Biographies: The Beaumonts

• The Beaumonts - Waleran, Count of Muelan and Robert, Earl of Leicester

Waleran, Count of Meulan, 1st Earl of Worcester
Birth: 1104
Death: 9 April, 1166
Burial: St Peter of Préaux, Normandy
Father: Robert, Count of Meulan and 1st Earl of Leicester
Mother: Elizabeth de Vermandois
Marriage: 1141/2 - Agnes de Montfort
Children:
Robert, Count of Meulan
Isabelle
Waleran
Amaury
Roger
Ralph
Stephen
Mary

... and his brother

Robert, 2nd Earl of Leicester
Birth: 1104
Death: 5 April, 1168
Burial:
Father: Robert, Count of Meulan and 1st Earl of Leicester
Mother: Elizabeth de Vermandois
Marriage: 1121 - Amice de Montfort
Children:
Hawise
Robert, 3rd Earl of Leicester
Margaret
Isabel, m. Simon II of St Liz (Simon II de Senlis), Earl of Huntingdon and Northampton

NOTES: The brothers were taken into the royal household of Henry I shortly after their father's death in June 1118. Despite Waleran's rebellion in 1122 (in which Robert appears to have played no part) and his imprisonment until 1129, the twins were present at Henry's court after this date and at his deathbed in 1135. More information with regards to their involvement in the struggles between Stephen and Matilda to follow soon.

Robert of Leicester's son in law, Simon II of St Liz (de Senlis), who was the son of Simon I of St Liz (de Senlis), 1st Earl of Huntingdon and Northampton and Matilda (Maud), Countess of Huntingdon, was also prominent figure in The Anarchy. He fought for Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln in 1141 and despite the King's defeat continued to loyally support Stephen's side. He died in 1153.