General Notes

Robert de Bellomont, 3rd Earl of Leicester, Lord of Hinchley Bretenne, Poci and the honour of Grentmaisnil. He was surnamed Blanchmaines, from having such white hands. He married Petronillae, or Parnelle de Grentmaisnil, and had the honour of Hinckley, the Stewardship of England, as well as the Manor of Ware, in Hertfordshire, in Petronillae's right. This Robert on the monition of said Petronillae, Countess of Leicester, his wife, and their sons William, Robert and Roger, and daughter Amicia, confirmed to the monastery of St. Ebrulf, amongst other things, the donations of Hugh de Grantemenyle, grandfather of the said Petronillae. This Robert de Bellomont, in the 19th of Henry II, 1173, was in arms against Henry II, when his son Prince Henry was in arms against his father, and being taken prisoner was held in confinement for four years, when he obtained his release and was restored to the King's favour, and had restoration of most of his estates, and finally of all when they were restored by Richard I, at whose coronation this Earl carried one of the swords of state. He died at Duras in Greece, on his return from a journey to Jerusalem in 1190, and his Countess survived him. They had three sons, William, Robert and Roger, who all died sine prole, leaving their two sisters Amicia and Margaret the co-heirs.