The de Mandeville Family

The 11th Century Geoffrey de Mandeville

The Wikipedia/Wikiwand pages for this Geoffrey indicate that de Mandeville was a contemporary to William the Conqueror. He died in 1100 and was the first Constable of the Tower of London. The Tower was a newly built castle.

His son, William, inherited his lands and was also Constable of the Tower. William was charged with the imprisonment of Ranulf Flambard. His son, William was implicated in the escape of Flambard from the Tower.

Geoffrey, William's son, was very active during The Anarchy. This Geoffery, d. 1144, was my first interest in this history as he was married to Rohse de Vere and was given Belchamp Walter as a dowry.

Geoffrey aligned himself with King Stephen and the Empress Matilda and died rather ignomignously and ended up interred in Temple Church along with William Marshall.

Ranulf Flambard

Ranulf Flambard is thought to have been the chief administrator of the Domesday Survey, in fact he could have been its instigator.

He served William Rufus after the Conquerors death but was imprisoned by Henry I on Rufus's death. His escape from the Tower was under William de Mandeville (d. 1120) in 1101. He then went into exile with Robert Curthose.

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The Tower of London - Constable of the Tower

When William built the White Tower on the bank of the river Thames in London he installed Geoffrey de Mandeville as constable.

The office of Constable of the Tower is one of the oldest in England, dating back to within a few years of the Norman Conquest, and has always been one of great honour and dignity. In the past, this appointment has been held by eminent prelates of the Church, prominent politicians and distinguished soldiers. The first Constable, Geoffrey de Mandeville was appointed by William the Conqueror (AD 1066–87) in the 11th century. Formerly, in the absence of the Sovereign, the Constable would have been among the most powerful men in London. Today the Constable retains the right of direct access to the Sovereign. Since 1784 the Constable has always been a senior military officer.

The Norman bishop Ranulf Flambard was one of the first prisoners and on his escape Willima de Mandeville, Geoffrey's son and inheritor of the constableship, was held somewhat responsible.

During the medieval period the Constable ran the Tower, which included building maintenance, soldiers' pay and, as the Royal menagerie was housed in the Tower, supervision of the 'Keeper of the King's Animals'. He was also ultimately responsible for the prisoners kept there. The first known prisoner was the Norman bishop Ranulf Flambard in 1100, and the London gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray were the last official prisoners, for a few days in 1952, for refusing to do their National Service. They were sent to the Tower as it was the barracks of the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) to which they had been assigned.

William de Mandeville - Constable of the Tower - 1100-1103

Geoffrey, d 1144 - and his part in the Anarchy

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The de Mandeville Family

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