Gerard de Camville

Who is Gerard de Camville?

Gerard de Camville was an English nobleman, judge, and supporter of King John.

His father was Richard de Camville, a baron and administrator under Kings Stephen and Henry II. The name Camville occurs in the Battle Abbey Roll.

Gerard married Nicholaa, daughter of Richard de Haia, in 1185; this was her second marriage. By this marriage he acquired estates in Normandy and Lincolnshire, the wardship of Lincoln Castle and perhaps the shrievalty of Lincolnshire. The titles were confirmed by a charter from King Richard in 1189.

During King Richard's absence from England, de Camville became a decided adherent of John. As a result, in 1191 William Longchamp removed him from the shrievalty, and attempted to take Lincoln Castle. The castle was stoutly defended by Nicholaa, Camville himself being with John until the fall of Nottingham and Tickhill compelled Longchamp to raise the siege. Camville was excommunicated the same year.

On the king's return to England in 1194 Camville was deprived of the castellanship of Lincoln Castle and was arraigned by Longchamp at Nottingham on a charge of harbouring robbers and treating the king's writ with contempt.