Welcome to Norman Connections... Discover Norman History
Back to Famous Characters
You are here Home / Characters / Famous Characters / Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl Of Norfolk

Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk

 Previous Character   Next Character 
  • Lifespan

    1145 - 1221

DID YOU KNOW?
Roger Bigod's wife, Isa de Tosny, was one of Henry II's mistresses.
Why are they famous?
Roger Bigod was one of the parties to enforce the Magna Carta on the King. During the 1215 revolt, Norwich Castle was seized and put in charge of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, and John FitzHerbert. Prince Louis, heir to the French throne and later King Louis VIII, captured the castle and plundered the town.

On Richard I's accession in 1189, Roger was made Earl of Norfolk and Constable of Norwich Castle, continuing a family tradition. He inherited his father Hugh Bigod's position as royal steward, and built Framlingham Castle in Suffolk. In 1214, Roger sided with the feudal barons who rebelled against King John. Roger and his son Hugh were excommunicated by the Pope for their part in the revolt. By 1217, he had made peace with the new King Henry III and was reinstated as Constable.

European Regional Development Fund
The European Union, investing in your future European Union Flag Interreg Fonds Européen De Développement Régional
L’Union Européenne investit dans votre avenir
The Norman Connections project was selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme
INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England, co-funded by the ERDF.