• General Notes

  Sir Foulk D'Oyly the Crusader, the devoted friend and companion in arms of King Richard I. Of this hero of romance various legends remain, and such were his exploits and feats of arms, that Sir Walter Scott introduces him into his tale of Ivanhoe. Sir Foulk D'Oyly sailed with Richard the First, on his crusade to Jerusalem, Sept. 1190, and, after the taking of Acre from the Saracens in 1191, was one of King Richard's favourite knights who acquitted themselves so brilliantly at the tournament held there by Richard; each of whom "ran three courses, and cast to the ground three antagonists, seven of whom were Knights of the Temple."[67] Having been a constant companion of King Richard throughout the expedition, sharing his fortunes fair and foul, his Majesty selected him and Sir Thomas de Multon to accompany him home to England, after the truce had been concluded with Saladin in 1192. But, finding it necessary to pass through Austria in disguise, they had constantly to submit to many degradations, and amongst others were compelled to cook their own food. Thus it is related, while these warriors were busied in roasting a goose, they were teazed by a female minstrel who had intruded upon their solitude. They rudely dismissed her, without allowing her to partake of their good cheer. In consequence of this she betrayed them to the barbarous Leopold, Duke of Austria, and all three were immediately taken prisoners and cast into dungeons; Otho de Saint Blaize mentions that King Richard himself turned the spit, forgetful that he wore a ring, which at once disclosed his exalted rank.[68] The King's history is well known; Sir Thomas de Multon likewise returned to England; but Sir Foulk D'Oyly died in Austria, the victim of cruelty or a broken heart, soon after his imprisonment; leaving issue (possibly illegitimate) who were at once befriended by his friend de Multon, and lived retainers in that noble house for nearly a century after. They were
  1. Foulk D'Oyly of Ercall, co. Salop. (See D'Oyly of Shropshire.)
  2. Geoffry D'Oyly, who married into the de Multon family, and had issue. (See D'Oyly of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.)
  These were undoubtedly the D'Oylys who bore "Argent, a fesse dancettée between three crescents gules,"—allusive to Sir Foulk's bloody, crooked path amidst Saracens.

Details of Foulk's family