John had paid a considerable ransom of between 1000m and 2000m to secure Gérard's freedom after he had been captured in the storming of Loches Castle in 1205, of which he was castellan.
The whole family of Gérard, including Engelard, were the only people to be condemned by name in Magna Carta, which was drawn up in 1215 during the baronial revolt of that year.
In it the king made a number of commitments to meet the barons' demands, of which Item 50 specifically promised that Gérard Athée and his whole family would henceforth be banned from office.
Engelard was duly relieved of his shrievalties in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, although another member of the proscribed group, Philip Marc, remained in his post as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire until 1222.
The previous Christmas the king had sent him a personal gift of wine as a tribute to a loyal and valued servant of the Crown.