Engelard de Cigogné was a 13th century Norman French-born administrator serving King John of England.
He was born in France, a relative (son or nephew) of Gérard d'Athée, a trusted lieutenant of King John. John arranged for Gerard and his relatives to follow him to England in 1207. Engelard was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire in 1210, following on from Gérard. The whole family of Gérard, including Engelard, came to be generally disliked as foreign born officials and were referred to as the king's "evil counsellors".[1]
Following the Barons' Revolt the Magna Carta was drawn up in 1215 in which the king made a number of commitments to meet the barons' demands. Item 58 specifically promised that Gérard Athée and his whole family would henceforth be banned from office. Accordingly Engelard was duly relieved of his shrievalties in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.[1]
The barons had meanwhile invited King Louis of France to be King of England in place of John and the French king duly occupied southern England and besieged the castles of Odiham, Dover and Windsor. As constable of Windsor Engelard led its resistance to a besieging force led by the Count of Nevers until the besiegers left to pursue other objectives.[1]
After peace was restored Engelard was rewarded for his services by being given the manor of Benson in Oxfordshire. He was then appointed High Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire in 1233. He had married Agatha and had a son, Oliver.[1]