Maldred de Middleton
was the grandfather of WILIAM MEDECALFE DE DENT and for that reason the forefather of David Walker's grandmother, Jane Metcalfe.
MALDRED (Meldred) DE MIDDLETON was the eldest son of DOLFIN OF STAINDROP, LORD OF RABY and Adelica, a niece of Bishop Ranulf Flambard of Durham, who was an influential government minister of King William Rufus of England (fl. 1087-1100) and appears to have played an important part in the compilation of the Domesday survey.
MALDRED DE MIDDLETON was born latest by c. 1100, in doubt not much later, because he witnessed with his father a charter made by Geoffrey Rufus, Bishop of Durham in the period 1133-1141 (Calendar of the Durham Cathedral Muniments) and it seems to be that WILLIAM FILS MALDRED, one of his younger sons, was born latest by c. 1125.
MALDRED DE MIDDLETON was married to Joan DE STUTEVILLE, a sister and coheir of Roger de Stuteville, son of JOHN DE STUTEVILLE OF LONG LAWFORD co. Warwickshire.
MALDRED DE MIDDLETON, Lord of Raby and Joan DE STUTEVILLE had children:
(1.1) Robert de Middleton, Lord of Raby married to Isabell Neville; progenitor of the House of Neville
(1.2) WILLIAM FILS MALDRED de Middleton, Carleton and Dent married to a LADY OUT OF THE HOUSE OF TAILLEBOIS being the parents of WILLIAM MEDECALFE DE DENT
(1.3) Ralph de Middleton, chamberlain of Earl Conan of Richmond, Duke of Brittany in the period 1158-1171 or 1184.
NOTE: As chamberlain he witnessed several charters of Earl Conan's charters in England in Brittany in the period 1158-1171. He may perhaps also witnessed a charter of duke Geoffrey in favour of Kirkstead abbey, issued in Winchester in the period 1171-1184. But Ralph son of Meldred witnessed a charter of Lisiard de Musters without official description in the period 1184-1189.
(1.4) Adam de Middleton
NOTE: [1148] Gift in free alms --- "William de Perci [Percy] 2. Church of St. Mary and Abbot Benedict and the monks of the abbey of Monte St. Andrew Sallaie Grant to the abbey, which he himself had constructed, of Sellaia, Dudeland, Elfwinestorp, Crochum and all services in Stainthune Witnesses who heard and agreed this charter: ... Adam son of Meldred and many others."
(1.5) John de Middleton
NOTE: W. A. Littledale is giving in 'The Antiquaries Journal', 1922 as their children: Robert, William, Richard (Remark: perhaps the same as Ralph?), John and Gilbert. However Gilbert was not an offspring of Maldred de Middleton, but Joan de Stuteville's son out of her second marriage to Gilbert Hansard of Walworth and High Worsall.
(1.5) n.n. Daughter
NOTE: The Metcalfe Society refers to Swain de Staveley as "brother" and to his son, Thomas as "nephew" of WILLIAM FILS MALDRED encouraging his brother to build a stronghold at Clapdale and leasing in conjunction with his brother and nephew lands in Deepdale near Barnard Castle and in the ancient parish Romaldkirk. Provided that there was indeed such a close relation to the Staveley family, then Swain could have been only "brother"(-in-law) of William fils Maldred as Swain was most likely not an offspring of DOLFIN OF STAINDROP, LORD OF RABY, but rather of Dolfin of Appletreewick, son of Gospatric fils Arkyll and a daughter of Dolfin, son of Thorfinn.
According to the Curia Regis Rolls Maldred fitz Dolfin became hisself a tenant and Lord of the king for Raby in Northumberland latest by his father's death., most probably c. 1180.
In 1183, the Boldon Book of the Bishop of Durham mentioned Meldred as one of the principal landowners of Lanchester, county Durham. "In Langchestre are forty-one oxgangs, each consisting of eight acres. Twenty tenants in villenage pay for each of these oxgangs thirty pence, and with the help of the cottagers mow the whole of the meadows, and win and lead the hay, and bring the hogs from the forest ; and whilst they mow they have a corrody; and when they drive the swine each has one loaf. Four cottagers hold eight acres, 4s." Meldred held there with Ulkil forty acres by similar tenure, pay 12s. 6d. rent, and serve on messages. From later charters recording gifts made by his son, Robert, to the bishopric of Durham it is clear that the family's estates were situated in the southwest of Durham, the area of Raby forming its centre.
He held land at Stella near Winlaton and at Middleton (Tyas), which formed part of the Neville fee in the 14th century.
[1154-1157] Maldred and his brother, Patrick, witnessed a charter of Hugh of Le Puiset, Bishop of Durham informing Absalom, prior, and the convent of Durham that Ralph de Gaugy ('Calgi') has given the church of Ellingham in perpetual alms to the convent of Durham, saving the right and possession of the parson, Geoffrey, while he lives and wishes to hold the church.
At about the same time he and his brother, Robert, witnessed also a charter made by the same bishop granting and confirming Wingate with all its appurtenances to Hugh Burel and his heirs.
[1158] Earl Conan of Richmond, Duke of Brittany confirmed an agreement made by Maldred, his brother Gillomichael (Gilbert) de Middleton and Elsi de Kneeton with Fountain Abbey in respect of land in the moor of Middleton.
[c. 1163x1178] "Confirmation by 'Meldred son of Dolfin' and his heirs of the vills of Winston, Winlaton, Sunderland (Bridge) and Newsham, with a portion of forest, for twenty pounds a year and other free services, in exchange for quitclaim of Ricknall, 'Westbur', half of Blakiston, and any claim elsewhere in the bishop's forests or otherwise."
[1168] Maldred rendered account of half a mark in Yorkshire for a disseisin and he enlarged the church St Mary (photo) at Staindrop by adding low narrow aisles on each side of the nave, about 1180 following his father's death.
"Meldred de Middleton and Gyllmichael his brother lived in the 12th century. Meldred made grants in Middleton to St. Agatha's Abbey as did William his son, Thomas son of William and Richard son of Thomas." (William Page)
Meldred de Middleton died not later than 1195 succeeded by his son Robert, who paid 600 marks to acquire his father's lands, then.