My lord Ferrers (12)

After Robert’s arrest and imprisonment at the Tower, his men went looking for revenge. 

For instance, the man appointed to take control of Robert’s lands, Nicholas Hastings, was kidnapped ‘by certain evildoers’. These were almost certainly the earl’s followers, acting on his behalf. The kidnapping was followed by a spate of attacks on Montfortian agents across England.

Simon’s harsh treatment of Robert was arguably his worst mistake. Apart from alienating the men of Ferrers, it also drove Gilbert de Clare into the royalist camp. As the most powerful of the Marcher lords, Clare’s military strength would tip the scales against Simon in the Evesham campaign. 

Due to his imprisonment, Robert missed the battle. In the aftermath, Henry III declared that all lands held by rebels would be confiscated. This did not include Robert, who was released from prison and given a pardon. He was also protected against disinheritance upon payment of 1500 marks and a golden drinking cup.

Although he was not yet fully restored, Robert felt confident enough to join in the land-grab. The Winchester Inquisition shows that he and his bailiffs were roaming about Derbyshire by November, seizing land belonging to rebels. Everyone else, including Edward and Clare, was also filling their pockets: Clare in particular made a point of seizing the ‘Michaelmas rents’ owed by tenants to their lords. 

By December 1265 Robert been fully rehabilitated. He was forgiven for all previous trespasses committed against the king and Edward, including the throwing down of castles. To show willing, Edward put aside his enmity with Robert and confirmed the grant of the manor and church of Bingham to his old rival.

Thus, Robert had every opportunity to walk away from the rebellion and start afresh. He chose to do the opposite.