WEDDINGTON CASTLE - An Online History

KEY PEOPLE: Count Meulan (1049 - 1118)

The first Count Meulan (otherwise known as Roger de Beaumont) was one of William's most favoured benefactors as well as being the most powerful seignior in Normandy. Sometimes the records in England show him as Robert, although this may be caused by a confusion between his son, Robert, and Roger who actually held the lands. Roger adopted the title Count of Meulan from Adelina, his wife's family.

Roger received from William ninety manors in Warwick, Leicester, Wiltshire and Northampton. There is dispute as to whether he, Roger, was actually at Hastings as he was old at the time, but records show that he contributed 60 ships to the invasion force. It is more likely that he was represented by the young Robert, his son, at the Battle of Hastings. By the taking of the Domesday survey, it was Robert who known as the Count of Meulan, having inherited the title in 1082 on his father's death. He also became a peer of France. He was also known as Roger de Beaumont, or simply Earl Roger, and became the 1st Earl of Warwick, and the Earl of Leicester.  Initially, although a very powerful magnate, he was only the custodian of the grants made to his father by Duke William until his father's death. By 1082 however, he had inherited all his father's estates in England and in Normandy. Count Meulan held a total of 57 manors in Warwick at the Domesday survey. His Chief domain in England was Sturminster Marshal in Dorset, whilst he shared with the King the great power in Warwickshire. His holdings were as follows:

Arlescote, Anstey, Avon Dassett, Barnacle, Bedworth, Bericote, Berkswell, Bourton on Dunsmore, Bulkington, Charlecote, Claverdon, Compton Verney, Fenny Compton, Frankton, Fulbrook, Hillmorton, Hodnell, Ilmington, Kington, Ladbroke, Lillington, Luddington, Marston Jabbett, Milverton, Moreton Morrell, Myton, Napton on the Hill, Newbold Comyn, Oversley, Preston Bagot, Roundhill, Seckington, Sherborn, Shilton, Shuckborough, Shuttington, Smercore, Snitterfield, Sole End, Tachbrook Mallory, Thurlsaston, Walton, Warmington, Weddington, Weston in Arden, Wibtoft, Willey, Wolford, Woodcote, Wormleighton, Dorsington,

Henry de Beaumont, his younger brother, later succeeded Count Meulan to the Earldom of Warwick.