Richard Fitz Turold

Richard Fitz Turold (died after 1103–06) (alias fitzThorold, fitzTurolf^[1]) was an eleventh-century Anglo-Norman landowner in Cornwall and Devon, mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the 13th century his estates formed part of the Feudal barony of Cardinham, Cornwall,^[2] and in 1166 as recorded in the Cartae Baronum his estates had been held as a separate fiefdom from Reginald, Earl of Cornwall.^[3]

Origins

As the prefix fitz in his surname suggests he was presumably the son of Turold/Thorold/Turolf.^[4] A certain "Turulf", presumably his father, witnessed a charter to the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, to which same monastery Richard also granted lands.^[5]

Landholdings

Cornwall

Tenant of Count of Mortain

He had a castle at Cardinham in Cornwall,^[6] in which county he was a major tenant and steward of Robert of Mortain, Count of Mortain, half-brother of King William the Conqueror. In 1086 he was Lord (who paid tax to the tenant-in-chief) of 64 settlements, mainly in Cornwall, but also in Devon and Somerset. His holdings in Cornwall included the manor of Penhallam.^[7]

Devon

Tenant-in-chief

His entry in the Devonshire section of the Domesday Book lists Ricardus filius Turoldus^[8] as a tenant-in-chief of the king and holding four properties:^[9]

• Woodhuish, Brixham parish, Haytor hundred
• Natsworthy, Widecombe-in-the-Moor parish, Haytor hundred
• East Allington, in Stanborough hundred
• One house in the City of Exeter

Mesne tenant

• St Marychurch in the parish of Haytor hundred, held from the Count of Mortain.^[10]
• Martin in Drewsteignton parish, Wonford hundred, held from Baldwin de Moeles, Sheriff of Devon^[11]

Progeny

His son was William Fitz Richard of Cardinham, mentioned in deeds in 1110 and 1130, date of death unknown.^[12] It has been suggested that William's daughter and heiress became the wife of Reginald, Earl of Cornwall.^[13]