Uctred fitzMaldred
was the father of DOLFIN OF STAINDROP, Lord of Raby, who was hisself the great-grandfather of WILLIAM MEDECALFE DE DENT, ancestor of David Walker's grandmother, Jane Metcalfe.
UCTRED fitzMALDRED was hisself a son of MALDRED OF WINLATON born most probably
c. 1060. He was a great Northern magnate and also known as 'Uchtred of Northumberland'.
Note: There are some online pedigrees stating that Uctred fitzMaldred was the son of MALDRED OF ALLERDALE. However this is rather unlikely as he died alongside his father, Crinan, in a rebellion against Macbeth between 1034 and 1045. That would mean that his assumed son, Uctred fitzMaldred had to be born beforehand, then. But as Uctred fitzMaldred died pretty certain at the 'Battle of the Standard' on Cowton Moor near Northallerton, Yorkshire, 22. Aug. 1138, he would have been about 100 years old at that time, which does not seem to be possible though.
1116-1119, UCTRED FITZMALDRED witnessed to Bishop Rannulf Flambard's enfeoffment of William fitz Rannulf.
Some online sources are suggesting that he might had been married to Alice, daughter of WILLIAM WALCHER, Bishop of Durham (fl. 1071-1080), but do not put any evidences at disposal concerning it. But provided that WILLIAM WALCHER was indeed the father-in-law of UCTRED FITZMALDRED, then he was the grandfather of DOLFIN OF STAINDROP, Lord of Raby.
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Walcher was a priest in Lotharingia from Liege and a secular clerk. He was invited by William I to fill the post of Bishop of Durham, and he was consecrated bishop in 1071 and probably enthroned on 3 April 1071. During the first part of his term as bishop, he was on friendly terms with Waltheof, earl of Northumbria, so much so that Waltheof sat with the clergy when Walcher held synods. After Waltheof rebelled and lost his earldom, Walcher was allowed to buy the earldom. Walcher planned to introduce monks into his cathedral chapter, and was remembered as encouraging monasticism in his diocese. Particularly, he was known as the patron of Aldwine, who attempted to re-establish monasticism at Whitby. Eventually, the group settled at Durham under Walcher's successor William de St-Calais. The medieval chronicler Symeon of Durham stated that Walcher had begun construction of monastic buildings at Durham as part of his plan to introduce monks into Durham.
One of Walcher's councellors was Ligulf of Lumley, who was connected by birth to the old Northumbrian line and was married to the daughter of Ealdred, Earl of Bernicia. Ligulf's presence in the bishop's council provided a link with the local aristocracy. There was a Scottish invasion in 1079, which Walcher was unable or unwilling to deal with effectively. The Scots, under Malcolm III, were able to plunder Northumberland for about three weeks unopposed before returning to Scotland with slaves and booty. Ligulf was very critical of Walcher's conduct. A feud ensued between Ligulf and two of Walcher's henchmen, his chaplain Leobwin and his kinsman Gilbert. Gilbert attacked Ligulf's hall in the middle of the night and Ligulf and most of his household were killed.
The Northumbrians were enraged at the murder of one of their leaders and there was a real threat of rebellion. In order to calm the situation Walcher agreed to travel from Durham and meet Ligulf's kinsmen at Gateshead. He travelled with at least one hundred retainers for safety. At Gateshead, he met Eadulf Rus the leader of the kinsmen and was presented with a petition of wrongs committed. Walcher rejected these and the enraged Northumbrians attacked the Norman party. Walcher and his men sought refuge in a nearby church but the Northumbrians set fire to it. Leobwin died in the blaze and when Walcher, Gilbert and the rest of his party were forced out by the flames they were killed on 14 May 1080 at Gateshead.
Walcher was a saintly man, but an incompetent leader. According to Symeon of Durham, Walcher's household knights were allowed to plunder and occasionally kill natives without punishment. He was considered a well-educated bishop, and had a reputation as a pious man. Symeon of Durham portrayed him as an honest, upright man who diligently performed his episcopal duties.
Following the killing of Walcher, the rebels attacked Walcher’s castle at Durham and besieged it for four days, before returning to their homes. The result of their rising and the killing of William’s appointed bishop, led William to send his half brother Odo of Bayeux with an army to harry the Northumbrian countryside. Many of the native nobility were driven into exile and the power of the Anglo-Saxon nobility in Northumbria was broken.
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Uctred fitzMaldred had children:
(1) DOLFIN OF STAINDROP
(2) Gospatri fitzUctred?
NOTE: "... Cospatric filius Uctred ..." witnessed inquisitions by "David … Cumbrensis regionis princeps", dated 1124, concerning land owned by the church of Glasgow.
(3) Uctred fitzUctred?
NOTE: [1130] "... gift by Uctred son of Uctred, Elviva his wife and Adam their son and heir to the Canons of Carlisle [Carl.] ..." (Cumbria Archive Centre, Carlisle); 'Uctred son of Uctred' was perhaps the father of 'Ulkil son of Uctred' mentioned [1175 x 1189] as grantor of a quitclaim of land in Upper Ayton, Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders.
Uctred fitzMaldred took part in the battle of Northallerton on behalf of King David I. and Empress Matilda. He died presumably at the 'Battle of the Standard' on Cowton Moor near Northallerton, Yorkshire, 22. Aug. 1138. ----- "At this time certain lawless persons, whose sole study and delight was to plan, and perpetrate crimes, banded themselves together in a detestable alliance, the more effectually to carry out their designs of mischief. The chiefs and leaders of this abominable fraternity were Edgar the illegitimate son of earl Cospatrick*, and Robert and Uctred, sons of Meldred. Urged, therefore, by rapacity, encouraged by impunity, and frenzied by passion, they overran Northumberland like wolves, seeking whom they might devour; and crossing the river Tyne, they came upon the territory of St. Cuthbert, but lighting upon nothing there which it was within their power or their daring to seize, they returned empty-handed. They then carried off all the booty they could obtain in a village of the parish of Hexham, called Herintun (Errington). Two nights after these same robbers attacked another village called Digentun (Denton)*. This village was the property of the canons of the church aforesaid, and was distant eight miles east of Hexham. Having slain three of the canons’ servants, and heaped many insults on their prior, who had happened to arrive unexpectedly that night, they marched off with their spoil. This mischance befell these canons contrary to their expectation, in as much as the king of Scotland had promised, as well for himself as for all his followers, (as was before said,) the most absolute security to them, their vassals, their effects, their parish, and expressly this very village."
* NOTE: Earl Gospatric II of Dunbar, described as "the chief leader of the men of Lothian" was also killed at the Battle of the Standard, being "struck by an arrow, he fell". He was the 1st cousin of Uctred fitzMaldred.
The battle of Northallerton, better known as the 'Battle of the Standard', was the first major engagement between English and Scots since the Norman Conquest. It was one of just two major battles during the Civil War of Stephen of Blois (1092-1154) and his 1st cousin, Empress Matilda (1102-1167), daughter of King Henry I. Stephen was the son of Henry I.'s sister, Adela of Normandy having been both children of William the Conqueror (1028-1087).
In January 1138, King David I of Scotland invaded England in support of his niece's, Empress Matilda, claim to the English throne. The daughter of King Henry I, Matilda had been blocked from taking power upon her father's death in 1135 by King Stephen and numerous other nobles. As a result, a civil war began in England between the forces of Matilda and Stephen. Invading in 1136, David had secured Cumberland for Scotland. Returning the next year, David agreed to a truce with Stephen after a brief campaign. That November, with the truce expiring, David demanded the whole of Northumberland.
Refused in this request, David began mobilizing his army and crossed the border in January 1138. As Stephen was in the south campaigning, David initially met little opposition and seized Norham Castle and laid siege to Wark Castle. Pushing south, the Scottish army demanded tribute from various towns and abbeys to prevent their destruction. On June 10, a Scottish detachment led by William fitzDuncan (Remark: son of Uctred's 1st cousin, Ethelreda / Octreda / Uhtreda, who was married to Duncan II., King of Scotland) defeated an English force at the Battle of Clitheroe in Lancashire. Crossing the Tyne in July, David entered Northumberland and took possession of Alnwick Castle.
With the Scots wreaking havoc across northern England, the nobles of Yorkshire gathered in York to discuss the situation. Though mistrustful of each other, they were unified and rallied by the elderly Archbishop Thurstan of York. Led by William of Aumale, they agreed to return with their forces in preparation for facing David's army. While troops gathered, Robert de Brus (ancestor of King Robert the Bruce) and Bernard de Balliol were dispatched as peace emissaries to David's army which was near the River Tees. A friend and vassal of David, de Brus was rebuffed and renounced his homage to the Scottish king.
As the Scottish army continued moving south, the English departed York and assumed a defensive position along the Great Northern Road near Northallerton. Positioned on a low ridge, they placed their armored men and knights to the front with archers and lightly armed levies to the rear. In the center stood a cart with a mast holding a pyx and the consecrated banners of York, Ripon, and Beverley. Approaching the English position early on August 22, David sought to take them by surprise by utilizing a heavy mist which covered the field. Preparing for battle, the Scots formed into four lines.
At this point an argument appears to have broken out among the Scottish commanders. While David intended to attack first with his knights and armored troops, his Galwegian contingent, who had been key at Clitheroe, insisted on leading the advance. Though he initially demurred as the Galwegians were lightly armored spearmen, he ultimately relented and allowed them to open the battle. Surging forward, the Galwegians took heavy losses as the English archers opened fire. Reaching the enemy lines, they were repulsed by their more heavily armored adversaries.
Though the Scottish foot did exert pressure on the English, they were unable to achieve any meaningful breakthroughs. With his infantry beginning to melt away, David, who wished to continue the fight, was encouraged to fall back by his friends. Around this time, his son Henry led the Scottish knights on a mounted charge against the English. Though they punched a hole in the English line, no Scottish infantry moved to exploit the breach. By mid-morning, the Scottish army was departing the field in disarray. While the English did not attempt a pursuit, troops did kill numerous Scots that were fleeing from the area.
While casualties for the battle are not known with precision, sources indicate that English losses were light while the Scottish army may have been reduced by as many as 12,000. Falling back to Carlisle Castle, David reorganized his forces. Though defeated in battle, he still possessed the largest force in the region as the English victors had released their levies. Moving to consolidate his hold on Cumberland and Northumberland, David was approached by Cardinal Alberic, Bishop of Ostia in September. Agreeing to cease offensive operations, David entered into peace negotiations with Stephen.
In the resulting peace agreement which was concluded in April 1139, Henry was given the earldom of Northumberland while his father was permitted to retain Carlisle and Cumberland. In exchange, David was to cease military operations against Stephen. These territories remained under Scottish control until 1157 when young King Malcolm IV was compelled to return them by King Henry II." (Text: 'The Anarchy: Battle of the Standard' by Kennedy Hickman, Military History Expert)