Earl of Hereford

In 1055, Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia and Gruffydd ap Llywelyn invaded Herefordshire and Ralph met the Welsh army at Hereford.

Fearing defeat, Ralph fled with the French and Norman soldiers, causing the surrounding area to fall under Welsh control.

When the Count of Flanders died, his widow Richilde, Countess of Hainaut offered her hand in marriage to FitzOsbern for assistance against challenges to her power.

He rushed there with his army but was killed in the Battle of Cassel, leaving his son Roger de Breteuil as the new earl.

They raised an army but were prevented from crossing the River Severn by local bishops and defeated at Fagadune.

When the Conqueror returned, Roger was tried for treason before the Magnum Concilium and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment, while his soldiers had their right foot amputated.

In 1141, the Empress Maud granted the earldom to Miles FitzWalter, hereditary High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, for his faithful service during her claim to the crown.

In 1143, Miles FitzWalter demanded large sums from the Church while desperately short of money to pay his troops.

Roger inherited his father's roles as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Castellan of Gloucester Castle, and Constable of England.

Before 1172, he successfully claimed the title of Constable of England from the Gloucester family, consolidating his inherited powers.

Between 1171-1175, Humphrey married Margaret of Huntingdon, widow of Conan IV, Duke of Brittany and granddaughter of King David I of Scotland.

In 1200, King John elevated Henry's status by conferring the now-extinct title of Earl of Hereford, in the Peerage of England, upon him at Porchester.