Ralph Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford

Ralph de Stafford
1st Earl of Stafford
2nd Baron Stafford
Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, KG. Illustration from the Bruges Garter Book, c. 1430. He displays the arms of Stafford on his tunic.
Born24 September 1301
Died31 August 1372 (aged 70)
BuriedTonbridge Priory, Kent
Noble familyStafford
Spouse(s)Katherine de Hastang
Margaret de Audley (m. 1336)
IssueMargaret Stafford
Joan Stafford
Ralph de Stafford
Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford
Katherine Stafford
Elizabeth Stafford
Beatrice Stafford
Joan Stafford
FatherEdmund de Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford
MotherMargaret Bassett
Arms of Stafford: Or, a chevron gules
Remains of Madeley Castle in Staffordshire, now known as "Madeley Old Manor", for which the 1st Earl received a licence to crenellate in February 1347/8, together with Stafford Castle, "and to make castles of them".[1] Red Sandstone ashlar blocks with external doorway with portcullis groove and chamfered arch at its north end. This fragment is believed to have formed part of the 1st Earl's castle, namely the west external wall and gateway.[2]

Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford (24 September 1301 – 31 August 1372), KG, of Stafford Castle and Madeley Castle[3] in Staffordshire, was an English nobleman and a notable soldier during the Hundred Years' War against France.

  1. ^ Cokayne, The Complete Peerage, new edition, vol. XII[volume & issue needed], p. 175
  2. ^ See listed building text
  3. ^ Licence to crenellate, see Cokayne, The Complete Peerage, new edition, vol. XII, p. 175