Roger de Somery inherited the feudal barony of Dudley in 1235. In 1262, Roger started the re-fortification of Dudley Castle, which had been slighted by order of King Henry II after a rebellion in 1173-1174. Roger married twice and died in 1272.
Biography edit
Roger de Somery was the son of Ralph de Somery (d 1210) and Margaret le Gras (liv 1247), feudal baron of Dudley. He inherited the barony in 1235.[1] In 1253, the king sent Roger on an expedition to Gascony to help quell a rebellion.[2] In 1262, Roger began to re-fortify Dudley Castle, which had been slighted by order of King Henry II after the revolt of 1173–74. However, as he did not have a licence from the king to rebuild the castle, he was ordered to stop the construction work.[2] A licence was subsequently obtained and refortification resumed although the castle was not finished in his lifetime. Roger married twice, first to Nichola Albini/d'Aubigny (daughter of William de d'Aubigny, 3rd Earl of Arundel) and secondly to Amabel Chacombe.[1] He died in 1272.
By his wife Nichola, he had the following children:
- Ralph de Somery, predeceased his father, died without male heirs (d 1273-1282)
- Margaret de Somery m Ralph Cromwell and Ralph Basset
- Joan de Somery m John le Strange
- Mabel de Somery m Walter de Sully
- Matilda/Maud de Somery m Henry de Erdington [3]
By his wife Amabil he had 2 sons:
- Roger de Somery
- Percival de Somery
References edit
- ^ a b Hemingway, John (2006). An Illustrated Chronicle of the Castle and Barony of Dudley 1070-1757. Dudley: The Friends of Dudley Castle. pp. 35–1272. ISBN 9780955343803.
- ^ a b "Parishes: Dudley | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ Pedigrees from the Plea Rolls