672 years ago (or thereabouts, given the Julian calendar was in use in 14th century England) on Monday 30 January 1352 it was stated in the Calendar of Fine Rolls 1347 – 1356 in Westminster that the escheator (local official responsible for upholding the lands of the king) of Norfolk and Suffolk was to take into his possession the lands held in chief by ‘Alice, late the wife of Edward de Monte Acuto’ [p345]. Alice was the first cousin of Edward III, the king taking her lands back under his control as she – not her husband – was the land holder. Despite this, Alice was beaten to near-death by her husband and two of his thugs just seven months previous to this announcement and was actually mistaken as having died eleven weeks prior on 14 November 1351. The announcement then for the escheator was ‘vacated’ as Alice was found to still be alive, although what state of health she was in was a different matter. Her two youngest children at this point were taken into the custody of her mother in law, Lady Elizabeth Montfort, Baroness Montagu.
We know Edward Montagu (Latin – Monte Acuto) was given back Alice’s lands a mere ten days later as there were living heirs and we know Montagu was not punished in any way for this crime, although one of his retainers was and was only pardoned on Montagu’s death in July 1361. However, Montagu appears to not have gone abroad on the king’s business again up until his death bar one episode – the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 where he was in the retinue of his nephew, William, second Earl of Salisbury after being summonsed by the Black Prince in 1355. I also strongly suspect Alice had likely died by 19 January 1352 (the date of the 30th was just the announcement of her death). On the 19 January we see Alice’s kin, a priest called William Hales, resigned his post whereby Montagu installed a priest called Thomas; coincidentally one of the retainers that was part of his attack on Alice was Thomas, a priest. The Bishop of Norwich’s register shows Montagu attended all of his institutions of priests, where he and Alice were patrons around Norfolk and Suffolk, between 1346 and 1353 except one – 19 January 1352 when he was in London. Facing questions about Alice’s death?
Here is a write-up of Edward Montagu, younger brother of the first earl of Salisbury, battle-hardened warrior and knightly criminal gang leader, on the wonderful Just History blog: Historical Figures: Edward Montagu, Knightly Criminal – Just History Posts
And HERE is a previous post about Alice, may she rest in peace. To read more about Alice and those around her, my book is available from Pen & Sword Publishers HERE as well as from the usual outlets, or message me if you would like a signed & dedicated copy 😊
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