Medium aevum -- Medieval or The Middle Ages. We think of knights in shining armor, lavish banquets, wandering minstrels, kings, queens, bishops, monks, pilgrims, and glorious pageantry...
The Folvilles were sons of a noble aristocrat who died and left his inheritance to his oldest son as custom demanded. The problem with this tradition was that other sons of aristocrats have fewer options with which to make money. There was always the church or the military, but becoming an outlaw was also an option. However, he had six other sons who then became a gang who robbed others, kidnapped, raped and killed terrorizing the area in which they worked. It must be noted that they were certainly not the only gang of gentry 'outlaws' that were operating at the time. They were one of several gangs from the 'higher' ranking class and so were able to have political influence and even protection for other high ranking individuals. The Folvilles were also protected by Robert De Vere, who was the constable of the castle Rockingham. The Folville's leader Eustace Folville was credited with five murders which include the murder of Sir Roger Bellere as well as robbery, ransom and rape to. After sixteen years of crime, the Folville gang members (that were still living) were pardoned for military service to the king... and Eustace Folville was even eventually knighted for exceptional military service. His reputation and the reputation of his gang had very much improved by the time of his death. Eustace Folville and his gang appear to be the basis for the myth/story of 'Robin Hood and his Merry Men'. This gang is important because they are really a representation symbol for the people of that time. To the population at large, the Folvilles became a gang with a law unto themselves. Those they killed were considered more corrupt than the killers. To many people, the Folvilles may have broken the legal laws... but they were following God's law. They became a symbol for the populace of a period of time where the forests were free and useable and the populace did not feel as oppressed as they did at that time under Norman rule.
Medieval Times
27 members
Description
Who were the Folvilles? The Folville Gang
by Dept of PMM Artists & things
Nov 16, 2013
Who were the Folvilles? The Folville Gang
The Folvilles were sons of a noble aristocrat who died and left his inheritance to his oldest son as custom demanded. The problem with this tradition was that other sons of aristocrats have fewer options with which to make money. There was always the church or the military, but becoming an outlaw was also an option. However, he had six other sons who then became a gang who robbed others, kidnapped, raped and killed terrorizing the area in which they worked. It must be noted that they were certainly not the only gang of gentry 'outlaws' that were operating at the time. They were one of several gangs from the 'higher' ranking class and so were able to have political influence and even protection for other high ranking individuals. The Folvilles were also protected by Robert De Vere, who was the constable of the castle Rockingham. The Folville's leader Eustace Folville was credited with five murders which include the murder of Sir Roger Bellere as well as robbery, ransom and rape to. After sixteen years of crime, the Folville gang members (that were still living) were pardoned for military service to the king... and Eustace Folville was even eventually knighted for exceptional military service. His reputation and the reputation of his gang had very much improved by the time of his death. Eustace Folville and his gang appear to be the basis for the myth/story of 'Robin Hood and his Merry Men'. This gang is important because they are really a representation symbol for the people of that time. To the population at large, the Folvilles became a gang with a law unto themselves. Those they killed were considered more corrupt than the killers. To many people, the Folvilles may have broken the legal laws... but they were following God's law. They became a symbol for the populace of a period of time where the forests were free and useable and the populace did not feel as oppressed as they did at that time under Norman rule.