Seige of Nottingham Castle with Fulcher Grendon & Henry Russell

Date: 1194 [unknown]
Location: England
Surname/tag: Russells also connected to Grendon

The Siege of Nottingham Castle by John in 1194 Essentially, John wanted the castles which he had not received with their honors, such as Nottingham. The last years of King Henry II’s reign were troubled by fierce family squabbles between him and his sons, Henry, Richard, Geoffrey and John. When King Richard left on the Crusade, his brother John decided to claim Nottingham Castle.

Serlo de Grendon also had a son name Fouchier (Fulcher) who helped break up the siege of Nottingham Castle by John when King Richard was away at the Crusades.. Richard, Arriving finally at the scene had these events:

the besieged] sent a knight, Sir Fouchier de Grendon, and Henry Russell with him. They both came to the king; they were both in the king’s presence. They looked at him closely and knew him from his bearing and from his face. ‘Am I him? What do you think?’, said the king. They said, ‘Yes.’ ‘You may go back freely’, he said. ‘That is right; do the best that you can’. They took leave and went away and reported what they had found.

Fulcher de Grendon was a local man but of little consequence, a younger son of Serlo I de Grendon, lord of Bradley and Sturston in Derbyshire.(39) His father, and brother William, had extensive connections locally but it is difficult to understand how Fulcher would have personally recognised King Richard. Nevertheless their report was accepted by the besieged and there is no reason to doubt the veracity of the Histoire as to their names. Indeed, as two named nonentities its accuracy is vindicated.

Those besieging Nottingham Castle considered their situation and surrendered themselves to the king’s mercy; they were wise [for] they greatly reduced their penal in this way. King Richard had captured the castle [and] this was very pleasing to all his men”.(37) This episode from the Histoire accords extremely well with Howden’s version. Two men were sent out by the besieged to inspect the king’s person to determine if it was Richard and the Histoire names the two men. Now the besieged had little choice but to surrender. After being apprised of the news, to continue their defiance of the king would be foolish given the king’s renowned military skill and consummate ability in reducing castles. They risked being attainted as traitors, losing their lives and having their families disinherited; no quarter would have been given once Richard had entered the castle by storm.