The Bigod Family

Roger Bigod was the founder of a great baronial dynasty. His family came from Calvados in Normandy and after receiving the patronage of Bishop Odo he served three Norman kings. By 1086 Roger held a large honour from the king in East Anglia, where he was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. Although joining Bishop Odo's revolt in 1087, he served at William Rufus's court. Before his death in 1107 Roger was given the honour of Framlingham in Suffolk by Henry I. Roger's eldest son William was lost in the White Ship disaster in 1120, but his younger son Hugh (born c.1094) inherited the Bigod estates. In 1138 Hugh was made Earl of Norfolk by King Stephen and may have begun the construction of the great keep at Norwich castle. In 1141, after the battle of Lincoln, he transferred his allegiance to Matilda. His status was recognised by Henry II in 1155, but in 1157 Hugh was forced to surrender all his castles including Norwich. In 1173 he joined the revolt against the king and died in 1177. In c.1190 Hugh's son, the second Earl of Norfolk reconstructed Framlingham castle which can still be seen today.