Baron Montalt
Baron Montalt (sometimes given as Mohault) was a title that was created twice in the Peerage of England.
History
The first creation of the title was for Roger de Montalt, who was summoned to parliament on 23 June 1295. On his death two years later, the barony became extinct. The second creation was for Robert de Montalt, who was summoned to parliament on 6 February 1299. He was the younger brother of the first baron of the 1295 creation. On his death thirty years later, the barony became extinct. He died of his wounds after fighting a duel against Robert de Malberthorp. (He was the son and heir of Sir William of Malberthorpe, lord of the manor of Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, which was located on the site of the present Mablethorpe Hall) at Earls Bridge on the outskirts of Mablethorpe Lincolnshire. Both men died of their wounds. Robert de Montalt was buried at All Saints Church in Maltby Le Marsh. He buried in the chancel; his tomb is the one that has the effigy of an cross-legged knight wearing chain mail and surcoat. At his head are two angels by the pillow and at his feet two lions biting each other.
Robert de Malberthorp was buried at Saint Mary's Parish Church in Mablethorpe. There is an effigy of Sir Robert in the chancel of the church; the head of the figure rests on a pillow upheld by angels, and beneath the feet are two dragons engaged in fierce combat. The tail of the one impaled by the spur of the knight, while the foot resting on the back of the other.
The De Montalts and the De Malberthorps were two of Mablethorpe's most noble families; however, the two families had an feud which lasted for 96 years after their ancestors had quarrelled who would present the next rectors of Saint Mary's and Saint Peter's Parish Churches. The feud started when Roger de Montalt and Thomas son of Endo de Malberthorp in 1233, had quarrelled about the right of presenting the Rector of St Mary’s and an decision was made that Thomas should present the Rector who was Richard de Wyverton. The feud came to an conclusion when on 26 December 1329, Robert de Montalt had met Robert de Malberthorp on the bridge(two miles from the west of Mablethorpe), Robert De Montalt had accused Robert De Malberthorp of cowardice in battle and told him to get out of his way, Robert De Malberthorp resented the unjust rumour and refused to move, Robert De Montalt began to have doubts, but he did not dare to withdraw the charge as if he did, his five-week bride would think him afraid.
The duel would settle the matter and whoever survived the duel would gain "satisfaction", by restoring one's honour by demonstrating a willingness to risk one's life for it. The De Montalts stood on the side of earls bridge towards Maltby le Marsh and the Malberthorps stood on the side nearest to Mablethorpe. The two Earls duelled in ghastly determination and both men understood of which in open conflict, one of the earls had to kill the other one and that one of them would not be crossing the bridge alive. Records state that both earls attacked at each other like lions with so much energy that they were evenly matched and experienced in weapons and the harsh cry of swords against armour and they fought for hours but at last a sword stroke from each took its toll at the same time and the two knights fell dead together.
Robert’s de Montalt’s nephew Robert de Morley inherited his uncle's lands. Robert De Malberthorp's daughter Elizabeth, who was married Thomas Fitzwilliam of Sprotbrough near Doncaster in Yorkshire), inherited her father's manor and lands in Mablethorpe. The Fitzwilliam family lived at Mablethorpe for 290 years.
The Montalt Manor and lands once owned by the Montalt family and the advowson of St Marys that went with it changed hands frequently. It is not difficult to suggest the reasons why this occurred. Serious flooding took place again during this period and much farm land must have been destroyed, making Mablethorpe and district very poor.
In 1332, a subsidy roll was made; in that year a tax was lived on freeholders, Sokemen and the wealthier villains. Only seven places in Lindsey had more than 100 taxpayers. In August 1335 the sea broke through the banks off Mablethorpe causing flooding, drowning sheep and cows and destroying crops. This flood lasted two or more days.
When Robert Morley presented one of his relations named William to be chaplain of the chantry chapel of Saint Lawrence at St Marys Church, William was assigned the task of praying for the souls of the de Malberthorp's family. This was probably due to the founding the chantry in 1316.
In 1335, of serious flooding when King Edward the 3rd of England confirmed an agreement whereby Robert Morley was granted permission to exchanged the Montalt manor of Mablethorpe for Queens Isabella’s manor of Framsden in Suffolk. The agreement also stated that she acquired rent and services of land held by Elizabeth de Malberthorp and her husband Thomas Flitzwilliam the 3rd (Elizabeth had inherited her father’s Roberts Manor and lands). Queen Isabel had brought the Montalt Manor to spend time with the Fitzwilliams as they were related to the Plantagenets threw the blood line of King Henry the 2nd's half-brother Hamelin de Gatinais.
Baron Montalt (1295)
- Roger de Montalt, 1st Baron Montalt (1265–1297)
Baron Montalt (1299)
- Robert de Montalt, 1st Baron Montalt (1270–1329)