The Baynard family - Lackham Countryside Centre

The Baynards of Lackham
The first Baynard recorded in England was Ralph
A valient Norman [who] came over with the conqueror
as Ordericus Vitalis in his historie of Normandy
receiteth; and was by the said king rewarded for his
faithfull services” 3 .
A less flattering version is that he was
one of those greedy and warlike Normans who came
over with the Conqueror, who bestowed on him many
marks of favour, among others the substantial gift of
the barony of Little Dunmow, in Essex 4
Ralph Baignard appears on the inscription, in Dives sur Mer,
supposedly recording the barons who accompanied William. However
proof of Ralph is to be found in the Charter Rolls; he is mentioned in
one, dated to 1075-1085, by name 5 . He built one of the three
Norman castles located in London, Baynard's Castle, near Paul's
Wharf. (The others were the White Tower in the Tower of London,
and one called Montfitcher tower, located just north of Baynard’s
Castle.) There is still a Ward in London called Castle Baynard, and
3 The Gentleman’s Magazine (1826, vol 1) May 4 pp418-419
From material drawn up by John Philipott the Somerset Herald (no date given),
Bowles finishes his account with “This pedigree was sent to me by my kinswoman
the lady Mary Montagu late wife of James Mountague esquire sole daughter and
heir of Sir Robert Baynard”
4 Thornbury, W (1878) Old and New London vol 1 p281
5
Calendar Charter Rolls vol v 15 Edw III- 5 Henry V 1341-1417 p16
Confirmation of a charter dated 1075-85
2 W rex Anglorum Hugoi episcopo et Radulfo Baynard et fidelibus londonii
salute Dono et concede ecclesie Sancti Martinin Londoniesis totam terram et
moram extra Crepelesgatam ex utraque parte porte inter murum et rivulum
fontium usque adaquam curren temque itrat in civitatem ad curtellagium canoni
corum faciendum solutam etquie tam sicut dominicum monasterii pro anima
buspatris et matrismee
8