Haimo

Who was Haimo?

Haimo or Hamo was an Anglo-Norman royal official under both King William I of England and King William II of England. He held the office of dapifer, or seneschal, as well as the office of Sheriff of Kent.

Haimo was the son of Haimo Dentatus, a Norman lord who held Torigny-sur-Vire near Manche in Normandy. The elder Haimo rebelled against Duke William, later King William I, and died about 1047.

Haimo was steward to both King William I and William II. He was in the office of steward by 1069. Haimo was appointed to the office of Sheriff of Kent in 1077, and held it until his death. During William II's reign, Haimo was one of five known stewards, the others were Eudo, Eudo's brother Hubert of Ryes, Roger Bigod, and Ivo Taillebois.

The historian Emma Mason argues that Haimo, along with Ranulf Flambard, Urse d'Abetot, Robert Fitzhamon, Roger Bigod, and Eudo Dapifer, were the first recognizable barons of the Exchequer, during King William II's reign. These men were often associated in government together, witnessing documents and being used by William II as officials. Haimo witnessed six of William II's writs. Haimo's involvement in the higher levels of government dates especially from William II's absence from England in the late 1090s. In 1099, when William was in Normandy, Haimo was one of the main assistants to Flambard, who was left in charge of England in the king's absence.