Sir Baldwin II de Freville

On 23rd March 1375, Sir Baldwin II de Freville died. To mark the 650th anniversary of his passing, we thought it was an opportune time to tell a brief history of this former owner of Middleton Hall.

Baldwin II was born on 15th August 1317 at Tamworth Castle and was the son of Sir Baldwin I de Freville and Elizabeth de Montfort. After his father’s death in 1343, Baldwin II inherited a third of Middleton. This was during the long and very complicated period of Middleton’s ownership when the manor, including even the Hall itself, had been divided between multiple heirs. On 1st February 1362, Baldwin II acquired the sixth of Middleton that had been inherited by Margaret de Ludlow (Dymoke). This took the de Freville share of Middleton to 50% and he retained possession of this share until his death.

Sir Baldwin de Freville (aka Clive Kelly) in front of the Stone Building at Middleton Hall, 2024. Photograph taken by Steve Davies.

Baldwin II married Ida de Clinton in about 1346 and soon after their marriage Baldwin’s share of Middleton was converted into a joint possession with Ida. She had been born at Maxstoke Castle, Warwickshire, and had also been a damsel-in-waiting to Queen Philippa of Hainault, King Edward III’s wife. When she left the Queen’s service, the Queen gave her a number of jewels. A letter, dated 15th April 1332, detailing these jewels is present in the Middleton Manuscripts and the oldest surviving inventory of Middleton, dated 20th July 1355, also appears to mention some of them.

Another key document from Baldwin II’s life that has been preserved in the Middleton Manuscripts, was a retainer between Edward, Prince of Wales, and Baldwin II, dated 8th August 1358. In the document, Baldwin II vowed for the remainder of his life to serve Prince Edward. He also promised to give the Prince £40 annually (about £20,082 today), the profits from his manor of Cheylesmore in Coventry, the rent from the priory of Coventry and stated that whenever the Prince went to war Baldwin would attend and bring his men. In 1364, Prince Edward appointed Baldwin II as the Seneschal of Xantoigne (Saintonge) in gratitude for his fidelity and service.

Like many of his ancestors, Baldwin II had a difficult relationship with the burgesses of Tamworth. On the 26th July 1348, Baldwin II named a number of men who he alleged had broken into his houses in Tamworth, carried away his goods, assaulted his men and servants, chasing them to Tamworth Castle, and then besieged him and them there to the extent that they were unable to procure victuals for some time.

However, the most dominant aspect of Baldwin II’s life was his involvement in the Hundred Years War. In the Edwardian War phase of the War, he is known to have fought in 1346 at Caen, the Battle of Crécy and the Siege of Calais. Some have suggested that Baldwin II also participated in the Gascoigne campaign of 1355. In the Caroline War phase, Baldwin II is known to have fought at Limoges in 1370 and was part of the relief force sent to La Rochelle in 1372.

Baldwin II returned to England shortly before his death and he died in Warwickshire. His son, Sir Baldwin III de Freville, then inherited his father’s half of Middleton.

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.90, 98, 465-6,

A. E. Stamp, J. B. W. Chapman, Cyril Flower, M. C. B. Dawes & L. C. Hector, "Inquisitions Post Mortem, Edward III, File 245", Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: Volume 14, Edward III, 1952, British History Online, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/inquis-post-mortem/vol14/pp129-143

Thomas Johnes, Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries, vol. 1, 1857.

Christine Smith, The Families of Early Tamworth, 1998.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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