Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameRanulph “de Gernons” de Meschines , 2nd Earl of Chester 
Birth1099, Gernon Castle, Normandy, France
Death16 Dec 1153
FatherRanulph “de Briquessart” de Meschines , 1st Earl of Chester (~1074-1128)
MotherCountess Lucy (~1065-~1136)
Misc. Notes
Ranulf II, inherited his palatine earldom of Cheshire in 1128, upon the death of his father.
In 1131 Ranulf founded the North Welsh Cistercian Abbey, which was colonised by monks from the Norman house called Savigny.
Ranulph de Meschines (surnamed de Gernons, from being born in Gernon Castle, in Normandy), Viscount Bayeaux, was a leading military character. In 1139, King Stephen made Henry the son of King David of Scotland Earl of Northumberland and gave him Carlisle and Cumberland. This so incensed Ranulph that he took up arms against King Stephen along with the Empress Maud, and the young Prince Henry.
In alliance with his father-in-law Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the king was defeated made prisoner at the battle of Lincoln on Candlemas day 1141. They committed him to the castle of Bristol where he remained until 1143.
Ranulph subsequently however changed sides and fought with the King. This rebounded on him and finally, distrusted by all, he died under excommunication on 16 Dec 1153. It is suspected that he was poisoned by William Peverell, Lord of Nottingham, who, in turn is said to have turned monk in order to avoid punishment. His body was interred at St Werburgh Abbey in Chester (now Chester Cathedral).
In 1141, the earl married Maude, daughter of Robert, surnamed the Consul, Earl of Gloucester, natural son of King Henry I. They had three children : Hugh , Richard and Beatrix. Maude survived him and died on 29 July 1189
In 1131 Ranulf founded the North Welsh Cistercian Abbey, which was colonised by monks from the Norman house called Savigny.
Ranulph de Meschines (surnamed de Gernons, from being born in Gernon Castle, in Normandy), Viscount Bayeaux, was a leading military character. In 1139, King Stephen made Henry the son of King David of Scotland Earl of Northumberland and gave him Carlisle and Cumberland. This so incensed Ranulph that he took up arms against King Stephen along with the Empress Maud, and the young Prince Henry.
In alliance with his father-in-law Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the king was defeated made prisoner at the battle of Lincoln on Candlemas day 1141. They committed him to the castle of Bristol where he remained until 1143.
Ranulph subsequently however changed sides and fought with the King. This rebounded on him and finally, distrusted by all, he died under excommunication on 16 Dec 1153. It is suspected that he was poisoned by William Peverell, Lord of Nottingham, who, in turn is said to have turned monk in order to avoid punishment. His body was interred at St Werburgh Abbey in Chester (now Chester Cathedral).
In 1141, the earl married Maude, daughter of Robert, surnamed the Consul, Earl of Gloucester, natural son of King Henry I. They had three children : Hugh , Richard and Beatrix. Maude survived him and died on 29 July 1189
Spouses
Birthabt 1120, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Death29 Jul 1189, Chester, Chestershire, England
FatherRobert “The Consul” de Caen , 1st Earl of Gloucester (~1090-1147)
MotherMabel FitzHammon of Gloucester (~1090-1157)
Marriage1141, Bristol, Gloucester, England
ChildrenHugh “de Keveliok” (1147-1181)