[4] William le Gros, chief of those gallant barons at the engagement; and in reward for the great valour displayed by him on that occasion was forthwith advanced to the earldom of Yorkshire. He was distinguished among the Anglo-Norman barons for his liberality towards the various religious orders, having founded a Cistercian abbey at Edenham, in Lincolnshire, and one at Meux in Yorkshire, not far from his castle of Skipsey; a monastery of black canons at Thornton-upon-Humber; and a hospital at Newton. He was also the founder of the castle of Scarborough. He died in 1179, leaving two daughters, his co-heirs. Hawyse, married first to William de Mandeville, earl of Essex, secondly to William de Fortibus; and Amicia, married to Eston.
[5] Robert de Brus, son of Robert who came over with the Conqueror, by Agnes his wife, daughter of Waltheg, earl of St. Clair. He had an interview with David, king of Scotland, before the battle, to endeavour to persuade him to desist. He was no less distinguished for piety than valour. He founded Guisborough priory; gave the church of Middlesborough to Whitby; and conferred on the abbey of St Mary, at York, his lordships of Appleton and Hornby. He died in 1141, and was buried at Guisborough; leaving issue, by Agnes his wife, Adam and Robert.
Adam de Brus, lord of Skelton, son and heir of the above, who fought by the side of his father in this engagement. Having adhered to king Stephen throughout his stormy and disastrous career, he incurred the displeasure of Henry II. who deprived him of his castle of Danby in Cleveland. He died in 1167, and was buried at Guisborough, leaving issue, by Ivetta, his wife, Adam, commonly called Adam the Second, and Agnes.
[6] Lord of Helmsley and Kirkham, and one of the principal commanders in this battle; and, although this is the only battle we find him engaged in, his address to the soldiers shows him a man of valour in defence of his country. He founded the abbey of Rievaulx and Kirkham; and died in 1153, and was buried in the abbey of Rievaulx, where two years before he had become a monk.
[7] Son of Nigel de Albini, who assumed the name of Mowbray. He was one of the commanders in this battle, though then in minority; and, adhering to king Stephen, was with him at the battle of Lincoln, and there taken prisoner. He was a benefactor to no fewer than thirty-five religious houses, and founded the abbey of Byland, and the priory of Newburgh, in the neighbourhood of his castle at Thirsk. So fervent was his devotion that he twice took upon him the cross, and made journeys to the Holy Land, and upon his return retired to the calm seclusion of Byland abbey, where he assumed the monastic habit, and ended his days; leaving, by his wife Alice de Gant, two sons, Nigel and Robert.
[8] Thurstan, the twenty-eighth archbishop of York, and who was at this period Lieutenant-Governor of the North, organized the troops that fought this famous battle, and had the command as far as Thirsk, at which place he resigned, on account of sickness, his authority to Ralph, bishop of Orkney, of whom little is known. The archbishop of York used to ordain bishops with the title of Orkney; but Torffæus is of opinion that they were merely titulars, to give greater show of authority to the see of York; and he is positive that this bishop did never reside in the isles of Orkney, and that Ralph, designated bishop of Orkney, had been a presbyter of York.
[9] The following were among the "valiante chiefetaynes:"—
Bernard de Baliol, nephew to Guy de Baliol. After this battle he adhered to Stephen, and was taken prisoner with him at the battle of Lincoln. He is supposed to be the founder of the castle thence called Bernard castle; was a benefactor to the monks of St. Mary's Abbey, York, and those of Rievaulx.
Richard de Curcy, represented by Hugustald as a valiant commander in this battle. He was succeeded by William de Curcy, sewer to king Henry II.
Robert de Ferrars, youngest son of Henry de Ferrers, by Berta his wife. He commanded the Derbyshire men in this battle, and for his bravery was forthwith advanced to the earldom of Derby, which honour he did not long enjoy, dying the following year, 1139, leaving Robert second earl.