Richard Fitz Turold


Richard Fitz Turold was an eleventh-century Anglo-Norman landowner in Cornwall and Devon, mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the 13th century his estates formed part of the Feudal barony of Cardinham, Cornwall, and in 1166 as recorded in the Cartae Baronum his estates had been held as a separate fiefdom from Reginald, Earl of Cornwall.

Origins

As the prefix fitz in his surname suggests he was presumably the son of Turold/Thorold/Turolf. A certain "Turulf", presumably his father, witnessed a charter to the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, to which same monastery Richard also granted lands.

Landholdings

Cornwall

Tenant of Count of Mortain

He had a castle at Cardinham in Cornwall, in which county he was a major tenant and steward of Robert of Mortain, Count of Mortain, half-brother of King William the Conqueror. His holdings in Cornwall included the manor of Penhallam.

Devon

Tenant-in-chief

His entry in the Devonshire section of the Domesday Book lists Ricardus filius Turoldus as a tenant-in-chief of the king and holding four properties:
His son was William Fitz Richard of Cardinham, mentioned in deeds in 1110 and 1130, date of death unknown. It has been suggested that William's daughter and heiress became the wife of Reginald, Earl of Cornwall.