John Maltravers - 1st Baron Maltravers
John Maltravers was an English Nobleman, soldier, politician, and Constable of many castles during the reigns of Edward II and Edward III.
John was born around 1290 in Woolcombe Maltravers, Dorset, England. He was the son of Sir John Maltravers and Eleanor de Gorges.
On May 12th, 1306, John was knighted alongside his father and the young Edward, Prince of Wales, who would one day become King Edward II.
Around 1313, John married Milicent de Berkeley, daughter of Maurice de Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley. John and Milicent had one child, John.
Serving in the English army, John marched to Scotland and lost at Bannockburn on June 24th, 1314, with Edward II. The Scots took Maltravers prisoner.
By 1318, Maltravers had returned to England, serving as knight of the shire for Dorset in Parliament.
Siding with the Barons during their rebellion against Edward II, John aligned with Thomas of Lancaster and Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. He attacked Bridgnorth and fought at the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322. After Thomas of Lancaster was executed at Pontefract, John fled overseas.
In 1326, John returned to England at the side of Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, thrusting himself into the heart of a daring rebellion against Edward II. Their bold campaign succeeded, and by April 3rd, 1327, John and Thomas de Berkeley were entrusted as keepers of the imprisoned king at Berkeley Castle. That same year, John reclaimed his lands and secured a grant from the Despenser estates. Rumors swirled about his severe treatment of Edward and subsequent ties to the King's demise, although modern historians cast doubt on his involvement.
Under the regime of Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, John Maltravers rose in influence. He served as a justice in eyre for forests and as keeper of the forests south of Trent while Edward III was a minor.
On September 24th, 1329, John was appointed Custodian of Corfe Castle, a significant royal castle. He also served as Custodian for Gloucester Castle and Carmarthen Castle.
Sometime before February of 1330, John married Agnes de Bereford, daughter of William de Bereford. This was her third marriage, and the couple had no children.
He also served as a steward of the royal household and accompanied young Edward III to France. On June 5th, 1330, he was summoned to Parliament as Baron Maltravers.
In 1330, Maltravers was implicated in the conspiracy that cost Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent and Edward III's uncle, his life. With Edward III's dramatic seizure of power from Isabella and Mortimer, Maltravers's fortunes crumbled. Condemned to death for his part in the Woodstock plot, he fled once more, seeking refuge in Flanders and Germany for many years.
During Edward III's time in France from 1345 to 47, Maltravers petitioned for a pardon for his service, which Edward granted.
John was appointed governor of the Channel Islands and re-founded the hospital of Bowes at St. Peter's Port in Guernsey in 1351. He performed diplomatic missions for Edward III and regained full restitution of his lands and title in 1352.
John Maltravers died on February 16th, 1365, in Lytchett Maltravers in Dorset, and was buried at St. Mary's Church in the same town. The Barony of Maltravers fell into abeyance after his death.
