Vere Earls of Oxford

Alphonso, Count de Ghisnes
earliest known ancestor.

Alberic (Aubrey) de Vere
(came to England in 1066)

Aubrey II de Vere,
Great Chamberlain (d.1141)

* EO 1 - Aubrey de Vere,
1st Earl of Oxford (d.1194)

* EO 2 - Aubrey de Vere,
2nd Earl of Oxford (d.1214)

* EO 3 - Robert de Vere,
3rd Earl of Oxford (d.1221)

* EO 4 - Hugh de Vere,
4th Earl of Oxford (d.1221)

* EO 5 - Robert de Vere,
5th Earl of Oxford (d.1296)

* EO 6 - Robert de Vere,
6th Earl of Oxford (d.1331)

* EO 7 - John de Vere
7th Earl of Oxford (d.1360)

* EO 8 - Sir Thomas de Vere,
8th Earl of Oxford (d.1371)

* EO 9 - Robert de Vere,
9th Earl of Oxford (d.1392)

* EO10 - Aubrey de Vere,
10th Earl of Oxford (d.1400)

* EO11 - Robert de Vere
11th Earl of Oxford (d.1417)

* EO12 - John de Vere,
12th Earl of Oxford (d.1462)

* EO13 - John de Vere,
13th Earl of Oxford (d.1513)

* EO14 - Sir Robert de Vere,
14th Earl of Oxford

* EO15 - John de Vere,
15th Earl of Oxford, (d.1539)

* EO16 - John de Vere,
16th Earl of Oxford (d.1562)

* EO17 - Edward de Vere,
17th Earl of Oxford (d.1604)

* EO18 - Henry de Vere,
18th Earl of Oxford (d.1625)

* EO19 - Robert de Vere,
19th Earl of Oxford (d.1632)

* EO20 - Aubrey de Vere,
20th Earl of Oxford (d.1702)

* EO1 - Aubrey de Vere, First Earl of Oxford, Count of Ghisnes (c.1130-1194)

Aubrey de Vere, first Earl of Oxford, was born circa 1130. He was, by tenure, the third Baron of Kensington, and Count of Ghisnes through his marriage, was confirmed also in the office of Great Lord Chamberlain, and all his father's territorial possessions.

Aubrey de Vere at first might have become "Earl of Cambridge," but in the end he was created Earl of Oxford. Technically, he was made an earl by the Empress Matilda, and had been offered a choice of title from either Cambridge, Oxford, Berkshire, Wiltshire or Dorset, "provided the King of the Scots had it not." He chose Oxford, becoming the 1st earl of Oxford, a title that was later confirmed by Henry II, and would continue for another 20 generations. In January 1156 Henry II, by a fresh charter, granted him its 'thirdpenny' as earl. In addition to his title Aubrey III was also given the customary grant: "a third of the penny of the pleas of the county, as an earl ought to have." How did he win such a reward? Apparently Aubrey III had joined his brother-in-law, Earl Geoffrey, in intriguing with the Empress, and, through his influence, obtained from her at Oxford in 1142 this remarkable charter.

The new earl was an ardent supporter of the Empress Matilda, who frequently came to Hedingham Castle as a guest of de Vere. Confusing things a bit is the fact that there were simultaneously two famous Matildas, one the Empress and wife of Henry II, the other, the former Queen and widow to King Stephen. The widow Matilda also was a visitor to Hedingham, and she died there on the May 3, 1152.

In 1166, the 12th year of King Henry II, on the levy of the aid for portioning the king's daughter, the Earl of Oxford certified his knight's fees to be in number 28, for which he paid 20 pounds, and in the 2nd year of King Richard I , he paid a fine of 500 marks to the king, "for the sister of Walter de Bolebec, to make a wife for his son." In four years afterwards he contributed 30 pounds, 2 shillings, and 6 pence for the knight's fees he then held, towards the sum at that time raised for the ransom of the king. He is said to have founded the priories at Hedingham and at Ickleton, Cambridgeshire.

Aubrey III was another crusader/veteran who was known as "Aubrey the Grim," perhaps because of his height and stern appearance.

The first Earl of Oxford married (1) Euphamia Cantilupe, daughter of William de Cantilupe, by whom he had no issue, and (2) Lucia Abrincis, daughter and heiress of William de Abrincis, by whom he had the following children:

1. Aubrey de Vere, his successor (EO2), 2. Robert de Vere, who succeeded his brother, Aubrey, as EO3, 3. William de Vere, Bishop of Hereford in 1186, who died in 1199, *4. Henry de Vere, *5. Adeliza Vere, *6. Sarah Vere.

In his 'Historia Comitum Ardensium' (Pertz, vol. xxiv.), Lambert of Ardres, speaks of Aubrey as 'Albericus Aper' in his account of the comté of Guines. (Aper is Latin for Boar)

Aubrey died in 1194. His monument's inscription describes him as the "Earl of Ghisnes and 1st Earl of Oxford."

* EO2 - Aubrey de Vere, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Great Chamberlain

Aubrey de Vere, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Great Chamberlain, succeeded in 1194. He fought alongside Richard Lionheart in Normandy and was later to command King John's forces in Ireland, [where King John had upset the local chieftains of the country]. Aubrey, EO2, was Sheriff of Essex and Herefordshire from the 10th to the 15th year of King John. He was a Privy Councilor and also Steward of the vast estates of Epping Forest in 1213.

The Castle at Hedingham was completed during EO2's lifetime, along with the curtain wall around the castle keep. That curtain wall has since disappeared and the area around the keep now features a small wooded area which were planted around 1719. In its day as a military stronghold, the entire surrounding area was kept clear of undergrowth, ensuring unhindered views from the battlements of any approaching danger.

EO2 was reputed by some as one of the "evil councilors" of King John. De Vere died in 1214 without issue, and his brother Robert succeeded him as 3rd earl of Oxford.

* EO3 - Robert de Vere, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Lord Chamberlain of England

Robert de Vere, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Lord Chamberlain of England (c.1170 - October 25, 1221) also took part as a crusader in the holy wars. Robert had already reached middle age when the death of his childless elder brother Aubrey in 1214, made him third earl and hereditary great chamberlain of England. Robert pursued a different course than his brother, Aubrey. He was one of the celebrated 25 barons who took up arms against the King and operating "in the defense of England" forced King John to sign the Magna Carta (in the 15th year of his reign). Robert and the others were appointed as Sureties to enforce the observance of the Magna Carta (for which he and the others were excommunicated by the Pope.)

The Barons offered the crown of England to Louis, son of the French King, and a French force landed and established themselves at Colchester Castle. The invaders were soon attacked by King John and forced to surrender. John then turned his wrath on Castle Hedingham, which he put under siege in 1216. It was only after a long fierce resistance, that the rebel forces surrendered and John took the castle. The Dauphin and his soldiers returned in 1217 and laid siege to Hedingham. After a long fight it was re-taken. On the death of King John, the new King Henry III made peace with the Barons, and Robert de Vere was returned to favor. Hedingham and all of his estates were returned.

In the beginning of the reign of King Henry III the third Earl of Oxford appears to have been one of the judges in the Court of King's Bench (as evidenced from a fine levied before him and others). This Earl of Oxford has, by some, been described as a judge of the royal court, on the strength of this single record of fines levied before him in 1220. Also, as a younger son, he might very well have been brought up to study the law. But Robert may have only been presiding, as peers often did, over a body of itinerant justices. In fact, he is recorded as acting in that capacity in Hertfordshire later that same year. He was also one of the party to the covenant which assigned to the barons the custody of the city and tower of London.

Robert obtained livery of his lands (through payment of a thousand marks fee) and purchased the wardship of the heir of William FitzOates to marry to his own niece.

In 1208 Oxford bought a license to marry Isabel Bolebec (c. 1176- Feb. 3, 1245) , daughter and co-heir of Hugh de Bolebec, and sister and heir of Walter de Bolebec, by whom he had the following issue:

1. Hugh de Vere (c. 1210-1263), his successor, 4th Earl of Oxford,
2. Henry de Vere, of Great Addington, co. Northampton, whose son,
Robert, was father of Richard de Vere, who married Isabel Greene.

Bountiful additions to the family estates were obtained through the marriage of Robert de Vere to the heiress of the Bolebecs, whose ancestor, Hugh, had obtained large estates in Buckinghamshire at the Conquest. It is through this match that the Earls of Oxford later assumed the title of Viscount Bolebec.

The third earl died October 25, 1221, and was buried in the Benedictine priory of Hatfield, Broadoak, near Bishop's Stortford in Essex, priory at Hatfield Broadoak (Regis), which had been founded by his grandfather as a cell of St. Melaine at Rennes. In the year of Oxford's death his widow gave a site in the city of Oxford to the Dominicans (the black friars) who had recently come into England. Robert was succeeded by his eldest son, Hugh.

In some accounts, Robert de Vere has been credited as the 'primus fundator' [first founder] of the priory. His effigy, shown with crossed legs, remains in the local Hatfield parish church, where it was placed after removal from the old priory church. Curiously, Robert's heraldic arms as seen on his effigy bear a unique difference from other representations of the de Vere arms. On his shield the silver star in the first quarter was displayed, not as by all other Veres upon a red background (a field gules), but upon one of "France ancient."

* EO4 - Hugh de Vere, 4th Earl of Oxford

Hugh de Vere, 4th Earl of Oxford (and 5th Great Chamberlain), was born around 1210. He was at the side of Edward I at the siege of Caerlaverock and later participated in the Crusade of 1248-1254. He was knighted at Gloucester in the 17th year of King Henry III. In 1245 his mother Isabel died, and Hugh gave security for payment of his relief (100 pounds), and successfully sued his livery, gaining the lands of his inheritance. Hugh was one of the subscribing barons to the letter transmitted to the Pope, complaining of the exactions of his holiness upon this realm. The fourth EO attended the parliament (in the 32nd year of King Henry III) at which the king was criticized for his outrageous expenditures, and told that neither his treasurer nor chancellor had the confidence of the lords.

The earl married Hawise Quincy in 1223, daughter of Sayer de Quincy, Earl of Winchester, and his wife, Margaret Beaumont. Hugh de Vere and Hawise Quincy had issue as follows:

1. Robert de Vere, his heir, 2. Aubrey de Vere, 3. Richard de Vere, 4. Margaret Vere, married Hugh de Cressi, 5. Maud Vere, 6. Isabel Vere, married John de Courtenay, a feudal Baron of Oakhampton, son of Robert de Courtenay, Viscount of Devonshire and Governor of the Castle of Exeter.

Hugh de Vere founded several Hospitals and Almshouses and did a lot for the poor on his manor in Hedingham. He also built the steeple of Earls Colne church and was buried there after he died in 1263. Hugh was succeeded by his eldest son, Robert.

By Robert Brazil © copyright 2003

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