Bertram Ashburnham (Constable of Dover Castle)

Bertram Ashburnham or Bertram de Ashburnham (c. 1010 – 1066) was an 11th-century English nobleman who served as the last Anglo-Saxon Constable of Dover Castle for about ten months in 1066 following the coronation of Harold Godwinson.

Betram Ashburnham
1679 copper engraving
Constable of Dover Castle
In office January – October, 1066
Personal details
Born	1010 Ashburnham, East Sussex, England
Died	October 14 ― Early November, 1066 Possibly Hastings, Canterbury, or Dover, England

Biography

Very little is known about the life of Bertram Ashburnham, but it is believed that he was the son of Anchitel de Ashburnham (b. c. 985), his mother being unknown. The name attributed to him directly connects his birthplace to Ashburnham. He is thought to have been married, due to the existence of two sons: one named Philip de Ashburnham born in 1040 and another simply known as Michael born around 1042.^[1]

Some sources claim that Bertram was a Baron of Kent.^[2]

It is said that Bertram was Governor of Dover Castle, possibly under Edward the Confessor as part of the Cinque Ports prior to Harold Godwinson crowning himself king on January 6, 1066. This event caused Harold to bestow the title of Constable upon him.^[3] It is thought that not long after participating in the Battle of Hastings and Godwinson's death on October 14, he was executed by William the Conqueror in Canterbury.^[4] However, some sources state that Bertram was killed during the battle, while others say that he was killed in Dover Castle during the Norman march to Westminster Abbey following their victory.^[5] It is generally believed that Bertram's sons were killed alongside him.

Regardless of the exact time of his death, Bertram's occupation of the aforesaid position would have been somewhat brief, as Norman knight William Peverel would possibly serve for a short period in 1066 following the start of the Norman Conquest of England.^[6] However it is confirmed that Odo of Bayeux, also of Norman origin, would take charge before the end of the year and serve as the Earl of Kent until 1082.^[7]

Preceded by Harold Godwinson	Constable of Dover Castle January – October, 1066	Succeeded by Possibly, William Peverel: Confirmed by the end of the year - Odo de Bayeux