Swein of Essex

  Noted events in his life were:

• Background Information. ¹³⁹⁰
After the death of Robert Fitz Wimarch's death, King William gave Sweyn his father's title of Shrievalty of Essex and added to his paternal inheritance. Sweyn de Essex was living during the date of the Domeday record in 1086. Sweyn was succeeded by his son Robert de Essex.

Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History, Volume II, pp. 16-17

• Background Information. ¹²⁷⁹
Before 1066 Theydon Mountwas held by Godric as a manor and as 3 hides and 80 acres. After the Conquest it was given by William I to Robert Fitz Wimarc, who was still alive in 1069 but had been succeeded in or before 1075 by his son Swein. Robert was Sheriff of Essex and the office was later held by Swein. [V.C.H. Essex, i, 490b; J. H. Round, Cal. Docs. France, 21; Freeman, Norman Conquest, iv, 736] Swein made his castle at Rayleigh, which became the head of his honor and from that time the manor of Theydon Mount was always held of the Honor of Rayleigh. [Cf. Wards 5/3/1203 (Feodary Survey Apr. 1632)] In 1086 the manor was held of Swein by one Robert. [V.C.H. Essex, i, 490b.] Swein was succeeded by his son Robert of Essex, the founder of Prittlewell Priory, and Robert of Essex was succeeded by his son Henry of Essex. [J. H. Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, 391] In 1163 Henry of Essex, then Constable of England, failed to clear himself of a charge of cowardice during a war against the Welsh, and was deprived of all his lands. [This paragraph is based on A. L. Browne, 'The de Theydon Family', E.A.T. n.s. xxi, 84-88 and J. H. Round, 'The Manor of Theydon Mount', ibid. xii, 198-202. For Henry de Essex see p. 287]

History of the County of Essex, Volume IV, pp. 276-281