The First Earl Of Chester After The
Norman Conquest, Was Gherbod, A Fleming, Who, Having Obtained Leave
From King William
To go into Flanders for the purpose of arranging
some family concerns, was taken and detained a prisoner by his
Enemies; upon which the conqueror bestowed the earldom of Chester on
Hugh de Abrincis or of Avranches, "to hold as freely by the sword,
as the king himself did England by the crown."
{166} This church is at Llandyfrydog, a small village in Twrkelin
hundred, not far distant from Llanelian, and about three miles from
the Bay of Dulas. St. Tyvrydog, to whom it was dedicated, was one
of the sons of Arwystyl Glof, a saint who lived in the latter part
of the sixth century.
{167} Ynys Lenach, now known by the name of Priestholme Island,
bore also the title of Ynys Seiriol, from a saint who resided upon
it in the sixth century. It is also mentioned by Dugdale and
Pennant under the appellation of Insula Glannauch.
{168} Alberic de Veer, or Vere, came into England with William the
Conqueror, and as a reward for his military services, received very
extensive possessions and lands, particularly in the county of
Essex. Alberic, his eldest son, was great chamberlain of England in
the reign of king Henry I., and was killed A.D. 1140, in a popular
tumult at London. Henry de Essex married one of his daughters named
Adeliza. He enjoyed, by inheritance, the office of standard-bearer,
and behaved himself so unworthily in the military expedition which
king Henry undertook against Owen Gwynedd, prince of North Wales, in
the year 1157, by throwing down his ensign, and betaking himself to
flight, that he was challenged for this misdemeanor by Robert de
Mountford, and by him vanquished in single combat; whereby,
according to the laws of his country, his life was justly forfeited.
But the king interposing his royal mercy, spared it, but confiscated
his estates, ordering him to be shorn a monk, and placed in the
abbey of Reading.
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