History Is Present

Ida de Tosny

Ida de Tosny was born in Norfolk in 1157 to Ralph V de Tosny and Margaret de

Beaumont. She was not born into the Bigod clan but married into it and made her mark on this Norfolk Dynasty. Let’s take a look at this Bigod wife.

She was only five when her father died and soon she became a Royal ward and like previous female wards she caught the eye of her guardian; the King of England. Ida was 15 when she became Henry II’s mistress and she bore him a son in 1176 who was christened William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury.

Ida was given in marriage to Roger Bigod during Christmas 1181 but she had to leave her first born child behind in the Royal nursery. This must have been heartbreaking for her and I can imagine the pain of being forced to leave your child and not get to watch them grow up.

Soon the couple were blessed with a son Hugh in 1182 within the year of the marriage. Soon more children followed William, Ralph, Roger, Margery, Mary and Alice.

She was a determined woman. From royal ward to mistress of the King of England to the wife of a loyal man who I believe she loved. So how did she put her mark on the family.

Ida was a very important figure in her children’s childhood. She had to be mother and father when Roger was taken as one of the many hostages by the German Emperor until the ransom money for Richard III could be paid.

She died in 1199 at Framlingham in Suffolk.

Unfortunaly we know little about Ida’s life but I am sure it is an fascinating story and I will find out more for you and share my findings with all of you.