Presidential Address: Feudal Society and the Family in Early Medieval England: I. The Revolution of 1066

Abstract

In 1152 King Stephen and his army began an unexpected siege of Newbury castle. The castellan, John fitz Gilbert, warned by his constable, was able to beguile the King and put the castle in a suitable state of defence. To achieve the necessary breathing space for this he surrendered a younger son, William, as a hostage. When his trickery was discovered the boy's life was at risk; it was proposed that he should be hanged or projected over the castle walls. Stephen sent messengers to John fitz Gilbert, threatening his execution. To them John gave the daunting reply that he was not particularly worried since he had the hammer and the anvil for forging even better sons. In fact the boy charmed King Stephen and survived to become Earl of Pembroke and regent of England. Whether the tale is anything more than a tall story it is impossible to say. At least it presents a problem. Family relationships mattered—or did they? In what ways and to what extent did they matter?