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Valter GiffarAnglo-Norman aristocrat, 1st Earl of Buckingham (from 1093).
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
Early Life and Family
Walter Giffard II was born into an Anglo-Norman aristocratic family as the son of Gautier Giffard, a prominent Upper Norman baron and Lord of Longueville, and Ermengarde de Falaise. Walter's father played a significant role in the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, earning extensive landholdings in Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, and other central English counties from King William the Conqueror. Upon his father's death in 1085, these lands passed to Walter Giffard. Additionally, Walter inherited the Giffard family's estates in Normandy, centered around Longueville.
Title and Rebellion
In the Anglo-Norman baronial rebellion of 1088, Walter Giffard remained loyal to King William II. For his support, he was rewarded with the title of Earl of Buckingham in 1093. However, after William II's death in 1101, Walter Giffard switched his allegiance to the Duke of Normandy, Robert Curthose. He participated in a conspiracy with Robert Belleme and William de Warenne against the new King Henry I. Despite Henry I's ultimate victory in the struggle for the English throne, Walter Giffard, along with most other supporters of Robert Curthose, was pardoned and retained his lands and titles.
Marriage and Legacy
Walter Giffard was married to Agnes de Ribemont, the daughter (or possibly sister) of Anselm de Ribemont. According to the chronicler Orderic Vitalis, Agnes was romantically involved with Robert Curthose, the Duke of Normandy, and was rumored to have been implicated in the poisoning of his wife. Walter and Agnes had one son, Walter Giffard III (d. 1164), who succeeded his father as Earl of Buckingham. Little is known about Walter Giffard III except that he inherited the earldom as an infant, fought at the Battle of Bremule in 1119, and was married to a woman named Ermengarde, whose parentage is unknown. Upon the death of Walter Giffard II, the 2nd Earl of Buckingham, his lands reverted to the Crown, and the title of Earl of Buckingham became extinct.
