Person:William Dirleton (1)

de Vaux Wikipedia

The Norman family of de Vaux originated in Rouen, northern France, and settled in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Two de Vaux brothers, or cousins, were among a number of Anglo-Norman knights invited to Scotland, and granted land, by King David I of Scotland in the 12th century. Hubert de Vaux was given the barony of Gilsland in Cumbria, at that time part of Scotland, while John de Vaux was granted the barony of Dirleton. John built a castle at Eldbotle, probably to the north-west of modern Dirleton, and another, named Tarbet Castle, on the island of Fidra, although neither survives.[1]

In 1220, Fidra was gifted to the monks of Dryburgh Abbey by William de Vaux.[2] William's son, another John, had been held hostage in England as surety for the good conduct of King William the Lion in 1213, and succeeded to the barony in the 1220s.[2] He then began the construction of a replacement for Tarbet at Dirleton, which was recorded as a "castellum" in 1225,[3] although this may refer to an earlier timber structure.[4] In 1239, de Vaux was appointed seneschal, or steward, to Marie de Coucy, on her marriage to King Alexander II. Marie de Coucy was the daughter of Enguerrand III, Lord of Coucy (d.1242), builder of the Château de Coucy, in Picardy (c.1220s), which probably served as a model for Dirleton.[5] The 13th-century stone castle, of which only the donjon, or keep, remains, represented a show of de Vaux's status, and would have required peaceful times to permit a prolonged construction project.[6]

Peaceful times ended in 1296, with the outbreak of the Wars of Scottish Independence. Dirleton, which guarded the route between Edinburgh and the English border, changed hands several times through the invasions of the English under King Edward I. During the campaign of summer 1298, the castle was besieged by English forces under Antony Bek, the Bishop of Durham.[7] Dirleton withstood the assault for several months, until the English victory at Falkirk allowed them to bring up large siege engines, after which the castle was soon reduced.[8] Dirleton was garrisoned by the English, but must have been retaken by the Scots before 1306, when the English commander Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke recaptured Dirleton once more. It was finally retaken by the Scots some time before 1314, and was slighted, or deliberately damaged, to prevent its reuse by the English.[8]

William I de Vaux William de Vas witnessed a charter of Eschina, lady of Mow, to Paisley Abbey, 25.3.1173 x 1177. (Pais. Reg., p. 75). William de Vaux witnessed royal charters in the period 1189-99 : RRS ii, nos. 293, 300, 317, 396, 401, 421. William de Vaux, perhaps the lord of Dirleton, witnessed a charter of Anselm de Neuby to Wetherhal Priory in Cumbria, Wetherhal Reg., no. 138, x 1195. William de Vaux granted 2 bovates in Gullane to Coldingham Priory, x 1203. (ND, no. 172). William de Vaux granted a toft and some land in Gullane, to be held by Osmund of the monks of Coldingham, perhaps c. 1200. (ND, no. 173; DCD, MC no. 714) William de Vaux witnessed Newbattle charters, nos. 112-114. No. 112 can be dated to 13.6.1212 x 7.10.1214. William de Vaux confirmed a charter of William Noble of Garmilton of land next to the Peffer Burn. There was also a dipsute between William de Vaux and Newbattle over the bounds of this land (Newb. Reg., no. 119). William de Vaux witnessed Alexander II’s grand confirmation to Arbroath Abbey, dated at Clunie, 1 March. 17.2.1215 x 15.12.1218. (el. Robert bp. Ross x cons. Gregory, bp. Brechin) (so 1 March, 1215x1218). William de Vaux granted, for the soul of his lord, King William ‘of good memory’, 15.12.1218 x 12.10.1233 (royal confirmation; Arb. Lib., nos. 116, 118.) William de Vaux witnessed a charter of William de Munfichet to Coupar Angus Abbey, 28 Dec. 1220 x 24 Mar. 1222 (‘1221’ O.S.) William de Vaux was in a dispute with the nuns of South Berwick, 15.4.1221. Dryb. Lib., nos. 35, 36. William de Vaux granted a charter to Dryburgh Abbey of the right of patronage of the church of Gullane, in the presence of Brother James, the papal legate, probably on 16 April 1221 (Dryb. Lib., no. 23). This was definitely William de Vaux lord of Dirleton, as his son John confirmed the grant in no. 25. William de Vaux granted a charter to the church of St Andrew of Gullane of the chapel of St Andrew of Dirleton and gives a pound of incense on the feast of St Andrew. (Dryb. Lib., no. 29) Date uncertain, but William was dead by the time of Bishop William Malveisin’s confirmation, 16.4.1221 x 9.7.1238. (Dryb. Lib., no. 30). William de Vaux granted a charter to Dryburgh Abbey and the canons on Fidra, 20 and a half acres of land in Eldbotle and the land of Reginald Tailor in Dirleton. Undatable, except by William’s dates, say ca. 1180 x ca. 1221.

Notes on the de Vaux lords of Dirleton By Matthew Hammond John I de Vaux Witness to royal charters of Malcolm IV, from c. 1160: RRS i, nos. 205, 221, 222, 228, 230, 255 and Barrow, Anglo-Norman Era, App. I, no. 1, which is dated at Eldbotle. Witness to royal charters of William, to c. 1180: RRS ii, nos. 44, 116, 179, 188, 204, 238. John de Vaux witnessed a charter, 1165x69 (Dunf. Reg., no. 161). In 1174, John I de Vaux was a hostage for William at Falaise. (CDS i, no. 139). In c. 1175 (?), John I de Vaux W (CDS i, no. 197). John I de Vaux W a charter of Alexander de St Martin to St Andrews, 1178, prob. 13 May x. (St And. Liber, 333-4). John de Vaux witnessed a charter of Robert de Brus (conventio with Bp Ingram of Glasgow), dating 1175 x 23.3.1189, prob. 1187 x (Glas. Reg., no. 72). If it is 1187x89, then it is the last appearance of John de Vaux. However, as this deals with the Annandale area, it is possible, perhaps probable, that this John is from the Gilsland family. William I de Vaux William de Vas witnessed a charter of Eschina, lady of Mow, to Paisley Abbey, 25.3.1173 x 1177. (Pais. Reg., p. 75). William de Vaux witnessed royal charters in the period 1189-99 : RRS ii, nos. 293, 300, 317, 396, 401, 421. William de Vaux, perhaps the lord of Dirleton, witnessed a charter of Anselm de Neuby to Wetherhal Priory in Cumbria, Wetherhal Reg., no. 138, x 1195. William de Vaux granted 2 bovates in Gullane to Coldingham Priory, x 1203. (ND, no. 172). William de Vaux granted a toft and some land in Gullane, to be held by Osmund of the monks of Coldingham, perhaps c. 1200. (ND, no. 173; DCD, MC no. 714) William de Vaux witnessed Newbattle charters, nos. 112-114. No. 112 can be dated to 13.6.1212 x 7.10.1214. William de Vaux confirmed a charter of William Noble of Garmilton of land next to the Peffer Burn. There was also a dipsute between William de Vaux and Newbattle over the bounds of this land (Newb. Reg., no. 119). William de Vaux witnessed Alexander II’s grand confirmation to Arbroath Abbey, dated at Clunie, 1 March. 17.2.1215 x 15.12.1218. (el. Robert bp. Ross x cons. Gregory, bp. Brechin) (so 1 March, 1215x1218). William de Vaux granted, for the soul of his lord, King William ‘of good memory’, 15.12.1218 x 12.10.1233 (royal confirmation; Arb. Lib., nos. 116, 118.) William de Vaux witnessed a charter of William de Munfichet to Coupar Angus Abbey, 28 Dec. 1220 x 24 Mar. 1222 (‘1221’ O.S.) William de Vaux was in a dispute with the nuns of South Berwick, 15.4.1221. Dryb. Lib., nos. 35, 36. William de Vaux granted a charter to Dryburgh Abbey of the right of patronage of the church of Gullane, in the presence of Brother James, the papal legate, probably on 16 April 1221 (Dryb. Lib., no. 23). This was definitely William de Vaux lord of Dirleton, as his son John confirmed the grant in no. 25. William de Vaux granted a charter to the church of St Andrew of Gullane of the chapel of St Andrew of Dirleton and gives a pound of incense on the feast of St Andrew. (Dryb. Lib., no. 29) Date uncertain, but William was dead by the time of Bishop William Malveisin’s confirmation, 16.4.1221 x 9.7.1238. (Dryb. Lib., no. 30). William de Vaux granted a charter to Dryburgh Abbey and the canons on Fidra, 20 and a half acres of land in Eldbotle and the land of Reginald Tailor in Dirleton. Undatable, except by William’s dates, say ca. 1180 x ca. 1221. John II de Vaux Apparently hostage for King William in treaty with King John, 1213. ‘son of William de Vaux of Dirleton’ in custody of Robert de Vaux of Gilsland, 13.6.1213 (CDS i, no. 574). Witnesses some royal charters while father still alive: RRS ii, no. 509. (late in William’s reign) Handlist, no. 48 Newb. Reg., no. 121 28.8.1219 (sheriff of Edinburgh) Witnessed many charters of Alexander II: Handlist, no. 106 Melr. Lib., no. 245 22.7.1226 no. 125 St And Lib., 232-6 29.8.1228 Selkirk no. 144 9.1.1231 no. 161 5.10.1232 no. 176 3.7.1233 no. ??? Coupar Reg., no. 23 18.7.1234 Handlist, no. 248 Newb. Reg., no. 157 21.4.1241 Handlist, no. 274 Holy. Lib., no. 74 16.2.1246 Handlist, no. 280 Newb. Reg., no. 218 2.9.1246 no. 255 8.4.1242 no. 256 9.4.1242 no. 267 7.6.1244 no. 271 9.12.1244 no. 272 7.1.1245 Witnessed non-royal charters - Newb. Reg., nos. 89 (as sheriff of Edinburgh), 132, 196. Married to a woman named Ada: Dryb. Lib., no. 33. Confirmed grant of father to Dryburgh of the church of Gullane: 16.4.1221 x. Dryb. Lib., no. 25. Granted a stone of wax to church of Gullane, uncertain date, prob. after death of father: Dryb. Lib., no. 31. Granted crofts in Gullane to Dryburgh and church of Gullane. Date uncertain. Dryb. Lib., no. 33. David, bp. St Andrews, allowed him to have a chantry in his chapel at Dirleton, 1240x 53. Dryb. Lib., no. 32. Confirmed grant of William de Vaux of land in Gullane and increases rent of Osmund to 7s. ND, no. 174. Date unknown. Confirms ND, no. 173. Confirmed island of Fidra to canons of Dryburgh as his father had given it. Prob. after death of father. Dryb. Lib., no. 105. Confirmed half mark from mill of Haddington made by his father William to Arbroath Abbey. 30.4.1230 x 11.9.1233, prob. 3.2.1231x. Arb. Lib., no. 117. Presumably the John de Vaux who was seneschal to the Queen of Scotland in 1236-7 [this is odd, however, as Ermengarde died in 1233 and Alexander did not mary Marie de Coucy until 1239. Presumably retroactive title for Ermengarde] Had a pension from king of England of £14, 13s, 4d ‘to sustain himself in his infirmity’ (CDS i, no 1309). Grant to Glasgow Cathedral. 18.4.1243. Glas. Reg., no. 184. Also mentioned in the following charters (usually as witness): Panm. Reg. i, cliv c.1219? Arb. Lib., no. 128 1233 Aberdeen Reg. ii, 268 3.3.1233 Aberdeen Reg. i, 17a 1247x56 Arb. Lib., no. 250 17.2.1250 NLS Adv. MS, 15.1.18, no. 68 1251 Dunf. Reg., no. 160 5.7.1251 In 1244, John de Vaux was one of a group of nobles to write to the pope. CDS i, no. 1655. Witnessed some early charters of Alexander III: Handlist, no. 2 3.6.1250 Handlist, no. 5 St And Lib., 294 25.4.1251 Haddington Handlist, no. 6 29.4.1251 Handlist, no. 7 30.4.1251 Handlist, no. 13 20.10.1251 Part of a royal council, 20.9.1255 (CDS i, no. 2013; APS i, 419-20; Handlist, no. 22). William II de Vaux, clerk Son of William I, brother of John II. Held some lands in Gullane/ Eldbotle area non-heritably, mentioned in charter of John II to Dryburgh Abbey, Dryb. Lib., no. 25. Was persona of the church of Gullane, 15.4.1221 or soon after. Dryb. Lib., no. 35. Held garbal teinds of Kingston in his lifetime; these were to go to the nuns of South Berwick upon his death. 15.4.1221 or soon after. Dryb. Lib., no. 35. Along with William of Gullane, was a clerk of Bishop William Malveisin of St Andrews, as mentioned in the bishop’s charter, which dates to 16.4.1221 x 31.3.1229, probably early in this range. Charter suggests that William may have been an episcopal clerk at time of the Fourth Lateran Council (Nov. 1215). William, rector of the church of Gullane, who was in a dispute with the nuns of South Berwick circa 28.9.1219 (Dryb. Lib., no. 37) was William of Gullane as opposed to William de Vaux. Possibly rector of the church of Congalton on 21.3.1224 (Dryb. Lib., no. 42) Alexander de Vaux Grantor, Dryburgh Liber, nos. 285bis to 289, 22.1.1240 x, prob. 20.9.1255 x Grantor, Glasgow Reg., no. 219. At Glasgow, 26.8.1267. John III de Vaux (Not to be confused with John de Vaux, sheriff of Norfolk and itinerant royal justice in England) 14.3.1290. Convention of Birgham (Stevenson, Documents, no. 92). 24.6.1291, Sir John de Vaux swore fealty in the chapel of the castle of Berwick. CDS ii, no. 508. 28.8.1296, John de Vaux of the county of Edinburgh did homage at Berwick. CDS ii, no. 823, p. 198. 5.10.1297, Sir John de Vaux to have his lands back for good behaviour. CDS ii, no. 949. Feb. 1304, Sir John de Vaux was present at the battle of Strathord. CDS ii, no. 1741. 11.6.1307, Sir John de Vaux to get wheat from king’s ltnt. CDS ii, no. 1938. 30.10.1309. Sir John de Vaux to provide Dirleton Castle. CDS ii, no. 1164. DE VAUX FAMILY John I de Vaux fl. ca. 1160 x ca. 1180, perhaps 1187 William I de Vaux fl. 1170s x post 16.4.1221 John II de Vaux William II de Vaux, clerk fl. x1214 x post 20.9.1255 Alexander de Vaux fl. 1267 John III de Vaux fl. 1291 x post 1309 De Vaux lords of Gilsland, Cumbria Hubert I de Vaux Robert I de Vaux, d. 1195 Ralph de Vaux, d. 1199 Robert II de Vaux, d. post 1233 Hubert II de Vaux