Nigel of Cotentin :(c. 1071–1080) Nigel was the hereditary
Constable of Chester. 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.
William fitz Nigel :(1080–1134) William fitz Nigel, Nigel's son, was also
marshal of the Earls' host, which was an important position in the
Norman military hierarchy. In addition to his land in Halton, his estate included land in other parts of Cheshire and also in
Normandy. He married the eldest daughter of Yorfid, on whose death without a male heir the
Lancashire manors of Widnes, Appleton,
Cronton and
Rainhill came to his son-in-law, William. In 1115 William established a
priory of the
Augustinian Order of
Canons Regular in
Runcorn. He was buried at Chester.
William fitz William :(1134–1150) William, son of William fitz Nigel, in 1134 he moved the priory from Runcorn to a site to the east of Halton. This became
Norton Priory. William died childless in Normandy.
Eustace fitz John :(1150–1157) Eustace fitz John succeeded to Halton as husband of the elder sister of William fitz William. He had inherited the barony of
Knaresborough and by an earlier marriage had also gained the baronies of
Malton and
Alnwick. He was killed fighting the Welsh.
Richard fitz Eustace :(1157–1171) Richard, son of Eustace fitz John, married the eventual heiress to the
de Lacy family of
Pontefract, whose inheritance was eventually acquired by their grandson Roger.
John fitz Richard :(1171–1190) John, son of Richard fitz Eustace, was a
governor in
Ireland for
Henry II. Being a patron of science, he maintained an
astronomer at Halton Castle. He founded a
Cistercian monastery at
Stanlow. In 1190 he granted the second known
charter for a
ferry at Runcorn Gap. He served with
Richard I in the
Third Crusade and died at the siege of
Acre.
Roger de Lacy :(1190–1211) Born as Roger fitz John, the son of John fitz Richard, he adopted the surname of de Lacy. He was a renowned soldier and was nicknamed "Hell" Lacy for his military daring. In 1192 he was also serving with Richard I in the Third Crusade. Later he served
King John in the unsuccessful attempt to thwart the French conquest of Normandy following which he was made
High Sheriff of Lancashire. He was buried in the abbey founded by his father at Stanlow.
John de Lacy :(1211–1240) John de Lacy, son of Roger, opposed King John and was one of the barons entrusted with the duty of ensuring that the king kept the agreements made in
Magna Carta. By marriage he gained more titles, including that of the Earldom of
Lincoln. He also gained the
manor and the castle of
Bolingbroke. He was also buried at Stanlow.
Edmund de Lacy :(1240–1258) Of Edmund de Lacy, son of John, little is known except that he was also buried at Stanlow.
Henry de Lacy :(1258–1311) Henry de Lacy, son of Edmund, was educated at court and became Chief Councillor to
Edward I. While the king was engaged on military conflicts with the
Scots, Henry was appointed
Protector of the Realm. He transferred the monastery from Stanlow to
Whalley. He died at his
London home,
Lincoln's Inn and was buried in the old
St Paul's Cathedral.
Thomas, Earl of Lancaster :(1311–1322)
Thomas gained the barony of Halton though his marriage to Alice, Henry's daughter. He took up arms against
Edward II in 1322. However this rebellion was unsuccessful. He was defeated at the
Battle of Boroughbridge and then imprisoned in his own castle at
Pontefract. A few days later he was beheaded outside the city and his titles forfeited to the Crown. Later a cult of
martyrdom developed around him.
Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster or Sir William Glinton :(1322–1351) Thomas was posthumously pardoned by
Edward III and in 1327, Thomas's titles were restored to his brother,
Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster. It has also been suggested that the title succeeded to Sir William Glinton. He was a distinguished
knight who may have held the honour as a non-hereditary arrangement or he may have held it during the life of Alice, widow of Thomas of Lancaster.
Henry Grosmont :(1351–1361)
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, nephew of the 2nd Earl and son of the 3rd, next succeeded to the barony of Halton. He was appointed as the 1st
Duke of
Lancaster, one of the first Knights of the
Order of the Garter. He served the king in
France and died of the
plague. He was buried at
Leicester.
John of Gaunt :(1361–1399)
John of Gaunt gained the barony by his marriage to
Blanche, daughter and heiress of the 13th baron. He was appointed
regent during the infancy of
Richard II. He was also buried in St Paul's Cathedral.
Henry Bolingbroke :(1399–1413) Henry Bolingbroke was the eldest son of John of Gaunt. He was banished from England by Richard II and at the time of his father's death he was in
exile in France. When he returned to England to claim his estates the people rallied round him. Richard II was deposed and Henry was crowned
King Henry IV. Henry procured an Act of Parliament to ordain that the
Duchy of Lancaster would remain in the personal possession of the reigning monarch and the barony of Halton is now vested in that dukedom. ==Notes==