Robert de Umfraville
Sir Robert de Umfraville, KG, Lord of Redesdale (c. 1363–1437), was an English knight who spent most of his life defending the border with Scotland during the later stages of the Hundred Years’ War. His family had long ruled parts of northeast England and held estates in Yorkshire; they traced their roots to rulers of Angus and were connected to the Percies, a powerful border family.
He served three English kings. He likely fought at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 with Henry “Hotspur” Percy. After Richard II was deposed, Umfraville loyally supported Henry IV and continued to wage and sometimes negotiate on the Scottish frontier. Under Henry V, he again saw royal service, traveling to France and perhaps taking part in Agincourt, though most of his work remained on the Scottish border.
Umfraville was famous for his martial skill and political acumen. He led deep raids into Scotland, destroying Peebles and its market and earning the nickname “Robin Mendmarket” for the booty he brought back. He married Isabella, but they had no children. His nephew Gilbert, his closest relative, died at the Battle of Baugé in 1421, and Robert later inherited Gilbert’s lands.
The king valued him highly. Henry IV kept him in royal service for life with a £40 annuity, and he was knighted and made a life keeper of Berwick Castle, with responsibilities at Warkworth Castle and the Langley lordship. He also served overseas at sea as part of a naval action against Scotland and was captain of Roxburgh. He is known to have been present at the siege of Harfleur in 1415 and may have fought at Agincourt; he indentured to serve in Normandy through 1417.
After 1417, Umfraville returned to the border, helping repel a Scottish raid on Berwick and then conducting aggressive retaliatory raids into southern Scotland, culminating in the 1419 destruction of Peebles. He was admired as a brave and just leader who also sought peace at home.
By 1419 he was married to Isabella, and the couple had no children. He played a key role in a border feud between the Heron and Manners families (1428–1431), acting for Heron’s widow in negotiations that led to a settlement. In 1426 the king thanked him for his services, and in 1436 he was again charged with arranging a truce with Scotland.
Umfraville died on 27 January 1437 and was buried at Newminster Abbey beside his wife, who died in 1438. With no direct heirs, his lands passed to a distant relative, Sir William Tailboys, though much of his property had been ravaged by years of warfare. His Garter stall was later given to Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, in 1438.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:27 (CET).