The Barony of Dudley

The history of Dudley Castle and the Barony of Dudley

Dudley Castle was for many years the home of the Barons of Dudley, and hence they share a common history

Dudley Castle, like many castles in England, was founded shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. A formidable French knight by the name of Ansculf, who came from Picquigney, near Amiens, gained the estate of Dudley in 1070, following the unsuccessful rebellion of the Saxon lord, Earl Edwin of Mercia ...

The Barons of Dudley, 1070 - 1757

The information below is drawn from the book "An Illustrated Chronicle of the Castle and Barony of Dudley", by John Hemingway.

1	Ansculf of Picquigy	?
2	William Fitz Ansculf	?
3	Fulke Paganell	?
4	Ralph Paganell	1130's - 1150
5	Gervase Paganell	1150 -1194
6	Ralph de Somery	1194 - 1210
7	Ralph de Somery	1210 - 1216
8	William Percival de Somery	1216 - 1222
	Nicholas de Somery *	1222 - 1229
9	Roger de Somery I	1229 - 1235
10	Roger de Somery II	1235 - 1272
11	Roger de Somery III	1272 - 1291
12	Agnes De Somery	1291 - 1309
13	John de Somery	1309 - 1322
14	John de Sutton I	1322 - 1325
15	Hugh Despencer	1325 - 1326
16	John de Sutton II	1327 - 1360
17	Isabella de Sutton	1360 - 1397
18	John de Sutton V	1401 - 1406
19	Constance de Sutton	1406 - 1422
20	John de Sutton VI	1422 - 1487
21	Edward Sutton I	1487 - 1532
22	John Sutton VII	1532 - 1537
23	John Dudley	1537 - 1553
24	Edward Sutton II	1554 - 1586
25	Edward Sutton III	1586 - 1643
26	Frances Ward	1635 - 1697
27	Edward Ward I	1697 - 1701
28	Edward Ward II	1701 - 1704
29	Edward Ward III	1704 - 1731
30	William Ward	1731 - 1740
31	Ferdinando Dudley Lea	1740 - 1757

* Nicholas de Somery was only a child when his father died, and his lands were held in wardship. He died while still in his minority.

An Illustrated Chronicle of the Castle and Barony of Dudley - The Book

For much more information about the Barony of Dudley, read the book!

Book cover This book, describing the history of Dudley Castle and the Barony was written by John Hemingway, the Archaeological Officer of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, and was published in 2006 by The Friends of Dudley Castle. 178 pages, including many (colour and black and white) pictures, with a soft cover. £12.50 (excluding postage and packing).

Details of the book and how to order it.

Return to home page

Contents

The Barony of Dudley

The history of Dudley Castle and the Barony of Dudley

The Barons of Dudley, 1070 - 1757

An Illustrated Chronicle of the Castle and Barony of Dudley - The Book