GIFFARD, Sir John
1301 - Aft 1369 (> 68 years)
Loading...
Set As Default Person 
Restore Site Default Person
-
Name GIFFARD, John [1] Title Sir Birth 1301 Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England 
[2] Gender Male _MILT 26 Mar 1338 Buckinghamshire, England John was ordered to organize or "array" a group of soldiers in Buckinghamshire (co. Bucks) for the war against France. This group consisted of 10 men-at-arms (heavily armored soldiers), 20 armed men (likely less heavily armored), and 40 archers. Wars 1346 John was a knight who joined King Edward III of England in his military campaign in France. He fought in the Battle of Crécy in 1346, one of the major battles of the Hundred Years' War, and was part of the division directly commanded by the King. Civil Between 1349 and 1361 Buckinghamshire, England John was a Commissioner of the Peace in Buckinghamshire. This role involved maintaining law and order, similar to a judge or magistrate today. Web Address https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gifford-1068 _MILT 14 Mar 1360 Buckinghamshire, England John was again responsible for organizing military forces in Buckinghamshire for the ongoing war with France _MILT 1368 Buckinghamshire, England Along with Reynold de Grey (another nobleman), John was once more tasked with the duty of assembling military forces, indicating his continued involvement in military preparations and possibly the ongoing conflict with France. Death Aft 5 Jan 1369 Person ID I17569 My Genealogy Last Modified 4 Feb 2024
Father LE BOEF, Sir John Giffard, b. Abt 24 Jun 1277, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England d. Aft 30 Mar 1328, Gloucestershire, England (Age > 51 years) Relationship natural Mother DE GARDINIS, Alexandra d. 1328 Relationship natural Family ID F12920 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family DE MORTEYN, Lucy, b. Abt 1305, Bedfordshire, England d. Aft 8 Mar 1361, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England (Age > 56 years) Children + 1. GIFFARD, Sir Thomas, b. Abt 1344, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England d. 25 Sep 1394 (Age 50 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]Family ID F12897 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 4 Feb 2024
-
Event Map 
Birth - 1301 - Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England 
_MILT - John was ordered to organize or "array" a group of soldiers in Buckinghamshire (co. Bucks) for the war against France. This group consisted of 10 men-at-arms (heavily armored soldiers), 20 armed men (likely less heavily armored), and 40 archers. - 26 Mar 1338 - Buckinghamshire, England Civil - John was a Commissioner of the Peace in Buckinghamshire. This role involved maintaining law and order, similar to a judge or magistrate today. - Between 1349 and 1361 - Buckinghamshire, England _MILT - John was again responsible for organizing military forces in Buckinghamshire for the ongoing war with France - 14 Mar 1360 - Buckinghamshire, England _MILT - Along with Reynold de Grey (another nobleman), John was once more tasked with the duty of assembling military forces, indicating his continued involvement in military preparations and possibly the ongoing conflict with France. - 1368 - Buckinghamshire, England = Link to Google Earth
-
Albums 
Knights and Nobility (3)
Royals are/were the monarchs and their immediate family. See the following Wiki article re: royalty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_family
Nobles are/were the highest social class and generally held land or an office in exchange for allegiance and services to a monarch or higher-ranking nobleman. See the following Wiki article re: nobility: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobility
Nobility and Knights: Understanding Their Roles and Distinctions
Nobility is a broad social class that includes individuals holding titles, typically hereditary but sometimes granted by a monarch. Positioned immediately below royalty, this class encompasses ranks such as dukes, earls, and counts in the British system. While it's rare for commoners to ascend into nobility, history has seen such occurrences due to factors like wealth, military prowess, or royal favor.
Knights represent a distinct class within the nobility. They were essentially professional cavalrymen, often of high birth, who achieved their privileged military status after undergoing rigorous training as a page and squire. The journey to knighthood involved several stages:
As a Page: A young boy would start learning about horses, hunting, and weaponry.
Becoming a Squire: Around age 14, showing potential, he would assist a full knight, honing his skills with weapons and armor.
Knighthood: Between ages 18 and 21, he could be knighted by a lord or another knight, typically in an elaborate initiation ceremony.
Knights were renowned as the most-feared and best-protected warriors on medieval battlefields. They were expected to uphold the chivalric traditions of bravery, strength, skill in battle, respect for women, defense of the weak and poor, and generosity. Off the battlefield, knights were known for their chivalry, often wealthy and of high status. Their roles extended to guarding a baron and his castle, fighting in wars for their sovereign and the Church, and participating in medieval tournaments.
-
Notes - Sir John Gifford, born around 1301, was a prominent figure in 14th-century England. He was the son of Sir John Gifford of Twyford, Buckinghamshire, and his wife, Alexandra.
John Gifford's life was characterized by his active involvement in military and political affairs of the time. He inherited the family estates upon his father's death, which included Twyford in Buckinghamshire, amongst others. This inheritance not only brought wealth but also responsibilities and opportunities for greater involvement in the affairs of the realm.
In 1338, during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, Gifford was tasked with assembling a military contingent from Buckinghamshire. This contingent included 10 men-at-arms, 20 armed men, and 40 archers, a significant force indicating his standing and influence in the county. His military role continued as he accompanied King Edward III to France, participating in the King's division at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, a pivotal battle where the English longbowmen played a decisive role.
Gifford's service extended beyond the battlefield. He was appointed as a commissioner of the peace in Buckinghamshire in 1349, 1351, and 1361, a role that involved maintaining law and order in the county. His responsibilities grew as he was named one of the commissioners of array in Buckinghamshire for the French War on 14 March 1360. This position involved organizing and equipping troops for military service, a crucial task during the ongoing conflict with France.
In 1368, Gifford, alongside Reynold de Grey of Ruthyn, was again appointed as a commissioner of array. This repeated appointment underscores his continued importance in military matters and his reliability as a royal servant.
Sir John Gifford's life reflects the typical career of a knight in medieval England, where military service, land management, and local governance were intertwined. His involvement in key historical events like the Battle of Crécy and his various administrative roles highlight his significance in the political and military landscape of 14th-century England.
- Sir John Gifford, born around 1301, was a prominent figure in 14th-century England. He was the son of Sir John Gifford of Twyford, Buckinghamshire, and his wife, Alexandra.
-
Sources - [S1747] Gary Boyd Roberts, The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, (Name: Genealogical Publishing Company; Location: Baltimore, Maryland; Date: 2018;), Volume II; pgs 857-858.
- [S2709] Frederick Lewis Weis, Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America Before 1700; Eighth Edition, (Date: 2004;), Lines 41-43; pages 49-52.
- [S1747] Gary Boyd Roberts, The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, (Name: Genealogical Publishing Company; Location: Baltimore, Maryland; Date: 2018;), Volume II; pgs 857-858.