Elizabeth De LA POLE

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: G494-4Z2
• _UID: A3D5FB819B9B48F6B0671BE9E4C98A06C0DA

Elizabeth married Edward BURNELL, Of Billinford, Sir before 1415 in 2ND Wife. Edward (son of Hugh 2Nd Baron BURNELL, Kg, Sir) was born in 1382 in Billingford, Thurning, Norfolk, England; died on 25 Oct 1415 in Battle Of Agincourt, France (Dvp). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: MK1M-SXQ
• _UID: 3D921A7932A942BCA3A29EBD85F83E891FA6
• 2nd Earl of Suffolk: 1398; His father forfeited his tiles and Michael was able to regain the title of Earl of Suffolk on petition to Richard II in 1398

Notes:

Suffolk, other creations. His [Michael 1st Earl of Suffolk] career as diplomat and official flourished (he was Lord Chancellor in the mid-1380's) but his being a favourite of Richard II made him unpopular with the more established nobility and he was tried "in absentia" for high treason and on being found guilty forfeited his titles. Shortly before Richard II's own fall the son, another Michael, was restored to his father's honours but this restoration was itself annulled on Henry IV's coming to the throne. Michael managed to make his peace with the new King, however, and had the Earldom restored to him a second time. [Burke's Peerage, p. 2761]

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Sir Michael de la Pole, b. in or before 1367, d. Harfleur 18 Sep 1415, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, son of Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk 1385, d. 1388, and Katherine Wingfield. [Magna Charta Sureties]

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BARONY OF POLE (II)

EARLDOM OF SUFFOLK (VI, 2)

MICHAEL DE LA POLE, 1st son and heir, was born in or before 1367; knighted at the Coronation of Richard II, 15 July 1377; and was going to Calais and in command of men-at-arms and archers, 30 April 1386. After his father's death, 5 September 1389, his fealty was taken by the King before 3 December following, and despite the attainder he had livery, as son and heir, of his maternal and paternal entailed estates, 1389-92. He accompanied the Duke of Gloucester on his attempted voyage to Prussia, September 1391. The proceedings of the Parliament of 11 Richard II having been annulled by Parliament, 28 January 1397/8, he was restored to his father's dignities, becoming thus EARL OF SUFFOLK and (according to modern peerage law) LORD DE LA POLE, and obtaining a patent, 19 June 1398, of the Earldom (only) with remainder to the heirs male of his body, whom failing, those of his father. But the Parliament of 1399 having annulled the proceedings of 21 Richard II and confirmed those of 11 Richard II aforesaid, he fell again under his father's attainder, whereby all his honours were (again) forfeited. However, he obtained restoration of most of his father's estates and, in consideration of his services after the king's advent, was restored, 15 November 1399, as EARL OF SUFFOLK (no mention again being made of the alleged Barony of de la Pole), with a remainder similar to that of 1398 aforesaid. He was Chief Commissioner of array for Suffolk, 15 December 1399; appears to have taken part in Henry IV's expedition into Scotland, August 1400; P.C. 1401; was about to leave the realm on the King's business, 27 August 1408, and was one of the English representatives at the Great Council of Pisa, April 1409. While waiting at Southampton to accompany Henry V to France in 1415, he was appointed a Commissioner of oyer and terminer in that co., 31 July, and was one of the peers who took part in the trial of the Earl of Cambridge and Lord Scrope, 5 August.

He married (contract 1 February 1382/3, to marry on 13 April or soon after), before 23 November 1383, Katherine, daughter of Hugh (DE STAFFORD], 2nd EARL OF STAFFORD, by Philippe, daughter of Thomas (DE BEAUCHAMP), EARL OF WARWICK. He died of the flux 18 September 1415 at the siege of Harfleur and was buried at Wingfield. M.I. His widow died 8 April 1419 and was buried with him. M. I. [Complete Peerage XII/1:441-2, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]

Michael married Katherine De STAFFORD before 23 Nov 1383. Katherine (daughter of Hugh STAFFORD and Philippa DE BEAUCHAMP) was born about 1366 in Staffordshire, England; died on 8 Apr 1419 in Wingfield Church, Suffolk, England; was buried in 1419 in Wingfiled Church, Wingfield, Suffolk, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: GHLQ-8QW
• Name: Catharina STAFFORD
• Name: Katherine de STAFFORD
• _UID: 268EC9B5FDC24FFEB7703FF667A11A37F311

Notes:

Katherine de Stafford, Countess of Suffolk (born around 1376 died 8 April 1419) was a daughter of Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford and his wife Philippa de Beauchamp. By her marriage to Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, she became known as the Countess of Suffolk.

Family
Katherine was one of nine children born to Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford and his wife Philippa de Beauchamp. Some of her siblings included Margaret de Stafford, Countess of Westmorland and Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford.

Her paternal grandparents were Ralph Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford and Margaret de Audley. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick and Katherine Mortimer, a daughter of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March. Through his paternal and maternal grandmothers, she was descended from Edward I and John, King of England respectively.

Marriage and children
Katherine was married to Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk in April 1383. He was a son of Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk and Katherine Wingfield. They had the following issue, the eldest of whom would not be born until 1394, eleven years after their marriage:

1.) Michael de la Pole, 3rd Earl of Suffolk (1394?1415)

2.) William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1396?1450)

3.) Sir Alexander de la Pole (d. 1429), killed at the Battle of Jargeau

4.) Sir John de la Pole (d. 1429), died a prisoner in France.

5) Sir Thomas de la Pole (aft. 1397-1433), a clerk, died in France while a hostage for his brother William. He had an illegitimate daughter and heiress Katherine de la Pole (1416-1488, buried in Rowley Abbey, Oxfordshire), second wife of Sir Miles Stapleton, and had issue

6.) Katherine de la Pole, abbess at Barking

7.) Isabel de la Pole (d. 1466), married Thomas de Morley, 5th Baron Morley, and had issue

8.) Elizabeth de la Pole, married first Edward Burnell, son of Hugh Burnell, 2nd Baron Burnell, second Sir Thomas Kerdeston

Michael died on 18 September 1415, from the flux. Katherine died four years later, on 8 April 1419.




Katherine [2nd daughter of 3 listed]; married by 23 Nov 1383 Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk (died 18 Sep 1415) of the 1385 creation, and died 8 April 1419. [Burke's Peerage]

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Katherine Stafford, d. 8 Apr 1419; m. before 23 Nov 1383 Sir Michael de la Pole, b. in or before 1367, d. Harfleur 18 Sep 1415, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, son of Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk 1385, d. 1388, and Katherine Wingfield. [Magna Charta Sureties]

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He [Michael de la Pole] married (contract 1 February 1382/3, to marry on 13 April or soon after), before 23 November 1383, Katherine, daughter of Hugh (DE STAFFORD], 2nd EARL OF STAFFORD, by Philippe, daughter of Thomas (DE BEAUCHAMP), EARL OF WARWICK. He died of the flux 18 September 1415 at the siege of Harfleur and was buried at Wingfield. M.I. His widow died 8 April 1419 and was buried with him. M. I. [Complete Peerage XII/1:441-2, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]

Other Events:

• Ancestor Interest: MEDIUM
• FamilySearch ID: LCPN-JDQ
• Name: Michael DE LA POLE
• _UID: 179F02105C8A4A8380BE8063037B8FF7A01D
• Milit_Serv: 1370, Limoges, Haute-Vienne, Limousin, France
• Occupation: Abt 1383; K.G., Lord Chancellor of England.
• Accedence: 1385
• Note: 1386

Notes:

Suffolk, other creations: Following William de Ufford's death, when the Earldom of Suffolk of the second creation is deemed to have expired, the titles was conferred in 1385, barely three and a half years later, on Michael de la Pole, of a prosperous but bourgeois family from Hull. His career as diplomat and official flourished (he was Lord Chancellor in the mid-1380's) but his being a favourite of Richard II made him unpopular with the more established nobility and he was tried "in absentia" for high treason and on being found guilty forfeited his titles. Shortly before Richard II's own fall the son, another Michael, was restored to his father's honours but this restoration was itself annulled on Henry IV's coming to the throne. Michael managed to make his peace with the new King, however, and had the Earldom restored to him a second time. [Burke's Peerage, p. 2761]

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BARONY OF POLE (I)

EARLDOM OF SUFFOLK (V, 1)

MICHAEL DE LA POLE, 1st son and heir, was born about 1330; knighted before 16 November 1353; was in the retinue of the Duke of Lancaster in his attempted expedition to aid Charles of Navarre in 1355 and accompanied the Black Prince in that of 1359. He was summoned v.p. to Parliament 20 January 1365/6 and on to 28 September 1384, by writs directcd Michaeli de la Pole, whereby he is held to have become LORD DE LA POLE. He succeeded his father as above, 21 June 1366; was a Commissioner of array for the East Riding of Yorks and Kingston-upon-Hull, 10 February, and de walliis et fossatis for the waters of Hull and Derwent, 30 July 1367; served again in the French wars from 1369, taking part in the sieges of Limoges (under the Black Prince), September 1370, and Montfont (under the Duke of Lancaster), December 1370-January 1370/1; Admiral of the fleet from the mouth of the Thames towards the north, 24 November 1376 (re-appointed 14 August following)--5 Dec. 1377; Commissioner to receive the castle of Brest from the Duke of Brittany, 9 April 1378, in which year also he accompanied Lancaster's abortive naval expedition against St. Malo. He founded a small monastery of 13 monks of the Carthusian Order at Kingston-upon-Hull, 18 February 1378/9. P.C. before 18 March 1378/9; Chief Ambassador to Milan (to negotiate a marriage between Richard Il and Catherine, daughter of Barnarbo Visconti of Milan), 18 March 1378/9, also to Rome and to Wenceslas, King of the Romans and of Bohemia (to suggest a marriage between Richard II and Anne, sister of Wenceslas), during which latter embassy he was made prisoner (as was also, apparently, Anne) before 19 January 1379/80, and was ransomed "at a high price" before 28 March 1381; joint Governor of the King, November 1381; Lord Chancellor of England, 13 March 1382/3-23 October 1386.

While accompanying the King on his only expedition into Scotland, he was created, 6 August 1385, at Hoselaw, in Teviotdale, EARL OF SUFFOLK. Commissioner to treat with France at the request of the King of Armenia, 22 January and Chief Commissioner to inspect Calais, 13 March 1385/6. His favour with the King making him unpopular, he was impeached and convicted in the Parliament that met at Westminster, 1 October 1386, whereby many of his lands were forfeited, he was heavily fined and was committed to Corfe Castle. The King, however, sent him to Windsor, where he was soon released; and the above proceedings were declared void by the judges at Nottingham, 25 August 1387. He was with the King and Robert (de Vere), Duke of Ireland, in Wales and the Midlands during the summer of 1387 and returned with them to London, I0 November. But being accused by Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick (the "Lords Appellant"), he fled the realm in December 1387, and was in his absence found guilty of high treason by Parliament, 13 February 1387/8 (l), whereby all his honours were forfeited.

He married, before 18 October 1361, Katherine, daughter and heir of Sir John WINGFIELD, of Wingfield, Suffolk, by Eleanor, daughter and heir of Gilbert (or Ralph) de Glanville. She, who was aged 26 and more in 1375, was living, 18 February 1378/9, and died before 1 October 1386, being buried in the Church of the Carthusians at Kingston-upon-Hull. M.I. He died 5 September 1389 in Paris and was buried with her. M.I. [Complete Peerage XII/1:437-40, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]

(l) The chroniclers say that he appeared before Calais Castle, of which his brother Edmund was Captain. The Governor of Calais, William Beauchamp, sent him back to the King who again allowed him to escape, this time from Hull, whither the King's serjeant was sent 20 Dec, to arrest him. According to Froissart, he and Vere crossed the North Sea together and landed at Dordrecht in Holland, but other accounts differ. Later he proceeded with Vere to Paris. Further orders for his arrest were issued 27 Dec 1387, 4 Jan and 20 Feb 1387/8.

Milit_Serv:
Served in the French wars under the Black Prince & later under John of Gaunt.

Milit_Serv:
Accompanied John of Gaunt on campaign in France several times.

Milit_Serv:
Captain of Calais. Admiral of the Fleet North of the River Thames.

Note:
A favorite of King Richard II. The only one of the King's closest councillors to have practical experience.

Note:
One of John of Gaunt's most trusted retainers & closest advisors.

Milit_Serv:
Fought under the Black Prince at Limoges.

Accedence:
Created 1st Earl of Suffolk.

Note:
Charged with treason, exiled & outlawed.

Michael married Katherine DE WINGFIELD before 18 Oct 1361. Katherine (daughter of John De WINGFIELD, Lord Of Wingfield, Sir and Eleanor (Alianore) De GLANVILLE) was born before 1349 in Wingfield, Hartismere, Suffolk, England; died before 10 Oct 1386 in Church Of The Carthusians, Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire, England; was buried about 10 Oct 1386 in Church Of The Carthusians, Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Ancestor Interest: MEDIUM
• FamilySearch ID: LVPV-TF6
• LifeSketch: ; Katherine de Stafford, Countess of Suffolk (born around 1376 died 8 April 1419) was a daughter of Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford and his wife Philippa de Beauchamp. By her marriage to Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, she became known as th
• Name: Katherine de STAFFORD
• Name: Katherine STAFFORD
• _UID: 79F5EA45FC3942CEB00C8FD8F6E1A270EEE2

Notes:

Katharine; married Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk, of the 1385 creation, by whom she was great-grandmother of John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, who married Elizabeth Plantagenet, sister of Edward IV and Richard III. [Burke's Peerage]

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He [Michael de la Pole] married, before 18 October 1361, Katherine, daughter and heir of Sir John WINGFIELD, of Wingfield, Suffolk, by Eleanor, daughter and heir of Gilbert (or Ralph) de Glanville. She, who was aged 26 and more in 1375, was living, 18 February 1378/9, and died before 1 October 1386, being buried in the Church of the Carthusians at Kingston-upon-Hull. M.I. He died 5 September 1389 in Paris and was buried with her. M.I. [Complete Peerage XII/1:437-40, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LZ5L-L1C
• MilitaryService: 1359, France
• TitleOfNobility: 31 Aug 1372, Staffordshire, England; 2nd Earl of Stafford
• Knight of the Garter: Aft 11 Nov 1375
• Will: 6 Apr 1385; dated

Notes:

Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford, KG (c. 1342 ? 16 October 1386) was an English nobleman.

Early life
Hugh de Stafford was born around 1342, the second and youngest son of Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford and Margaret de Audley. His elder brother, Ralph, was intended to inherit the title and had been married to Maud Grosmont, daughter of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Isabel de Beaumont in 1344, with the expectation that he would expand the Stafford estates by inheriting the Lancastrian duchy. However, Ralph died early in 1347 and Hugh became heir. Around 1358, Hugh became the 3rd Lord Audley. Hugh joined his father in the French campaigns in 1359, being part of the retinue of Edward, Prince of Wales, spending time in Gascony and northern Spain.

Political career
He spent many years in military service, before returning to England and being summoned to Parliament in 1371 as Lord Stafford and later as Earl Stafford. On 31 August 1372, he inherited the title of 2nd Earl of Stafford. He was a member of a number of royal commissions, such as ones on Scottish affairs and on coastal defence. He was on the committee of nobles who conferred regularly with the Commons, being deemed suitable by that House to be part of the new 'continual council' of state. He did not always make the best decisions though and was admonished by his peers for censuring John Philipot, the London MP and merchant who had mobilised a fleet to defend merchant shipping.

Marriage and children

On or before 1 March 1350, Hugh de Stafford married Philippa de Beauchamp daughter of Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick and Katherine Mortimer.

They had at least eight children.
1. Margaret Stafford (c. 1364 ? 9 June 1396). Married Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland as his first wife. Had issue.
2. Sir Ralph Stafford (c. 1367 ? 1385). Ralph was killed by King Richard II's half-brother, John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter in a feud during an expedition against the Scots in July 1385, over a retainer's death by one of Ralph's archers.
3. Thomas Stafford, 3rd Earl of Stafford (c. 1368 ? 4 July 1392). Inherited at age of 18. Married Anne of Gloucester, daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor de Bohun. No issue, the marriage was reportedly never consummated.
4. William Stafford, 4th Earl of Stafford (21 September 1375 ? 6 April 1395). Inherited from his brother at the age of 14. He was a ward of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester. He died at 19, no issue.
5. Katherine Stafford (c. 1376 ? 8 April 1419). Married Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk. Had issue.
6. Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford (2 March 1377 ? 22 July 1403). Inherited the earldom from his brother at the age of 17. He married Anne of Gloucester, widow of his elder brother Thomas. Edmund and Anne were the parents of Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham.
7. Joan Stafford (1378 ? 1 October 1442), married Thomas Holland, 1st Duke of Surrey. No issue.
8. Hugh Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford (c. 1382 - 25 October 1420). Married Elizabeth Bourchier, 4th Baroness Bourchier and thus 4th Baron Bourchier jure uxoris, later created 1st Baron Stafford (1411 creation), Knight of the Garter. No issue.

Later life and death
The Countess Philippa died on 6 April 1386, and it was probably this combined with the death of his eldest son that pushed him to undertake a series of pilgrimages. He went first to Walsingham and then sailed for Jerusalem. He only got to Rhodes, where he died in the hospital the knights of St John in October of that year. His bones were returned to Stone Priory, Staffordshire, for burial next to his wife.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Stafford,_2nd_Earl_of_Stafford

Hugh married Philippa DE BEAUCHAMP before 1362 in England. Philippa (daughter of Sir Thomas DE BEAUCHAMP, 11th Earl of Warwick and Katherine MORTIMER) was born in 1334 in Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, England; was christened in 1344; died on 6 Apr 1386; was buried in 1386 in Austin Priory, Stone, Staffordshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LZZ1-47L
• Name: Philippa BEAUCHAMP
• Name: Phillippa de BEAUCAMP
• TitleOfNobility: 31 Aug 1372, England; Countess of Stafford

Notes:

Philippa de Beauchamp (before 1344-6 April 1386) was the daughter of Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick and Katherine Mortimer.

On or before 1 March 1350 she married Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford, son of Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford and Margaret Audley, Baroness Audley.

Philippa and Hugh had seven children.

1.) Sir Ralph de Stafford (born about 1354-1385). Ralph was killed by King Richard II's half-brother, Sir John Holland in a feud during an expedition against the Scots in May 1385, over a retainer's death by one of Ralph's archers.

2.) Margaret de Stafford, (b. abt. 1364-9 June 1396), married Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland.

3.) Thomas de Stafford, 3rd Earl of Stafford (b. abt. 1368-4 July 1392). Inherited at age of 18. Married Anne Plantagenet, daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor de Bohun. No issue.(marriage was reportedly never consummated)

4.) William Stafford, 4th Earl of Stafford (21 September 1375-6 April 1395). Inherited from his brother at the age of 14. He was a ward of the Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester. He died at 19, no issue.

5.) Katherine de Stafford (b. abt. 1376-8 April 1419), married Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk

6.) Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford (2 March 1377-22 July 1403), inherited title from his brother at the age of 17. He married Anne of Gloucester, the widow of his elder brother Thomas.

7.) Joan de Stafford (1378-1 October 1442), married Thomas Holland, 1st Duke of Surrey. No issue

Other Events:

• _UID: 6DB50ACF192541AC9217002ADCF1FA13D320

Notes:

John (Sir), feudal Lord of Wingfield 1330-58; married Alianore, daughter of Sir Gilbert de Glanville. [Burke's Peerage]

John married Eleanor (Alianore) De GLANVILLE. Eleanor (daughter of Gilbert (Ralph) De GLANVILLE, Of Bowsley, Sir and Eleanor De BRAOSE) was born about 1325 in Stradbroke, Hartismere, Suffolk, England; died in 1375. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 544A13F8C5A14E5494A296011AA97B01BD50

Notes:

Alianore, daughter of Sir Gilbert de Glanville. [Burke's Peerage]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: KJ4B-PPF
• Name: Ralph DE STAFFORD
• MilitaryService: 1327; Sir Knight Banneret
• Occupation: 1327; Steward of the Royal Household
• MilitaryService: 11 Aug 1332; Commanding Officer of Archers at the Battle of Dupplin Moor in Scotland
• TitleOfNobility: 29 Nov 1336; Lord Stafford
• MilitaryService: 26 Aug 1348; and was captured during the Siege of Nantes
• MilitaryService: 1352, Gascogne, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France; and served as King's Lieutenant in Gascogne
• Occupation: 1361, France; Royal Envoy
• TitleOfNobility: 26 Aug 1384; 5th Knight of the Order of the Garter

Notes:

Ralph de Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, KG (24 September 1301 ? 31 August 1372) was an English nobleman and notable soldier during the Hundred Years War against France.
Ralph was born on 24 September 1301, the son of Edmund de Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford and Margaret Basset. Having lost his father at the age of seven, Ralph grew up in the midlands with his mother's relatives, including her second husband Thomas Pipe. He had his first experience of royal service, along with his brothers and stepfather, when he joined the retinue of Ralph, 2nd Lord Basset.

Career
Stafford was made a Knight banneret in 1327 and was fighting the Scots shortly afterwards. He supported the plot to free Edward III of England from the control of Roger Mortimer, which earned the king's gratitude. By the summer of 1332, he was a commissioner of the peace in Staffordshire and had served abroad on royal business, accompanying Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester. He was also still fighting the Scots, commanding archers at the Battle of Dupplin Moor on 11 Aug 1332 and on three further Scottish campaigns.
He was first summoned to Parliament by writ as Lord Stafford on 29 November 1336 and continued to attend until 1350.

His military career continued, accompanying King Edward to France in 1338 as an advisor and being present at the naval battle of Sluys on 24 June 1340. He also fought at the relief of Brest and the siege of Morlaix. He was captured at Vannes but was exchanged in time to negotiate a truce at Malestroit.
On 6 January 1341, he was made Steward of the Royal Household but resigned that post on 29 March 1345 having assumed the office of Seneschal of Aquitaine, an English possession in France, where he stayed for about a year. He took part in the Gascon campaign of 1345 including the battles of Bergerac and Auberoche, the siege of Aiguillon, from where he escaped prior to its lifting, a raid on Barfleur and the English victory at the Battle of Crecy, on 26 August 1346. He became one of the twenty-six founding members and the fifth knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348.

In November 1347, his wife's father died; they were able to take possession of his estates without paying the king's homage, an indication of the relationship between them. Ralph was now a very wealthy man, from his estates and from the many prizes from the French war.
Edward III created a number of new peerage titles to honour his war captains and to mark his jubilee year. Ralph was created the 1st Earl of Stafford on 5 March 1350, with an annuity of 1000 marks. He now replaced Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster as the king's lieutenant in Gascony. He committed to serve with 200 men at his own expense with the expectation of this being doubled in March 1353 at the king's expense. The campaigns provided several captives that were ransomed, but were ultimately unsuccessful, leading to the appointment of Edward, Prince of Wales to command.
Even at the age of sixty, Stafford continued to command troops and act as a royal envoy, both in France and in Ireland in 1361, accompanying Lionel of Antwerp to try and restore English control.

Marriages and children
Around 1326, Stafford married his first wife, Katherine de Hastang. Katherine was the daughter of Sir John de Hastang, Knight, of Chebsey, Staffordshire.
Ralph and Katherine had two daughters:
1. Margaret, married Sir John de Stafford, Knight, of Bramshall.
2. Joan, married Sir Nicholas de Beke, Knight.

He later sensationally abducted Margaret de Audley, 2nd Baroness Audley, daughter of Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester and Margaret de Clare, who was worth at least ?2,314 a year, more than ten times his own estates. Her parents filed a complaint with King Edward III of England, but the King supported Stafford's actions. In compensation, the King appeased Hugh and Margaret by creating Hugh the 1st Earl of Gloucester.

Margaret de Audley and Stafford married before 6 July 1336 and they subsequently had two sons and four daughters:
1. Ralph de Stafford (d. 1347), married Maud of Lancaster, daughter of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Isabel de Beaumont in 1344.
2. Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford, born circa 1336 in Staffordshire, England, married Philippa de Beauchamp; they were the ancestors of the Dukes of Buckingham (1444 creation).
3. Elizabeth de Stafford, born circa 1340 in Staffordshire, England, died 7 August 1376, married firstly Fulk le Strange; married secondly, John de Ferrers, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley; married thirdly Reginald de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham.
4. Beatrice de Stafford, born circa 1341 in Staffordshire, England, died 1415, married firstly, in 1350, Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Desmond (d. June 1358); married secondly, Thomas de Ros, 4th Baron de Ros, of Helmsley; married thirdly Sir Richard Burley, Knt.
5. Joan de Stafford, born in 1344 in Staffordshire, England, died 1397, married firstly, John Charleton, 3rd Baron Cherleton; married secondly Gilbert Talbot, 3rd Baron Talbot.
6. Katherine de Stafford, born circa 1348 in Staffordshire, England and died in December 1361. On 25 December 1357, she married Sir John Sutton III (1339 ? c. 1370 or 1376), Knight, Master of Dudley Castle, Staffordshire. Burke reports that she died without issue. However, Burke is often erroneous and incomplete, and later evidence supports that she is the mother of John Sutton IV, 3rd Baron Sutton of Dudley, probably having died in childbirth.

Death
He died on 31 August 1372 at Tonbridge Castle, Kent, England. He was buried at Tonbridge Priory, next to his second wife and her parents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Stafford,_1st_Earl_of_Stafford

Ralph married Margaret AUDLEY on 5 Jul 1336 in Tonbridge Castle, Tonbridge, Kent, England. Margaret (daughter of Hugh DE AUDLEY and Margaret DE CLARE) was born in 1318 in Stafford, Staffordshire, England; was christened in 1347; died on 7 Sep 1349 in Tonbridge, Kent, England; was buried in Sep 1349 in Tonbridge, Kent, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LHDG-NGQ
• Name: Margaret DE AUDLEY
• Name: suo jure Lady Audley
• TitleOfNobility: Bef 6 Jul 1336, Castle Church, Staffordshire, England; Countess of Stafford
• Title: 10 Nov 1347; 2nd Baroness Audley

Notes:

Margaret de Audley, 2nd Baroness Audley and Countess of Stafford (between 1347 and 1351) was an English noblewoman. She was the only daughter of Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester by his wife Lady Margaret de Clare. Her mother was the daughter of Joan of Acre, Princess of England; thus making Margaret a great-granddaughter of King Edward I by his first consort, Eleanor of Castile. As the only daughter and heiress of her father, she succeeded to the title of 2nd Baroness Audley on 10 November 1347.

Marriage and issue
Margaret was abducted by Ralph, Lord Stafford, who had helped Edward III take the throne. At the time, her worth was at least ?2314 a year, which was more than ten times Stafford's own estates. (However, he eventually rose to Earl of Stafford in 1350.) After the abduction, her parents filed a complaint with the king, but Edward supported Stafford. In compensation, the king appeased Hugh and Margaret by creating Hugh the 1st Earl of Gloucester.

Margaret de Audley and Stafford married before 6 July 1336. They subsequently had two sons and four daughters:

1.) Sir Ralph de Stafford (d. 1347), married Maud of Lancaster, daughter of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Isabel of Beaumont in 1344.

2.) Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford, born circa 1336 in Staffordshire, England, married Philippa de Beauchamp; they were the ancestors of the Dukes of Buckingham (1444 creation).

3.) Elizabeth de Stafford, born circa 1340 in Staffordshire, England, died 7 August 1376, married firstly Fulk le Strange; married secondly, John de Ferrers, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley; married thirdly Reginald de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham.

4.) Beatrice de Stafford, born circa 1341 in Staffordshire, England, died 1415, married firstly, in 1350, Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Desmond (d. June 1358); married secondly, Thomas de Ros, 4th Baron de Ros, of Helmsley; married thirdly Sir Richard Burley, Knt.

5.) Joan de Stafford, born in 1344 in Staffordshire, England, died 1397, married firstly, John Charleton, 3rd Baron Cherleton; married secondly Gilbert Talbot, 3rd Baron Talbot.

6.) Katherine de Stafford, born circa 1348 in Staffordshire, England and died in December 1361. Married on 25 December 1357 Sir John de Sutton III (1339-1370 or 1376), Knight, Master of Dudley Castle, Staffordshire. They were parents of Sir John de Sutton IV, hence grandparents of Sir John de Sutton V.

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: L1W9-YZ5
• _UID: 65CAE06A4057430B8A8C5FD7DE34F9A85DC5
• Alt. Buried: 1369, St. Mary's, Warwick, Warwickshire, England; Alt. Buried

Notes:

He was the Earl of Warwick, England.

Thomas married Katherine MORTIMER. Katherine was born on 14 Feb 1313 in Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, England; died on 4 Aug 1369 in Warwick, Warwickshire, England; was buried on 6 Sep 1369 in Beauchamp Chapel, Saint Mary's, Warwickshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LBSJ-C5W