophistication and as soon as he took over his estate he attacked the Priory of Tutbury which his family were patrons of.  

He was friends with Simon de Montfort and he followed him to rebel in 1263 against King Henry III and during this violent time it was called the Second Baron’s War.  It is recorded that Robert took castles in South Wales which belonged to Prince Edward.

Robert attacked Worcester sacking the Jewish quarter, plundering the religious and private houses and damaging lands of the Royal parks.  He carried away the bonds recording his loans immediately releasing his debt problem.  He then went to join Simon de Montfort’s forces at Gloucester Castle recently taken by Edward.  

To Robert’s annoyance, Edward escaped having made a truce with Simon’s son Henry.  It showed Robert’s driving forces was his hatred of Edward rather than reform and Robert of Gloucester of that time observed that ‘The earl Robert Ferrers, when he came thither, he was well-nigh mad for wrath that they had made agreement.  He smote his steed with the spur as did all his company.  And turned himself for wrath again, as quick as he might hasten. Of no one was Edward more afraid’.  (Oakes, Fergus Peter Wilfred 2015 The nature of war and its impact o society during the Barons’ War 1264-67 University of Glasgow PhD thesis).

However, Prince Edward retaliated and attacked Northampton Castle, and Roberts brother William, Lord of Chesterfield; Sir Ralph Bassett of Drayton and Lord of Crich were taken prisoner in 1264.  Edward also attacked the Chartley Castle and later destroyed Tutbury Castle followed by the Battle of Lewes (which the Ferrers did fight at).  

RECORDED IN THE DUNSTABLE CHARTERS IN 1264, WIRKSWORTH CHURCH PAID £10.00 ON BEHALF OF SIMON OF SUNSTABLE PRIORY FOR PRINCE EDWARD NOT TO BURN DOWN THE CHURCH AT BRADBOURNE.

Prince Edward and the King were finally captured and the Ferrers gained royal castles of Bolsover, Horston and Tickhill and Peverel and Chester.  Montfort’s Parliament of 1265 was losing support and sent orders for Robert to surrender Peveril Castle and imprisoned Edward in the Tower of London.  However, Edward escaped and defeated Montfort at the Battle of Evesham and showed the rebels little mercy.  Robert was released on paying 1500 marks and given a pardon and his inheritance was secured and mediation arranged in his quarrel with Prince Edward.  

Unfortunately, Robert decided to join other Montfortian supporters and rebelled again in 1266.  At the Battle of Chesterfield Robert was recaptured and some fled to the forests and lived as outlaws for two years. The Ferrers was imprisoned in Windsor Castle until 1269.  Duffield castle was pulled down and King Henry’s second son, Edmund was given possession of his lands and goods.  

Recorded in the Dunstable Charters, Robert de Ferrers III in 1269 took to the Peak Forest and began living there and plundered the whole area.  

HE STOLE A FOOD HORSE BELONGING TO THE PRIOR AT BRADBOURNE; LATER ROBERT BECAME GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE MONKS AND HIS MEN KEPT THEIR HANDS OFF BRADBOURNE GRANGE, AND STOLE GOODS FROM OTHER CHURCHES IN THE AREA ~ Dunstable Annals.

Robert could reclaim his lands in return for a redemption payment of seven times their annual value and a debt to paid of £50,000.  The Duchy of Lancaster received a considerable part of his revenues whilst Ferrers was left virtually landless and deprived of his title.  

The Ferrers lived on for another ten years, and unable to regain his estates except for Chartley Castle by force but was soon ejected.  He, however, pleaded with King Edward and although he was able to recover his manor at Chartley (the ruins of which still survive today, five miles from Loxley),  though he was not allowed the castle, and this marked the end of the great position of what had been one of England’s most powerful families.  

Robert in his last ten years, remarried Eleanor de Broase, granddaughter of Humphrey de Bohun and had two children; John who became 1st Baron Ferrers of Chartley and Eleanor who married Robert Fitz Walter.

There has been great speculation on the true identity of Robin Hood. Many thought his name could be Robert, with the 'Hood' surname catching on, due to the hood he would wear when committing crimes. 

The background and extracts from the Dunstable Annals and Charters would certainly fit in with the traditional Robin Hood characteristics we have come to learn today. We, of course, have to succumb to the fact we will never truly know, though how amazing it would be if we were walking alongside the past footsteps of the legendary Robin Hood?!

Locations in the local area named after the Robin Hood Legend: 

- Robin Hood's Stride, between Winster and Bakewell -  According to legends, during the 14th Century Robin Hood leaped between the large stones at each end of the tor which led to it becoming known as Robin Hood's Stride. 

- Robin Hood's Cave, Stanage Edge - there are tales that describe Robin sheltering here

- Lud's Church, Staffordshire - Robin Hood and his Merry Men are though to have taken refuge here.

- Little John's Grave -  Little John, one of Robin Hood's Merry Men is reportedly buried in the churchyard of Saint Michael’s, Hathersage, Derbyshire.