General Notes

Ranulph or Randle II, 4th Earl of Chester, surnamed Gernouns, because hewas born at Gernon Castle in Normandy, succeeded his father in theEarldom of Chester and in all his patrimony, both in England andNormandy. This nobleman was a leading military character, and took anactive part with the Empress Maud and Prince Henry, her son, against KingStephen. Later Ranulph II became reconciled with Stephen. He came to theKing and desired pardon for his rebellion at Lincoln and for seizing hissovereign's possessions and thereupon was received into favour. Infurther testimony he helped the king's forces and gallantly assaulted thetown of Bedford, and delivered it into Stephen's hands. But for all thisfriendship, Randle was suspected of Stephen because he surrendered notthe castles and rents which he had taken, and because of the Earl'swavering and unstable mind, so that neither the king nor his primecouncillors durst rely on him. Seeing himself suspected of treason helater turned against Stephen. He died Dec. 16, 1153, distrusted by bothsides and supposed to have been poisoned by his wife and William Peveralof Nottingham. Maud, his widow, died July 29, 1189. She was daughter ofRobert, son of Henry I.