Robert de Alfeton, Lord of Alfreton, Norton and Marnham, a grandson of Robert fitz Ralph, founder of Beauchief Abbey

Family

From https://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ancestorsearch&id...

Robert Alfreton (William Alfreton5, Robert FitzRalph4, Ranulph fitz Ingelram3, Ingelram2, Ingelram1) died 1222. He married Agnes de Verdon.

Children of Robert Alfreton and Agnes de Verdon are:

• i. Alice Alfreton.
• ii. Amicia de Alfreton was born BEF 22 MAR 1200, and died 11 NOV 1250
• iii. Thomas de Alfreton, dsp

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Robert fitz Ranulf de Alfreton is best known (so to speak) for his donations to Beauchief Abbey in expiation for his involvement in the murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170.

There is some ongoing dispute in this regard, as the four murderers of St. Thomas (de Morville, FitzUrse & c.) are well known, as Robert fitz Ranulf is not found among them. Most likely, as with Sir Ranulf de Broc of Catteshall, Surrey and Frobury, co. Hants., Robert fitz Ranulf was involved in the conspiracy against Becket in some manner, the details of which are no longer known.

Founder of Beauchief Abbey ca. 1172-1176, in expiation for his involvement in the plot and murder of Thomas a Becket, archbishop of Canterbury.

"Of Robert Fitz-Ranulph, canon and founder of this place, who gave us four churches, namely, Norton, Alfreton, Wymmdeswold, and Edwalton, for whom a solemn service shall be said in the convent, and of Robert de Chaworth (Sept. 9)."[Commendations of Beauchief Abbey"

Notes

From 'Houses of Premonstratensian canons: The abbey of Beauchief', in A History of the County of Derby: Volume 2, ed. William Page (London, 1907), pp. 63-69. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/derbs/vol2/pp63-69 [accessed 13 October 2019].

William lord of Alfreton, the son of the founder, gave to the abbey the mill of Cold Aston in the adjoining parish of Dronfield; Robert de Alfreton, the founder's grandson, who flourished between 1242 and 1270, gave considerable lands in Norton and Alfreton, whilst Ranulph, his brother, gave a bovate and a half of land in Wymeswold. (fn. 7) The male line of the Alfreton family came to an end with Thomas, who died without issue in 1269. (fn. 8) His sister Alice, one of his two coheirs, married Sir William Chaworth, and brought to him the Alfreton estate.

References

• Honors and Knights' Fees, Volume 2. By William Farrer. Page 152 - 153. GoogleBooks
• Compiled by George Ormerod, Parentalia, Genealogical Memoirs, Not Published, page 67. < GoogleBooks >