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Nigel (Cotentin) de Cotentin (abt. 1043 - abt. 1092)

Nigel (Neel) de Cotentin formerly Cotentin aka de Halton
Born about in Francemap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
[spouse(s) unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died about at about age 49 [location unknown]
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Profile last modified | Created 21 Feb 2011
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Contents

Biography

We know that William fitz Nigel in Cheshire had a father named Nigel or Neel, simply because fitz means "son of". Further details are all speculative.

Research Notes

A questioned Normandy-Cheshire link

Semi-mythical accounts of this person, attempt to link a real French family and a real English family (who may actually have a link). This started with an old medieval foundation story which is normally considered a fable. Because the myth is well-know an extended quote from James Tait's 1939 can help:[1]

The founder of the priory was distinguished from the many other Williams as son of Neel (Latinized Nigellus), but his father is to us a very shadowy figure. He seems to be entirely absent from contemporary record.
[...]
Where fact was wanting fiction stepped in. In the priory Progenies Nigel is said to have come to England with earl Hugh of Chester accompanied by five brothers : Hudardus, Edwardus, Wolmerus, Horswinus and Wolfatus . [1 Mon. Ang., vi, 315] Leycester quoting “ the ancient rolls,” [2 Oremerod, Hist. of Cheshire, ed. Helsby, i, 689] but later referring his quotation to the Monasticon , [3 Ibid., p.690] writes Edardus and anglicizes the last two names to Horswine and Wolfaith. The earl, having made Nigel his constable and established him at Halton, the new officer, continues the Progenies, provided for the brothers ; Hudard he made his seneschal and gave him Weston (on Mersey) and Great Aston (Aston by Sutton). He was ancestor of all the Duttons. To Edward he gave two oxgangs in Weston “ now held by the heirs of William, son of Ranulf,” to Wolmer and Horswine he gave a certain estate in Runcorn which William fitzNigel later gave to the priory. Wolfaith was a priest and received from him the church of Runcorn which also was transferred to the priory.
The untrustworthiness of these monastic pedigrees in their early steps is notorious and though Hudard, more correctly Odard, was a historical person, a knight of the constable and ancestor of the Dutton family, [1 Domesday Book, i, 266, 267 b ; Domesday Survey of Cheshire, Chetham Soc., N.S., 75 , pp. 169, 171, 173, 211. He was a knight of William fitz Nigel, but held Dutton of the earl. ] there is no evidence that he was uncle of William fitzNigel [2 Leycester long ago pointed out that the Progenies says that Nigel was accompanied by five brothers, but does not say they were his (Ormerod, op. cit., i, 643).] and the other names in themselves refute the story for they are English not Norman and apparently imaginary. [3 A Dun[ning], son of Wlmar, witnesses a charter 1141-3, but in another charter of the same period he is called son of Wluer, i.e. Wulfhere (Chartulary of St. Werburgh's, Chester (Chetham Soc., N.S., 79 , pp. 56, 234) ).] It is significant that there were slightly different versions of the story, one of which made Horswine the priest and Wolfaith (A.-S. Wulfhaeth) ancestor of the Hattons of Hatton, near Daresbury, which was of the Halt on fee. In the Hatton case the fable clearly originated in a desire to rival the Duttons in the possession of a known ancestor who “ came over with the Conqueror.”
It is noteworthy that no attempt is made in the Progenies to identify the Norman family of Nigel. It was not until the sixteenth century that unscrupulous heralds linked him up with the vicomtes of the Cotentin whose seat was at Saint-Sauveur near Valognes. This affiliation seems first to appear in print in Henry Peacham’s The Complete Gentleman . [4 P. 189, quoted in Ormerod, op. cit., i, 690 (from Leycester). ] Nigel is there said to have been son of Ivo, viscount of Cotentin, by a sister of a (misnamed) count of Brittany. Accordingly Ivon, viscount of Cotentin in Normandy, heads the Hatton pedigree as father of Wolfrid alias Wolfaith by Emma, daughter of Geoffrey, count of Bretagne, by Hedwige, daughter of Richard I, duke of Normandy. [1 Ormerod, op. cit., i, 744. ] The character of this pedigree is sufficiently indicated by the fact that Wolfaith is made father of William de Hatton, the first of his name, living in 1230. Helsby incredibly suggested identification of Wulfric, the male ancestor of the Croxtons of Croxton, with Wolfaith. [2 Ibid., iii, 210 n.] He was less critical than Leycester, who thought that the affiliation of Nigel to the vicomtes of the Cotentin needed further inquiry. [3 Ibid., i, 690, where also he expresses disbelief that Nigel was Constable of Chester. ] Such inquiry, by whom made seems un-recorded, strengthened the assumption by the discovery that though there was no vicomte of the Cotentin named Ivo in the eleventh century, there were actually two Neels, the younger of whom held the office from 1042 to 1092. He was, of course, hailed as the father of William fitzNigel and as the first baron of Halton and constable of Chester. But, as the great French scholar, Leopold Delisle, pointed out in 1867, there is no evidence, other than Wace’s “ Roman de Rou ” and a list of the followers of the Conqueror drawn up to exalt the Mohuns of Dunster Castle, that Nigel the vicomte took part in the Conquest of England. [4 Histoire du Chateau et des Sires de Saint-Sauveur-le-V icomte , p. 21 ; Leland, Collectanea, ed. 1770, i, 202. ] Had he been the first baron of Halton and constable of Chester, as the Cheshire historians have assumed, he would have held these positions in 1086 when Domesday Book was drawn up, for he lived six years longer, but William fitzNigel held both at that date.

The real family of the so-called Nigillides family of the Contentin peninsula in Normandy is discussed for example here.

Disproven Existence of Parent Yves St Sauveur

It has become clear that Ivo or Yves St Sauveur de Cotentin, who appears in some popular genealogies[2] never in fact existed, and his existence is considered disproven. As a result, he has been de-linked from the following other profiles, which themselves may need further research:

  • Parents: He has been shown as the son of Néel (II) de St Sauveur, Vicomte de Cotentin and his wife Adele de Brionne. However, Cawley cites only Leticie, Roger, Guillaume, Gerard, Emma, Bileldis, and Mathilde, but not Yves, as their children. [3]
  • Marriages. He has been shown as the husband of Emme de Bretagne and Gisele de Beaumont, but as someone who never existed, he cannot have had wives.
  • Children. He has been shown as the father of the following children, but as someone who never existed, he cannot have children, and therefore the link as parent and child has been broken. Further research regarding the parenthood of these persons is required:
  1. Nigel (Cotentin) de Cotentin, born Cotentin 1043. Niel /Nigel de Cotentin, Lord of Halton, Constable of Chester; [2] Nigel (Cotentin) de Cotentin, born Cotentin 1043 [4] Nigel (B. Halton)[5] Weber reports that Kay Allen referred to Ivo as father (with Emma of Brittany) of Neel/Nigel and Odard [6]Neel (Nigel) Constable of CHESTER , of Halton b: ABT 1043 in Cotentin Penninsula, Manche, Normandy, France (has children) Weber reports that Kay Allen, probably giving the "classic" view of Ivo's issue, states that Ivo was father of Nigel and alleged father of Odard. There are a lot of people that do not accept this due to a lack of evidence.[6]
  2. Odard Cotentin, born Normandy 1046. Odard, 1st Lord of Dutton; [2] Odard Cotentin, born Normandy 1046 [4] Odard (Lord of Dutton)[5] Weber reports that Kay Allen referred to Ivo as father (with Emma of Brittany) of Neel/Nigel and Odard [6]Odard Lord of DUTTON b: ABT 1046 in Cotentin Penninsula, Manche, Normandy, France (has children) Weber reports that Kay Allen, probably giving the "classic" view of Ivo's issue, states that Ivo was father of Nigel and alleged father of Odard. There are a lot of people that do not accept this due to a lack of evidence.[6]
  3. Edward Lord Hasewall , born Normandy 1048. Edard, Lord of Heswall and 3 others [2]
  4. [[Stockport-12} Waltheof Stockport]], born Stockport 1053.
  5. Wolfric Hatton, born Normandy 1054. Wolfrid, Lord of Hatton; [2]
  6. Wolfaith (St Sauveur) de Hatton, born Cheshire 1054. [4]Wolfaith de HATTON b: ABT 1054 in Cotentin Penninsula, Manche, Normandy, France (has children) Weber reports that Adrian Channing referred to Ivo as father of Wolfaith and ancestor of the FitzNigel family. [6]
  7. Hooswyne (Horswine) Shrigley, born Normandy 1055.
  8. Walmere de Hazelwall, born Hazelwall, 1057.

Name

  • Nigel (Baron Halton) [5]
  • Niel /Nigel de Cotentin, Lord of Halton, Constable of Chester [7]
  • Neel (Nigel) Constable of CHESTER , of Halton [6]
  • Nigel\Neel of /Halton/ [6]

Birth

He was born between 1030 and 1040 in Saint-Sauveur, Normandy. [7]

Nigel was born about 1043 in the Cotentin Peninsula, Manche, Normandy, France[6]

Parents

He was the son of Ivo de Sauveur (Viscomte Cotentin) and his wife Emme de Bretagne. [5] He has been detached from Emma Bretagne.

He was the son of Ivo / Yvron "Bellomontensis" de Contentin, [NOT de Beaumont or Vicomte de Cotentin][7]

Note from Geni curator Pam Wilson: After much research on this very speculative family's origins, I am placing William FitzNigel as the son of Nigel of Cotentin (*not* one of the Neel de Saint-Sauveurs, Vicomtes of the Cotentin, but a son of an Ivo de Cotentin who was a younger son of one of the Neels).[7]

He was the son of Ivo Vicomte de COTENTIN b: ABT 1023 in Cotentin Penninsula, Manche, Normandy, France[6]

His mother was Emma de BRITTANY b: ABT 1025 in Bretagne, France[6]

Siblings

In versions of the story which use the Progenies material explained by Tait, he was the supposedly brother of [7]

  1. Odard, 1st Lord of Dutton;
  2. Wolfrid, Lord of Hatton;
  3. Walter de Hatton, Lord de Hatton;
  4. Edard, Lord of Heswall;
  5. Horswyn Cannon Of Runcorn and 2 others

Marriage

His wife is not known.[5]

His wife is not known.[6]

Baron of Halton

Nigel of Cotentin, Baron 1071-1080. He was also the hereditary Constable of Chester.

Nigel was Baron of Halton. He built Halton Castle. He was the Senior Baron and Seneschal of the Earl of Chester, Hugh Lupus (d'Avranches).

Premier baron of the palatinate of Chester, cousin and marshall to Hugh de Abrincis upon whom William the Conqueror conferred the palatinate, To hold "ita libere ad gladium sicut ipse rex tenebat Angliam ad coronam". Nigel was also (in recompense for his bold and daring exploits) created Constable of Chester, then an officer of high rank, to whom was committed the command of all the soldiers, with the charge of the horses, armour, and other munitions in time of war.

He was Constable under Hugh Lupus, and possibly Earl later on.[6]

Nigel was named by Hugh Lupus, who upon being named Earl of Chester by William the Conqueror appointed a cabinet of sorts, as Baron of Halton in Cheshire and Constable of Chester. He was considered the highest-ranking among those in Hugh Lupus's baronial circle.[7]

The Barony of Halton

The Barony of Halton, in Cheshire, England, comprised a succession of 15 barons who held under the overlordship of the County Palatine of Chester ruled by the Earl of Chester. It was not therefore an English feudal barony which was under full royal jurisdiction, which is the usual sense of the term,[a] but a separate class of barony within a palatinate. After the Norman conquest, William the Conqueror created three earldoms to protect his border with Wales, namely Shrewsbury, Hereford and Chester. Hugh Lupus was appointed Earl of Chester and he appointed his cousin, Nigel of Cotentin, as the first Baron of Halton. Halton was a village in Cheshire which is now part of the town of Runcorn. At its centre is a rocky prominence on which was built Halton Castle, the seat of the Barons of Halton; the castle is now a ruin. [8]

'Precedence of Baronies'

…I will now proceed to trace as exactly as possible, in so remote and obscure a path, their priority or dignity among themselves, and the descent of their respective Baronies. [9]

Some think the Baron of Malpas to have been the prime Baron, inasmuch as Robert FitzHugh (who was Baron of Malpas, under Hugh Lupus, in the Conqueror's time) has for the most part the .priority in the writings of those ancient times, and also in the record of Domesday Book, where among all the Barons he is put down first. By this book also, it appears that Fitz-Hugh held more land in this county than any one of the others, except William Malbedeng[9]

— Admitting him, however, to have ranked first, till certain offices were annexed to the Baronies, the matter after that must he clear beyond all controversy, for William Fitz-Nigel of Halton, being made Constable of Cheshire in fee, his Barony took precedence in right of his office.

For further'"satisfaction" in proof of this point, Sir Peter Leychester cites a charter of Randal the Second, made in the reign of King Stephen, by which you find the words Optimates and Burones, explaining and elucidating each other, you also have pre-eminence given to the Constable of Chester who was also Baron of Halton) above all the other Barons of the Earl. This also appears by the form of all the charters made by the Earls of Chester, in those ancient times, where the stile runs thus, "Ranulphus Comes Cestriae, Constabulario, Dapifero, Baronibus, &c. salutem;" here we find the Constable first mentioned, then the Steward, and afterwards the Barons in general; and in this order they are ranked by Cambden and Spelman, viz.[9]

Nigel, First Baron Of Halton, was a cousin to Hugh Lupus, and was also made by him Constable of Chester, and Marshal of his forces, on condition that he should lead the van of his army, whenever he marched into Wales.[9]

— These great offices of Constable and Marshal were attached to the Barony, and enjoyed by his successors. [9]

1077 Battle of Rhuddlan

In 1077 he fought against the Welsh at the Battle of Rhuddlan. It is almost certain that he built a motte-and-bailey castle on Halton Hill the remains are still visual today. [8]

Death

He died about 1080 in Cheshire, England.[7]

Nigel died in 1092 in Halton Castle, Runcorn, Cheshire, England[6]

Issue

He was the father of

  1. John "Monoculus" FitzNigel[7] John MONOCULUS (Lord of Knaresboro)[5]
  2. [[FitzNigel-17|William FitzNigel, Lord of Halton, Constable of Chester [7]William (Cestrie) FITZNIGEL (B. Halton)[5] William FitzNigel, Baron (1080–1134)[8] William I FITZNEEL , of Halton,Constable Cheshire b: ABT 1058 in Cotentin Penninsula, Manche, Normandy, France (Has children)[6]

Sources

  1. James Tait (1939) "Foundation Charter of Runcorn Priory", Chetham Society, 100, internet archive
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Geni. Ivo Yvron de Contentin not Vicomte de Contentin Added by:Tompkins on March 30, 2007; Managed by: Margaret (C) and 76 others; Curated by: Angus Wood-Salomon. Accessed Sept 15 2018 jhd
  3. Charles Cawley. Foundation for Medieval Genealogy. Medieval Lands Database. Normandy, Avranches Néel (II) Vicomte de Cotentin Accessed Sept 19, 2018 jhd
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wikitree Data Field, Not Otherwise Sourced
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Jorge H. Castelli. Tudor Place. Eure Family Accessed Sept 15, 2018 jhd
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 Jim Weber. The Phillips, Weber, Kirk, & Staggs families of the Pacific Northwest Neel (Nigel) Constable of Chester. Cited some material from Kay Allen (25 Sep 1999) in Newsgroup: soc.genealogy.medieval, at groups - google.com. Updated June 11, 2015. Accessed Sept 16, 2018 jhd
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Geni. Niel Nigel de Contentin Lord of Halton Added by: Scott David Hibbard on July 5, 2008; Managed by: Pam Wilson, Curator-on-hiatus and 9 others; Curated by: Pam Wilson, Curator-on-hiatus; Accessed September 13, 2018 jhd
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Wikipedia: Halton_(barony) Accessed Sept 13, 2018 jhd
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 I.M. B. Pigot, History of the City of Chester. Published by T. Davidson, London, 1815. The Barons of Hugh Lupus pp. 19-20. Cited by Geni. Niel Nigel de Contentin Lord of Halton Added by: Scott David Hibbard on July 5, 2008; Managed by: Pam Wilson, Curator-on-hiatus and 9 others; Curated by: Pam Wilson, Curator-on-hiatus; Accessed September 13, 2018 jhd

See also:





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Comments: 2

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One option is to strip this profile down to a short article about Nigel, who we know nothing about, but then the profile would connect the two sons. I think the parents however should be disconnected. Anyone with a good reason not to please say so.
posted by Andrew Lancaster
More recent studies of the real family in France https://books.google.be/books?id=ckI5XFb4WhoC
posted by Andrew Lancaster

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