Sir Robert le Sauvage
Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Death: 1219
Place of Death: on crusade.
The death is recorded in the Close Rolls.
Relationships
Father: uncertain (probably Robert le Sauvage).
Mother: Sibyl.
See the Commentary section below.
Spouse: Hawise daughter of William fitz Walkelin.
This relationship is recorded in the Fine Rolls (see below).
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
Roger le Sauvage (died about 1256) married Aldeluya.
Evidence
from Madox (p. 789):
Robert de Salvage gave xx s, to have his Plaint in the King’s Court at Westminster against John de Cumbe, for the Marriage of Agnes Daughter of John, whose Marriage (he said) was in his Guift. [Robertus le Salvage r c de xxs, pro habenda loquela sua de donatione Agnetis filiae Johannis, quam dicit ad se pertinere, in Curia Regis apud Westmonasterium, versus Johannem de Cumba; In th. 1, Et Q. e. Mag. Rot. 7. R. I. Rot. 18. b. Sudsexx.] [1196]
from the Rotuli de Oblatis et Finibus:
(p. 5)
1199. Nottingham.
Rob’ Salvag’ gave the king 100 marks and a palfrey for having the daughter of Will’ fil’ Walklen’ in marriage.
(p. 526)
1214. Sussex.
Robert’ Le Sauvag’ fined 100 pounds and a palfrey to have lands in Steineby and Ruthethorn’, which were of Will’ fil’ Walkelin’, and that the sons that Rob’t had of the daughter of Will’ would inherit them.
from the Chichester Chartulary:
no. 321
[1204-7]
I, John Somery, for my salvation have granted to Holy Trinity, Chichester, and Bishop Simon [de Welles] in almoin 4s. rent in the manor of Bixle fromt he half hide which Heruic de Bernehorn held on the day that this charter was made, namely 2s. at Michaelmas and 2s at Easter. Warranty. Sealed. Witnesses, Hugh Treuet then bailiff of the lord of Chichester, Robert Savage, then sergeant of the county of Sussex.
no. 326
[undated, about 1200?]
I, Robert Savage, for my salvation have granted to Holy Trinity, Chichester, 2s. a year, to be rendered in the church of Chichester by me and my heirs.
from the Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum (pt. 1)
(p. 164b.)
An. 15o Johann. [1213]
Breve de inquisitione faciendâ super dampnis ecclesiae et clero illatis, tempore motae discordiae inter Regem et clerum Angliae. Teste Rege apud Northanton, xxxjo. die Augusti.
In Ep’atu Cicest’r. … Rob’s le Sauvag’.
(p. 179)
26 November 1214 The king to the sheriff of Nottingham.
Instructions to take rents from lands that were of William son of Walklin and later of Robert Savage to pay a 100 pound fine. Also mentions the children that the same Robert had from Hawise his wife.
(p. 208)
1214
To the sheriff of Nottingham to give Rob’ le Sauvag’ seisin of Steynby and of Ruethorn’
(p. 311)
1217
Robert returns to the allegiance of the king.
(p. 397)
1219
Rob le Sauvage, before leaving for Jerusalem, made a fine for 25 marks to have seisin of all the land that he had [in the city of Lincoln?] of Hawise the daughter of William son of Walkelin, who is dead, towards her marriage.
(p. 399)
19 September 1219
Rob’t le Sauvage died on crusade.
from the Calendar of Patent Rolls:
1217. Rex Roberto le Sauvage, salutem. Mandamus vobis quod sine dilacione deliberetis Willelmum Reyne, mercatorem, quem gentes nostre de garnisione castri nostri de Brembre ceperunt, in conductu magistri et fratrum milicie Templi in Anglia, et vos captum detinetis. Et in hujus rei testimonium etc. vobis mittimus. Teste eodem comite, apud Westmonasterium, iiij die Octobris, anno regni nostri primo.
Sussex fines:
no. 39.
Inter Ric. de Knel [ ] Isabell. ux' suam pet' et Sibill la sauuage et Robm. fil' suum ten':—De dimidia hida terre in Dirin [ton]; Unde recognicio de morte antecessoris sum' fuit inter eos:—Sibill. et Robs. recognoverunt &c., tenendam per servicium xij partis j militis:—Pro hoc fine Rics. et Isab. dederunt Robo. v marcas et remiserunt totum jus quod habuerunt in iij hidis terre in Direnton quas Thom. le Sauuage tenuit preter quam in j virgata terre de eodem feudo unde Rics. est homo ipsius Roberti. [1° John Westm' Cras' SS. Philippi et Jacobi. (File 2. No. 27).] [18 May 1200]
no. 138.
Inter Robm. le Sauuage pet' et Stephm. le Poher ten':—De feodo quatuor militum in Thacham; unde placitum fuit inter eos:—Robs. recognovit' &c, tenendum per servicium quatuor militum inde faciendo pro omni servicio:—Pro hoc fine Stephs. dedit Robto. decem marcas: Et haec concordia facta fuit presente et concedente Regin. de Brausa de quo Stephs. prius tenuit tenementa predicta et de quo et de cujus hbs. Robs. et ejus heredes decetero tenebunt. [2° Henry III. Westm' Oct' Sci. Hillarii. (File 6. No. 2).] [1217/18]
from the Calendar of the Fine Rolls:
2/32 (05 April 1218)
Lincolnshire. Robert Savage has made fine with the king by 25 m. for seisin of all land formerly of Hawise daughter of William son of Walkelin in Lincoln, which King Richard, uncle of King Henry, gave to her for her marriage, and later Hawise was Robert’s wife. He has letters for having seisin to Simon Trussebut and Richard Clerk, escheators of Lincolnshire . His pledges for the fine are Alan de St. George and Robert son of Walkelin. Witness as above.
3/243a (28 April 1219)
28 April. Westminster. This fine is contained in the roll for the second year and was sent to the Exchequer at another time. Lincolnshire. Robert Savage has made fine with the king by 25 m., for which Alan de St. George and Robert son of Walkelin are his pledges, for having seisin of all land formerly of Hawise daughter of William son of Walkelin in Lincoln that King Richard, the king’s uncle, gave her for her marriage. Hawise was later the wife of the same Robert. Order to the sheriff of Lincolnshire to cause Robert to have full seisin of the aforesaid land. Witness H. de Burgh .
Commentary
The Sussex VCH (vol.6, pt. 1, sub Broadwater) states that Sir Robert was possibly the great-great grandson of the Robert who held Broadwater in Domesday. Done gives a definite line, but his evidence does not seem sufficient to prove each link in the chain, although the descent of the property makes some such descent from the Domesday holder to the Sir Robert of this page seem very likely. Done makes a number of errors in his article, so I do not regard it as a very reliable secondary source. The VCH Broadwater article refers to Salzman’s edition of the Chartulary of the Priory of St Peter at Sele as a source of information about the Savage family at this time, but I have not yet been able to consult this book.
Turner states that the first three descendants of the Domesday Robert, all named Robert, are attested in early charters of the lords of Bramber, particularly those relating to the Priory of Sele. He states that the Robert mentioned by Madox in 1197, presumably the Robert of this page, is the fifth of that name, although he seems to conflate him with his son, also named Robert. In the earlier parts of the pedigree, I imagine it will be hard to be sure that the right number of Roberts appear.
Here are some of the pieces of evidence about probable ancestors of Sir Robert that I have managed to come across. (Most are given in Done.)
1075:
Done states states that “Robertus Salvagius” witnessed the foundation charter of the Priory of St Peter, Sele, but I don’t see his name there. (Dugdale v. 4, p. 669)
Dallaway (vol. 2, p. 17) states that Robert le Savage conferred the moiety of the great tythes of Durrington on the establishment of the Priory of Sele, which was cited in a later charter by Bishop Hilary (in the archives of Magdalen College, Oxford).
before 1080?
Robertus Silvatinus [Round: sic, recte “Silvaticus”] witnesses a letter from William de Braiosa son of Philip to his son Philip. Another witness was Gaufredus Silvaticus. (France, no. 1110).
1080:
Robert Silvaticus was one of those listed on William de Braiosa’s side in a disagreement about a gift to the monks of St. Florent.
(France, no. 1114).
1086:
Robert [presumably, Salvagius] held these lands in Domesday (Sussex VCH vol. 1, p. 447 ff.):
Broadwater
Robert holds of William Bradewatre [Broadwater]. Wigot held it of King Edward. Then it was assessed for 29 hides. Of these 9 hides are in the rape of William de Warene, and William de Braiose has 2 hides in demesne. What Robert holds has paid geld for 6 hides. There is land for 7 ploughs. On the demesne are 2 ploughs, and (there are) 30 villeins and 4 bordars with 10 ploughs. There (is) a church and 3 serfs, and 1 mill yielding (de) 7 shillings, and 60 acres of meadow. Wood(land yielding) 20 swine.
Of this land 1 knight holds 1 hide.
The whole in the time of King Edward and afterwards was worth 15 pounds; now 14 pounds.
Durrington
Robert holds of William Derentune [Durrington]. Ulward held it of Earl Harold. Then it was assessed for 4 hides, now for 1 hide. There is land for 2 ploughs. There are 2 villeins and 5 bordars with half a plough, and 4 acres of meadow. Wood(land yielding) 4 swine. Of this land 1 Frenchman (francigena) holds 1 hide and a half, and there (are) 2 bordars.
In the time of King Edward and afterwards it was worth 40 shillings; now 60 shillings.
The same Robert holds in the same place of William Derentune [Durrington]. Edward held it of King Edward. Then it was assessed for 8 hides; now for 2 hides and 1 virgate. There is land for 6 ploughs. On the demesne is 1 plough, and (there are) 9 villeins and 9 bordars with 7 ploughs. There (is) a church, and 4 serfs, and 8 acres of meadow. Wood(land yielding) 10 swine.
In the time of King Edward and afterwards, as (et) now, it was worth 100 shillings.
Worthing
The same Robert holds of William Ordinges [Worthing]. Seven alodial tenants (alodarii) held it of Earl Godwin. Then it was assessed for 11 hides. Now Robert has 9 hides and they have paid geld for 2 hides. There is land for 3 ploughs. On the demesne are 2 ploughs, and (there are) 6 villeins and 9 bordars with 1 plough. There (is) 1 serf, and 7 acres of meadow.
In the time of King Edward and afterwards, as (et) now, it was worth 100 shillings.
Robert holds of William Mordinges [Worthing]. There is 1 hide and a half. Lewin held it of King (Edward), and it has paid geld for half a hide. There (is) 1 villein and 5 bordars, and half an acre of meadow. It is and was worth 12 shillings.
Sompting
Of the selfsame manor Robert holds of William 1 hide additional to the hides assessed above (super numerum hidarum superiorum). Lewin held it, and then it was assessed for 1 hide ; now for half a virgate. There is 1 villein and 1 bordar, and 4 acres of meadow. It is worth 8 shillings and was worth (so much).
Lancing
Robert holds of William Lancinges [Lancing]. Lewin held it of King Edward. Then it was assessed for 16 hides and 1 virgate. Of these Robert himself has 12 hides and 1 virgate, and they have paid geld for 5 hides and 1 virgate and a half. There is land for 5 ploughs. On the demesne are 2 ½ ploughs, and (there are) 13 villeins and 7 bordars with 2 ploughs. There (is) 1 mill yielding (de) 8 shillings, and 7 saltpans yielding (de) 20 shillings and 3 pence.
Of this land 2 knights hold 2 ½ hides and half a virgate, and there they have on (their) demesne 2 ploughs, and 11 saltpans yielding (de) 12 shillings and 6 pence.
The whole in the time of King Edward was worth 9 pounds, and afterwards 7 pounds ; now 14 pounds and 10 shillings.
Ashington
Robert holds of William Essingetune [Ashington]. Two alodial tenants (alodiarii) held it of Earl Godwin. Then it was assessed for 2 ½ hides ; now for nothing. It was part of (jacuit in) Wasingetune [Washington]. There is land for 3 ploughs. On the demesne is 1 (plough), and (there are) 6 villeins and 2 bordars with 1 plough and a half. It is worth and always was worth 30 shillings.
Buncton
Robert holds of William Bongetune [Buncton]. Lewin held it of King Edward. Then it was assessed for 4 ½ hides; now for nothing. There is land for 5 ploughs. On the demesne is 1 plough, and (there are) 19 villeins and 7 bordars with 5 ploughs. There (are) 2 acres of meadow, wood(land yielding) 10 swine, and 1 mill yielding (de) 2 shillings. In the time of King Edward and afterwards (it was worth) 30 shillings; now 40 shillings.
The same Robert has a small pasture with 2 bordars who return 5 shillings. This belongs to (est in) Langemare [? Angmering] which Earl Roger holds in his rape.
1096:
Rotbertus Salvagius was a witness to a confirmation of a gift by Philip de Brausia to the abbey of St Florent. (France, no. 1119)
Robertus Salvagius is a witness in what I assume is a copy of the preceding confirmation given by Dugdale from the records of the Priory at Sele. (Dugdale v. 4, p. 669)
about 1130:
Robert Sauvage (Saluagio) witness a grant by William de Braosa to the monks of St Pancras at Lewes of a house and land in Shoreham. (Lewes, pp. 71-2)
about 1135:
Rodbertus Salvagius witnesses a similar confirmation to the 1096 confirmation by Philip’s son William. (Dugdale v. 4, p. 669)
1164:
Robertus Salvagius was a witness to a concord between John de Tresgoz and the abbot of Fécamp, on the part of the abbot. (France, no. 142.)
1170:
Robert Savage (Saluagio) witnesses a grant by Simon de Herbetingis to the monks of St Pancras. (Lewes, p. 38).
1195:
Robertus Salvagius was a witness to a concord between John’s son John de Tresgoz and the new abbot, on the part of the abbot. (France, no 142.)
1196:
Robertus le Salvage pled in the King’s Court to have the marriage of Agnes, daughter of John Combe.
1200:
Sibill la sauuage and Rob. her son are involved in a fine, partly regarding land once held by Thom. le Sauuage.
References
An Abstract of the Feet of Fines for the County of Sussex vol 1, 2., 3. (Sussex recordSociety, 1903-1916).
Calendar of documents preserved in France illustrative of the History of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. I A.D. 918-1206 (J.Horace Round, ed.) (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1898).
Calendars of the Fine Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office. (His/Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1911-).
Calendars of the Patent Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office. (His/Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1906-).
The Chartulary of the High Church of Chichester. (W.D. Peckham, ed.) (Sussex Record Society v. 46, 1946).
Chartulary of Lewes Priory (L.F. Salzman ed.) (Sussex Record Society vol. 40, 1934).
Dallaway, James and Edmund Cartwright. A History of Western Sussex vol.2, part 2. (1830).
Done, W.E.P. “Notes on the Sussex Family of Savage” in Sussex Archaelogical Collections vol. 105 (1967).
Dugdale, William. Monasticon Anglicanum. Vol. 4 (London, 1846).
Excerpta e Rotulis Finium in Turri Londinensi Asservatis, Henrico Tertio Rege, A.D.1216-1272. vol. 1 (1835).
A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 1.(Victoria County History, 1905).
A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 6 Part 1, Bramber Rape (Southern Part).(Victoria County History, 1980).
A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 6 Part 2, Bramber Rape (North-Western Part) including Horsham (Victoria County History, 1986).
A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 6 Part 3, Bramber Rape (North-Eastern Part) including Crawley New Town (Victoria County History, 1987).
Keats-Rohan, K.B. Domesday People (1999).
Madox, Thomas. The History and Antiquities of the Exchequer of the Kings of England, in Two Periods: To Wit, From the Norman Conquest, to the End of the Reign of K. John; and From the End of the Reign of K. John, to the End of the Reign of K. Edward II. 2nd ed. (London, 1769).
Rotuli litterarum clausarum in Turri Londinensi asservati vol. 1 (ed. Thomas Duffus Hardy) (1833).
Rotuli de Oblatis et Finibus in Turri Londinensi asservati, Tempore Regis Johannis. (ed. Thomas Duffus Hardy) (1835).
Round, J. H. “The Early History of North and South Stoke” in Sussex Archaeological Collections vol. 59 (1918).
Statham, S.P.H. “Later Descendants of Domesday Tenants in Derbyshire” in Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural History Society new series, vol. 5, no. 52 (1931).
Turner, Edward. “On Sedwick Castle” in Sussex Archaeological Collections vol. 8 (1856).