Alan the Red (Rufus) one of the companions of the Conqueror was the greatest magnate in the north England and a son founder of the monastery of St Mary’s York, a man good reputation.
His title was, Alan Rufus, Earl of Brittany and Richmond. The Earl of Brittany and Richmond was the first subject in the kingdom of England and next rank to the royal family.
In 1086, Alan Rufus had aided his cousin William the Conqueror to claim his birth right as King of Normandy, England and Scotland. For his services, Alan was given lands, which became the headquarters for Richmond Castle on the River Swale.
Alan Rufus seized a huge swath of northern England at an estimated cost of some 150,000 lives and then left an estate worth £11,000 which computes to £81.3 billion in today’s money.
Alan Rufus, dying without issue in 1089, his immense possessions became vested in his brother Alan Niger, who died 1093, and afterwards in his brother Stephen. Stephen as a great benefactor to Swineshead Abbey and died 1137-8.
Who is Alan Rufus (1040 - 1089)?
