My lord Ferrers (10)

After the battle of Lewes, Simon de Montfort began to exclude Robert de Ferrers from his regime.

This may have been due to Robert’s absence from the battle, as well as pressure to reward those who were present. In addition, Robert had a large and warlike following, devoted to the earl, and he may have had his own ambitions. The Croxden chronicler remarked that:

‘So wise was he [Ferrers] in counsel that, had he not been led astray by one of his knights, he may in a short time have subjected a third of England to his command’.

Simon was also pursuing his own interest. Now he had Lord Edward in custody, he could aggrandise himself at the prince’s expense. To empower Ferrers, who may have proved an obstacle, made little sense. 

If Robert had any idea of what was coming, he showed no sign of it. He remained committed to the baronial cause, and in June helped Baldwin Wake to capture the royalist castle at Fotheringhay. A confusing order issued by Simon to Robert on 24 August seems to imply tension, but this was resolved by the autumn. 

In November Robert raised the whole of his power, a great host of knights and thousands of infantry, to confront a new threat on the border. Although Edward was in captivity, his allies Prince Dafydd and William de la Zouche were still at large. These two had raided Staffordshire in March, and now returned to threaten the lordship of Chester.

They found Robert standing in their way. When they saw the size of his army, the allies turned tail and fled. The men of Ferrers pursued, killing a hundred and capturing many more. According to the Dunstable chronicler, only one of Robert’s men was wounded. William de la Zouche was later taken and imprisoned at London. 

This campaign was part of Simon’s war effort against the Marchers. By winter 1264 they were in arms against his regime, and had seized castles from Bristol as far as Chester. Thanks to Robert, they were chased back over the border.

There is seldom any gratitude in politics. Even prior to the battle, in October, Simon set plans in motion to destroy his ally. 

Attached is the motte and site of Fotheringhay Castle in Northants, seen from across the River Nene.