Baldwin d’Eala, Lord Effingham

Baldwin was born in Norwich in 1301, of rather humble origin. He came to the attention of the King when he assisted royal soldiers to put down an insurrection in Norfolk. He then joined the royal army, and saw extensive royal service, remaining unmarried, but became legendary for feats of valour, fighting, gaming, eating drinking, farting and wenching throughout the kingdom.

In 1330, Baldwin was given the job of protective custody of Isabella when she was imprisoned at Castle Rising, It was at this time Baldwin met Sir John of Lancaster. In 1340, Baldwin travelled with the royal army to France and fought in the battle of Sluys. Whilst engaged in that campaign he fought in the retinue of Lord Effingham, who was unfortunately killed in battle. Lord Effingham’s final wish was that Baldwin should accompany his body back to the Lady Beatrix, Lord Effingham’s wife, in England.

Later that year Baldwin was knighted and petitioned the King successfully for Lady Beatrix’s hand in marriage. In the next year, Baldwin, now Lord Effingham realized that Lady “B” was not only wealthy, but very expensive to maintain. She was a very particular (some might say demanding) lady and was very disapproving of his profligate eating, drinking, farting and wenching, which apparently he felt no need to moderate. He therefore asked to be relieved of his duties at Castle Rising, and he subsequently journeyed to Brittany, as part of King Edward’s military support for John de Montfort’s claim as heir to the dukedom.

 In 1342 Baldwin joined Sir John of Lancaster’s retinue and in 1355 Baldwin went to Gascony and fought in the battle of Poitiers. Baldwin, now concerned about rising costs at home takes a new and risky stance in this posting, and accepts a variety of dubious holy relics in lieu of ransoms for vanquished noble opponents - much to the despair and disgust of Lady B when he returned home.

King John of France remains in the custody of the Black Prince in Bordeaux, and Baldwin hastens back to the battlefield after finding his welcome at home not what he expected. Baldwin remains in the retinue of Sir John of Lancaster to this day