Hugh de Grandmesnil

Hugh de Grandmesnil (1032 – 22 February 1098), also known as Hugh or Hugo de Grentmesnil or Grentemesnil, was a commander at the Battle of Hastings, and became a great landowner in England. He was the elder son of Robert of Grandmesnil and Hawise d'Echaffour. Robert of Grandmesnil was his younger brother. Following the conquest William I of England gave Hugh 100 manors for his services, sixty-five of them in Leicestershire. He was appointed sheri... more

Hugh de Grandmesnil (1032 – 22 February 1098), also known as Hugh or Hugo de Grentmesnil or Grentemesnil, was a commander at the Battle of Hastings, and became a great landowner in England. He was the elder son of Robert of Grandmesnil and Hawise d'Echaffour. Robert of Grandmesnil was his younger brother. Following the conquest William I of England gave Hugh 100 manors for his services, sixty-five of them in Leicestershire. He was appointed sheriff of the county of Leicester and Governor of Hampshire. Hugh's possessions are listed in some detail in the Domesday book ( p 652-6). The story of the Grandmesnils begins in the mid-eleventh century, in central Normandy, where the family were famous for the breeding and training of war horses. The De Grandmesnils had made a fortune from a string of stud farms which they owned on the plains of Ouch, but during the minority of Duke William the stability of Normandy began to break down. Old scores were settled as the barons made a grab for each... less