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Stephen
grew up with the sound of battle in his ears and lived
his life in the company of soldiers. In support of the
noble King Edward, he went to Ireland and Scotland,
learning the knightly arts at his father's side. Longing
to join the heat of the battle, Stephen was forced to
watch from the safety of the baggage train.
In
1291 the Segrave family were summoned to Scotland again
to reinforce the will of King Edward in his claim of
over-lordship of the kingdom. The crowning of John Balliol
as King of Scotland in 1292 brought an unsteady peace
between the two nations, and so the family returned
to Leicestershire and the Castle Caludon, whilst the
King pursued his wars against the French.
In
1295 at the age of 15, Stephen attended his grandfather
to Parliament. The greatest of honours were bestowed
upon the family, as Sir Nicholas became Baron Segrave.
Only months later his grandfather died and Stephen himself
became heir to the Barony. As if this year could not
get better, Stephen at last had the opportunity to show
his fighting mettle. Balliol refused to support the
King's demands for help against France and raised his
standard to rally the Scottish people. Stephen for the
first time joined the King's army in his own right.
At last the years of watching were over, the town of
Berwick on Tweed stood before him in defiance and the
King laid siege. Defiance could not be born and the
King ordered the sack of the town. All were put to the
sword and Stephen gained his first taste of victory.
The taste was sweet.
Over
the next few years Stephen served the King with his
father. Not yet old enough to be knighted, the years
of campaigning had taught him well. Supporting his father,
who had been appointed as an army commander at the battle
of Falkirk and at the siege of Carlaverock Castle, the
nature of war soon became instinctive. A witness to
both the joy of victory and the bitterness of defeat,
nothing brought this home better than when, in 1302,
his father (then the Keeper of Scotland) was ambushed,
wounded and captured. Discovering where his father was
held, Stephen finally stepped out of the shadows to
lead a rescue party and successfully released his father.
In
1305 the Segraves came face to face with the chief brigand
himself. William Wallace was given into their custody
after the noble still loyal to Edward arranged for his
capture. The Segraves escorted Wallace to London and
witnessed his deserved execution. Stephen realised that
this was the turning point in his life and the following
year in April the King choose him, among many others,
to be knighted along with his own son, Prince Edward,
at the Palace of Westminster. That year saw the English
yet again in Scotland, as Robert the Bruce raised his
banner and claimed the kingship of Scotland in his own
right. Edward bent on revenge at such treason led an
army north to crush this rebellion once and for all.
Stephen took his own banner to war for the first time
and won the spurs he had newly been given.
Family History:
Descended from Thomas
de Segrave, who was listed in the Doomsday Book. When
the Doomsday Book was written, in 1080, Thomas de Segrave
was found to be part owner of Segrave in Leicestershire
and William the Conqueror imposed an annual fine of
14 shillings on his lands. Sir Stephen de Segrave, bought
out this fine in 1232.
Sir
Stephen de Segrave, married Rohesia, daughter of Thomas
De Spencer and in 1203 he was Constable of the Tower
of London and a prominent judge. In 1232 he was made
Chief Justicar and acted as one of the King's Regents.
After accompanying Randulf De Bluderville the Earl of
Chester on a trip to the Holy land Stephen De Segrave
was given Caludon (Calladan) castle with a rent of one
sparrowhawk a year.
Sir
Gilbert de Segrave, succeeded his father Stephen in
1241, married Annabele de Chaucombe. In 1242 he was
appointed Governor of Kenilworth Castle and became judge
for the City of London in 1251. He fell ill and died
in prison in 1254 after he accompanied Henry III to
Gascony and was seized by the French at Pons in Poitou.
Baron
Nicholas de Segrave succeeded his father Gilbert and
married Matilda, daughter of Baron de Lucy, a great
Leicestershire landowner. He attached himself to Simon
de Montfort in his rebellion and in 1263 was knighted
by Henry III. He commanded the left flank of Simon de
Montfort's army at the Battle of Lewes. The Segrave
family were elevated to the Peerage in 1283 when Nicholas
was summoned to Parliament as Baron Segrave. Wounded
and taken prisoner at the Battle of Evesham, Nicholas
died in 1295.
Baron
John De Segrave born 1256 was made Baron Segrave following
the death of his father. He signed and sealed the Baron's
Letter to the Pope in 1301. John led the English to
defeat at the battle of Roslin in 1303 however this
does not seemed to have effect him too badly as he was
given permission to fortify and add a moat to Caludon
castle by King Edward I in 1305.
Sir Stephen
is played by Steve Ward, an experienced re-enactor and
self proclaimed poser. Steve says:
" Although
not a great deal is known of Sir Stephen, like where
and when he died, he is the ideal opportunity to play
the bad guy. What could be better? Dressed in black
and with an attitude!".
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