Research Notes:

The Red Book of the Exchequer records enfeoffments in the duchy of Normandy in [1172], "Wakelinus de Ferariis" with 5 knights and 42 knights in his own service. "…Walchelino de Ferrariis…" subscribed the charter dated to [1182/89] under which Henry II King of England confirmed the possessions of the abbey of Barbery. ¹

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The role of Lechlade hospital was intertwined with the fortunes of the Mortimer children and with the utility of the manor itself. Lechlade (Gloucestershire), with Longborough, was the lesser of the two estates that had constituted the English barony of Isabella's father, Walkelin de Ferrers. The second estate, at Oakham (Rutland), gave the barony its name and had been the focus of Walkelin's attention. It was here that he built his fortified hall, completed shortly before his death in 1201 and still surviving. He entrusted Lechlade to his younger son, Hugh (d. 1204). The estates escheated to the Crown as a Norman estate when Isabella's eldest brother chose to remain in the lost duchy, but Isabella intervened to purchase the manors at considerable cost from King John. In contrast to the father, Isabella gave priority to Lechlade over Oakham, clearly preferring the former's proximity to the lands of her husband, Roger de Mortimer, Baron of Wigmore, a marcher lord whose main estates and royal offices were held in Herefordshire and Shrophshire.... ²

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Isabel's father Walkelin de Ferrers had had two sons, Henry the elder and Hugh the younger. Walkelin, wishing to advance his younger son, had granted him Lechlade. It was to be held from Walkelin and his heirs in hereditary right. After Walkelin's death (in 1201) Hugh had done homage to his elder brother, Henry, as his lord and sought his confirmation. He had then remained in possession all his life and (in 1204) had died in seisin without heirs of his body. On this Isabel had succeeded as his heir 'because Henry who was then alive could not be both lord and heir.' ³