Ralph Basset, 1st Lord Basset of Drayton

Sir Ralph Basset the 1st Lord Basset of Drayton (born before 1265 - 31 December 1299) was an English nobleman of the 13th century who fought in both the Anglo-French War and in the First War of Scottish Independence. He was the son of Ralph Basset and Margaret de Somery.^[1] In 1291, he was granted the governorship of Edinburgh Castle.^[2] He was created 1st Lord Basset of Drayton in 1295.

Governor of Edinburgh Castle

In the political tumult brought about by the various competitors for the Crown of Scotland, Edward I of England was able to gain an advantage. On 11 June 1291 the town and castle of Edinburgh were placed into his hands and he subsequently granted the governorship of Edinburgh Castle to Drayton and the Castle was garrisoned with English soldiers.^[3]

Lord Basset of Drayton

It should be noted, that in some records, this Ralph (IV) is listed as the 2nd Baron Basset of Drayton; His father Ralph (III) being the 1st. The 1st Baron was created by writ of summons to parliament in Dec 1264. This parliament was instigated by Simon de Monfort's parliaments, during the Second Barons' War and several new barony's were created from the men supporting his causes at the time.

Ralph III was killed in the Battle of Evesham with de Montfort's forces, less than a year later. His lands and titles were forfeit by his rebellion but restored to his wife and his son Ralph IV is noted by some to have been restored, in 1295, to his father's title, thus continuing his fathers title and not beginning a new creation.

Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester's summons's and appointments, though debated, were upheld by the British Court in the 19th century, but when challenged again were declared invalid in the early 20th century. Regardless, these men, and their descendants served their rolls under the titles created by Monfort

Notes

1. http://www.thepeerage.com/p11698.htm#i116972
2. Gray, William Forbes (1948). A Short History of Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh: Moray Press. p. 31.
3. Grant, Memorials of the Castle of Edinburgh, pp. 26, 27