Gilbert Basset

  General Notes:

~A Synopsis of peerage of England, Vol. I, p.43, Baron by Tenure, reign of Henry II, younger son or grandson of Ralph Basset, Justice of England, living 1165 ⁸⁴⁹

  Information about this person:

• Background Information: of Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England. ⁸⁵⁴
Gilbert Basset, the younger son of Ralph Basset, who is often called the Justice of England, held seven knight's fees of the honor of Wallingford granted to him during the time of Miles Crispin. The knights' fees consisted of the manors of Coleman and Uxbridge in Middlesex, Pinchelesborne, Burncestre (Bicester), Stratton, and Wrechwike, in the county of Oxford; Ardington, in Berkshire; and Compton in Wilts. The possession of so many knights' fees show the extent of military service which the holder was prepared to render. As a feudatory vassal of Brien Fitzcount, he was present in most of the campaigns of Fitzcount.

Gilbert Basset gave two parts of his tithe of Stratton, with the whole title of his wool and cheese in all his lands to the Abbey of Ensham, in Oxfordshire. These donations, with the tithe of Thame, Banbury, and other places were confirmed by royal charter.

~The History of Wallingford, p. 226

• Background Information. ⁸⁵⁵
Gilbert Basset was a younger son of Ralph Basset, the Baron Weldon. Gilbert marrying into the d'Oily family, and because of this marriage, gained a grant of some of the lands held by Robert d'Oily. This grant consisted of seven Knights' Fee, of the Honor of Wallingford, by way of the manors of coleham and Uxbridge in Middlesex, Pickelshorne in Bucks, Burncestre, Wrrecwic and Stratton in Oxon, Ardington in berks, and Comtpon in Wilts.

Gilbert build a house as a residence for himself with the manor of Bercestre surrounded by a moat and a small inclosure or park, and had a chapel or oratory attached to it. Gilbert resided in this house for more than a half center. Under his superior lord, Brien Fitz Count, he took active part in most of the battles of the civil war during the reign of King Stephen on the side of Empress Maud.

Gilbert was a generous benefactor to religious houses and Abbeys of the area. He died in 1162 and was succed by his eldest son, Thomas Basset.

~Deanery of Bicester, Part II, History of Bicester, its town and Priory, pp. 2-3

Gilbert married Edith d’Oyly, daughter of Robert d’Oyly Constable of Oxford and Edith de Greystoke, in 1137.⁸⁶⁵ (Edith d’Oyly was born about 1094 in Norton, Oxfordshire, England and died after 1165.)