Simeon of Durham names "Cospatric son of Maldred son of Crinan" when recording that he was appointed Earl of Northumberland. His parentage is given by Roger of Hoveden.
He paid William I King of England a heavy fine so he could succeed as Earl of Northumberland in Dec 1067, although he did have a hereditary claim through his mother's family. He rebelled against King William and joined the invading Norwegians who sailed up the river Humber in Sep 1069 and captured York by storm. Orderic Vitalis records that “Rodbertus Ricardi filius Eboracensis præsidii custos” was killed, that “Marius Suenus, Gaius Patricius, Edgarus Adelinus, Archillus et quatuor filii Karoli” attacked “munitionem regis in Eboraco”, and that “Willelmus cognomento Maletus, præses castrensis regi” announced to the king that he would be forced to withdraw unless reinforcements were sent, dated to 1069. Orderic Vitalis records that “Suenus rex Danorum” sent a fleet led by “duos...filios suos et Osbernum fratrem suum” to attack England, that they were repulsed at Dover, Sandwich and Ipswich, and at Norwich by “Radulfus de Guader”, that they were joined by “Adelinus, Guallevus, Siguardus” but defeated on the Humber, entered York headed by “Guallevus...Gaius Patricius, Marius Suenus, Elnocinus, Archillus et quatuor filii Karoli” but were eventually expelled, dated to 1069, a later passage adding that “Guallevus præsens et Gaius Patricius absens” made peace with King William at the river Tees. In [Oct/Nov] 1072 old charges were brought against him and he was deprived of the earldom of Northumberland, fleeing to Scotland. Simeon of Durham records that he fled to Malcolm King of Scotland who granted him "Dunbar with the lands adjacent in Lothian".
Gospatrick married a sister of Edmund, daughter of ----. Her family connection is confirmed by the charter dated Feb 1136 under which King Stephen confirmed the donation by "Gospatricio fr[atr]I Dolfini" of "terram Edmundi avunculi sui" and "terram Liolfi filii Uctredi". 1
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