Beatrix (Gernon) de Gernon (1135)

Born 1135 in Chester, Cheshire, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in England

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Disambiguation

The following profiles can easily be confused:

• Beatrix Gernon de Meschines, born about 1140. Daughter of Earl Ranulf
• Beatrix de Meschines, born about 1170. Supposed daughter of Earl Hugh of Cyfeiliog but her existence is uncertain.

Biography

Birth and Parents

Peter Cotgreave refers to several sixteenth century manuscripts which identify Beatrix, the wife of Ralph ab Einion as a daughter of Earl Ranulf and sister of Earl Hugh Keveliock. ^[1]

The 1580 Visitation of Cheshire identifies Beatrix as "soror Hugonis Keveliock Co. Cestriae."^[2]

Major compilations do not share this placement of Beatrix as Earl Randolph's daughter. Charles Cawley shows Ranulf de Meschines with two sons, Hugh of Kevelioc and Richard, but he does NOT show a daughter Beatrix. ^[3] Douglas Richardson's profile on Maud of Glouceser and her husband Ranulf de Gernons shows two sons, Hugh and Richard, as well as in illegitimate son Richard FizCount but it does not show a daughter Beatrix. ^[4]

An 1880 article on Joyce Cherleton suggests that Beatrix was a natural daughter of Randulph Gernons, Earl of Chester. ^[5] Darrell Wolcott also identifies Beatrix as the natural daughter of Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester ^[6]

Given the above, Beatrix is shown as the daughter of Ranulf, but leaving her mother uncertain.

Also given the above, estimating dates is difficult. Wolcott estimates Beatrix' birth year as 1135. ^[6]

Marriage to Ralph ab Einion, Baron of Malpas

The 1580 Visitation shows Beatrix married to "Radulphus, Baro' de Mallpas. ^[2] Bartrum follows with the identification of Beatrix' husband as "Ralph, Baron of Malpas" ^[7] and Boyer presents Ralph as married to Beatrix of Chester, daughter of Ranulf and sister of Hugh of Cyfeiliog, Earl of Chester ^[8][9] Wolcott, too, shows Beatrix, daughter of Earl Ranulf II and brother of Earl Hugh Cyfeiliog (Hugh de Kevelioc), 5th Earl of Chester, married Ralph of Malpas ab Einion ap Dafydd ap Miles ap Gruffudd ap Owain. ^[6]

Cotgreave shows Beatrix, daughter of the Earl of Chester, married to Ralph ab Einion, known as the Baron of Malpas. Cotgreave concluded that "after fitzHugh's line had died out, the barony reverted to the earls of Chester. Gruffydd ab Owain obtained the manor of Malpas itself, and his descendent Ralph then acquired the title of baron after marrying a daughter of Ranulf II Earl of Chester. ^[10]

Issue

The oldest sources show significant discrepancies in identifying the children of Beatrix and Ralph. Cotgreave suggests that the most certain core is simply that there were two daughters who were co-heirs to Malpas: ^[11]

1. one unnamed daughter married William Belward
2. a unnamed second daughter married William Patric

It is quite possible that the daughter who married William Patric was named Beatrix. However, it is not clear whether the other daughter was Beannan or Margaret.

Cotgreave notes that Gruffydd ab Owain was a first cousin of the Prince of Gwynedd called Griffith ap Cynan, who was born in 1054. This allows a very rough estimate for the birth of Ralph ab Einion's daughters in 1150, a credible date for the mother of David the Clerk of Malpas and his brother (who were born between 1170 and 1190. ^[10]

Additional possible identifications of their children are presented under Research Notes.

Research Notes

Did Beatrix have a son David who married Constance?

Bartrum shows Ralph and Beatrix as the parents of a son David who married Constance ferch Owen Cyfeiliog. ^[7] Boyer follows suit. ^[8][12]

The Visitation, however, shows Constance as the wife of David the Bastard. ^[2]

Documenting the existence of David ap Rafe runs into other issues as well. Most importantly, Cotgreave's identification of Ralph and Beatrix' two daughters as the heiresses who divided the Malpas barony between Belwards and Patricks requires that there be no male heir. From this perspective, either David did not exist, died early and childless. ^[11]

Was one of Beatrix' daughters named Beannan?

Bartrum shows a daughter Beannan married to William le Belward, Baron of Malpas. ^[7] Boyer follows suit. ^[8]

Contradicting himself, Boyer follows the Visitation at another point, showing Beannan married to David, son of William le Belward. ^[13]

Was one of Beatrix' daughters named Margareta?

The Visitation shows "Margareta, filia et haeres", as the daughter of Beatrix, and shows Margareta married not to William Belward, but to William's son David le Clerk. ^[2] Boyer follows suit: Margaret ferch Ralph ab Einion married David, son of William Belward. ^[14]

The other coheir of the above Ralph ab Eignion was Margaret, the wife of Sir David le Clarke, son of William le Belward of Malpas by Tanglwst, seventh daughter of Hugh Keveilioc, Earl of Chester, by Gerturde, daughter of the Earl of Eureux. Sir Daiv le Clarke and Margaret his wife had issue, Sir Willaim de Malpas, Knight, and others. He was owner of a moiety of the barony of Malpas, and died without any legitimate issue; but by his mistress, Beatrix, sister of Roger de Montealto, he had three natural sons, of whom David le Clarke intruded himself into a moiety of the barony of Malpas. This Daiv married Constance, daughter of Owain Cyfeilioc, lord of Powis, and had issue, two coheirs, Beatrix and Idonea. ^[15]

Collins also shows Margaret, "daughter and heir of Ralph ap Eynion, by Beatrix, daughter of Ranulph, the second of that name, Earl of Chester. She married David de Malpas, called le Clerc, from being Secretary to the Earl of Chester; he was Justice of Chester and held three knights fees, temp Henry III.^[16]

The other co-heir of the above Ralph ab Einion was Margaret, the wife of Sir David le Clarke, son of William le Belward of Malpas (gu. three pheons, point downwards, arg.), by Tanglwst, seventh daughter of Hugh Keveilioc, Earl of Chester (az. six garbs, three, two, and one, or) by Gertrude, daughter of the Earl of Eureux (per pale indented arg. and gu.). ^[15]

Sir David le Clarke and Margaret his wife had issue, Sir William de Malpas, Knight, and others. He was owner of a moiety of the barony of Malpas, and died without any legitimate issue; but by his mistress, Beatrix, sister of Roger de Montealtyo, he had three natural sons, of whom David le Clarke intruded himself into a moiety of the barony of Malpas (he bore arg. a cross flory az; arms very similar to those subsequently borne by the family of Offley); and having married Constance, daughter of Owain Cyfeilioc, lord of Powys (or a lion's gamb. erased gu.) had issue, two coheirs, Beatrix and Idonea; the former of whom was wife of William Patrick, and mother of Isabel, wife of Richard de Sutton, jure uxoris lord of Half the barony of Malpas, etc. ^[15]

Did Beatrix have a daughter Beatrix who married William Patric?

An Archaeological Cambrensis article shows Beatrix as daughter and coheir of Ralph ab Einion, Baron of Malpas. ^[15]

Harleian MS 2119 says that Beatrice married William Patrick of Malpas and had issue, a daughter and heiress, Isabel, wife of Richard Sutton. ^[15]

The Cherleton article states that "William Patrick was son of Robert Patrick, heir to a moiety of the barony of Malpas, jure matris, son of Robert Patrick by Beatrix, daughter and coheir of Ralph ab Einion, Baron of Malpas (arg. three lioncels regardant in pale gu., armed azure.) ^[15]

Suttons

Richard de Sutton, connected himself with Wales and Cheshire by his marriage with isabel, daughter of heir of William patrick of Malpas by Beatrice, daughter and coheir of David le Clarke.

This Beatrice married, secondly, Rhodri, son of Gruffudd ab llewelyn, Prince of Wales. She is called in Harl. MS 1977, Bewtrice, daughter and coheir of David Bruerton (or Clarke)_, Baron of Malpas. The modern Peerages...make Isabel the wife of Richard de Sutton, daughter and heir of Prince Rhodri ab Gruffudd...

Harleian MS 1977 gives the descendants of Prince Rhodri ab Gruffydd by Bewtrice, daughter and coheir of David Bruerton, als Clarke, Baron of Malpas, as Thomas (who rebelled temp. Edward III), father of Gwenhoyn Goch, who died young, and diverse daughters' and on the other hand, Harlein Ms 2119 says that Beatrice married William Patrick of Malpas, and had issue, a daughter and heiress, Isabel, wife of Richard Sutton.

A beautifully emblazoned pedigree of the Egerton family, kindly lent to the writer by Sir Philip de Grey Egerton of Oulton, Bart., and of the date 1650, distinctly states that Beatric, daughter and coheir of David le Clarke, married first, William Patrick, by whom she had issue, a daughter and heir, Isabel, wife of Richard de Sutton; and secondly, Rodricke, son of Griffith ab Llewelynm Prince of Wales, and had issue also by him.

Ancestry of Beatrix of Chester

1. Anschitil de BAYEUX was born 992 in Bayeux, Calvados, France.
2. Ranulph I de BAYEUX was born 1017 in Bayeux, Calvados, France. He married Alice of NORMANDY on 1049 in was born 1021 in , Normandie, France. She married Ranulph I de BAYEUX on 1049 in Bayeux, Calvados, France. They were the parents of Ranulph II de BAYEUX Vicomte de Bayeux was born 1050 and died 1129.
3. Ranulph II de BAYEUX Vicomte de Bayeux was born 1050 in Bayeux, Calvados, France. He died 1129 in Bayeux, Calvados, France. Ranulph married Margaret d' AVRANCHES on 1074 in Bayeux, Calvados, F [Parents] 1, 2, 3, 4 was born 1054 in Avranches, Manche, Basse-Normandie, France. She married Ranulph II de BAYEUX Vicomte de Bayeux on 1074 in Bayeux, Calvados, France.They had the following children: (a) Ranulph III le MESCHIN Earl of Chester was born 1075 and died 27 Jan 1129. (b) N.N. de BAYEUX was born 1077. (c) Hugh de BAYEUX was born 1081 in Bayeux, Calvados, France. (d) William le MESCHIN Lord of Copeland was born 1090 and died 1130.
4. Ranulph III le MESCHIN Earl of Chester was born 1075 in Bayeux, Calvados, France. He died 11 27 Jan 1129 in Chester, Cheshire, England. Ranulph married Lucy Countess of Chester on 1098 in Gernon Castle, Normandie, France.Lucy Countess of Chester was born 1069 in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England. She died 1138 in Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire, England. Lucy married Ranulph III le MESCHIN Earl of Chester on 1098 in Gernon Castle, Normandie, France. Other marriages: TAILLEBOIS, Ivo ROUMARE, Roger de They had the following children: (a) Adeliza la MESCHIN was born 1099. (b) Ranulph IV de GERNON Earl of Chester was born 1101 and died 16 Dec 1153. (c) William le MESCHIN 1 was born 1103 in Gernon Castle, Normandie, France.
5. Ranulph IV de GERNON Earl of Chester was born 1101 in Gernon Castle, Normandie, France. He died 16 Dec 1153 in Chester, Cheshire, England. Ranulph married Maud de CAEN Countess of Chester on 1139 in Chester, Cheshire, England. Maud de CAEN Countess of Chester was born 1120 in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England. She died 29 Jul 1189 in Chester, Cheshire, England. Maud married Ranulph IV de GERNON Earl of Chester on 1139 in Chester, Cheshire, England. They had the following children: Beatrix of CHESTER was born 1140 (b) Hugh of KEVELIOC Earl of Chester was born 1146 and died 30 Jun 1181.

Sources

1. ↑ Cotgreave, 24
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Visitation of Cheshire, 159
3. ↑ Charles Cawley. Foundation for Medieval Genealogy. Medieval Lands Database. Ranulf Meschines Accessed June 24, 2018.
4. ↑ Douglas Richardson. Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families. By the author: Salt Lake City, Utah, 2013. Volume II, page 148
5. ↑ Archaeologia Cambrensis: Notes on Joyce Cherelton and Her Descendants, p. 61, retrieved 2014-05-28.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Darrell Wolcott. Ancient Wales Studies. The Malpas family in Cheshire
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Huws, Bleddyn, Williams, Gruffydd Aled, Sims-Williams, Patrick, Gruffudd, Gwen Angharad, Price, Iwan Tudor, Q, Claire Elizabeth (editors). Bartrum Genealogical Project. (Aberystwyth: Prifysgol Aberystwyth / Aberystwyth University, 2020.) Copy on geni.com. Pedigree Malpas. Accessed 5 September 2023.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} Carl Boyer, 3rd. Medieval Welsh Ancestors of Certain Americans. Generally Follows Bartrum. Santa Clarita, California, 2004. Section on Malpas. Ralph is #6 on page 246
9. ↑ Carl Boyer 3rd. Medieval English Ancestors of Certain Americans By the author: Santa Clarita, California, 2001. Beatrix is shown as the daughter of Ranulph de Gernon, #6 on page 49.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Cotgreave, 21
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Cotgreave, 27
12. ↑ Carl Boyer, 3rd. Medieval Welsh Ancestors of Certain Americans. By the author: Santa Clarita, California, 2004. Owain Cyfeiliog is #35 on page 17
13. ↑ Carl Boyer 3rd, Medieval English Ancestors of Certain Americans. By the author: Santa Clarita, California, 2001. William le Belward is #3 on page 144.
14. ↑ Boyer, page 71
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5} Notes on Joyce Cherleton and her Descendants Archaeologia Cambrensis] (Google eBook). Cambrian Archaeological Association, Wales, 1880; page 60
16. ↑ Arthur Collins. Collins's Peerage of England: Genealogical, Biographical and Historical. Greatly Augmented, and continued to the Present Time, by Sir Egerton Brydges, K. J. In Nine Volumes. London: 1812.Egerton, Earl of Wilton], Volume 5. page 528 ff Accessed November 6, 2018.

• Cotgreave, Peter. The barony of Malpas in the twelfth century. Transactions, Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 2008, 157.2. pp. 1-32.
• Visitation of Cheshire, 1580. Malpas, Barons of Malpas page 159