The Starr Family of America

Weis' "Ancestral Roots. . ." (246D:26).
Came to England at the time of the Norman conquest.

"Todd A. Farmerie" posted to GEN-MEDIEVAL@rootsweb.com on 2 Dec 1997 (inpart):
Subject: Aubigny:
"Roger Bigod, prob. son of an earlier Robert Bigod, d. 1107. He had
married twice, first to Adelaide _____, and second to Alice de Todeni,eventual heiress of Belvoir. He had by Adelaide: William, who appearsto have been a minor at his father's death, and himself dsp 1120. Gunner,m. Robert of Essex Cecily, m. William d'Aubigny Brito, who d. 1143-6Maud, m. William d'Aubigny Pincerna, who d. 1139 He had by Alice deTodeni: Hugh, who may have been a minor at his brother's death. He d.1177. Refs: Anglo Norman Studies xvii: 223-42 (The Motives and Politicsof the Bigod Family c. 1066-1177)."

A relatively poor man of no importance in pre-invasion Normandy, RogerBigod appears to have grown in wealth, prominence and power after 1066 asa result of his conduct in England rather than from any great feat ofbravery at Hastings. His estate largely comprised many small andscattered land-holdings, but together they formed a considerable asset.Some of these possessions were fairly dubious, supposedly given by theking but not always with verifiable claims, but as a powerful sheriff hewould have been fairly untouchable (see N. Orbell p. 13-14). Misuses ofpower such as the taking of land and charging high rents by sheriffs wasnot uncommon.

Pre1066 Ipswich governed by Queen Edith & Earl Gyrth.

1069 (With Robert Malet & Ralph de Gael, Earl of Norfolk) defeated Sweynof Denmark near Ipswich.
1070 Roger held Earsham (near Bungay) in Norfolk, and gained some of thearchbishop’s under-tenants when he was deposed in 1070.
1075 Roger made sheriff of Ipswich on behalf of William I (may have beenearlier); he gained some more lands when the Earl of Norfolk rebelled andfled the country.
1086 Roger was by now sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk; the Domesdaysurvey records him as holding 6 lordships in Essex, 117 in Suffolk and187 in Norfolk.
1087 William I died; Roger joined a rebellion against his son William IIin favour of Robert, Duke of Normandy, supporting the reunification ofEngland and Normandy. He got a bad write up from the PeterboroughChronicler (Anglo – Saxon Chronicle E, 1087/8) (N. Orbell, 15) butluckily William II was kind to the rebels. Roger probably lost his lands.
1091 Roger probably got lands back when William II and Robert, Duke ofNormandy, were reconciled. He appears to have remained sheriff andsteward throughout. William, bishop of Thetford, died. Herbert de Losingapurchased see from Ranulf Flambard for 1900 L (a slightly dodgy deal).
1094 de Losinga went to Rome, resigned his office, received absolutionand was reinstated by Pope Urban II, on condition that the see be movedto Norwich. St. Mary the Great buildings remained under patronage ofArfast’s sons.
1095 Roger Bigot and other barons examined, defined and surveyed theland.
1096 The first stone for Norwich cathedral was laid.
1100 Roger attended Henry I’s coronation and was summoned to hiscouncils.
1101 Roger was one of five to remain loyal to Henry I in the face of anattempt to replace him with Robert, Duke of Normandy. Roger was rewardedfor his loyalty with forfeited lands, notably the lordship of Framlinghamand the castle.
1102 Bungay was given to Roger.
1103 Roger Bigot bought rights to St. Mary the Great off Arfast’s sons.
1107 . Roger died

Biography courtesy ofhttp://www.thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk/Time_Team/roger.htm