Definition
Aubrey de Vere II (fl. early 12th century) was an Anglo‑Norman nobleman, the son of Aubrey de Vere I and the father of Aubrey de Vere, 1st Earl of Oxford. He is recorded in contemporary royal charters and in genealogical accounts of the de Vere family, one of the leading aristocratic houses in medieval England.
Overview
Aubrey de Vere II lived during the reigns of Kings William II, Henry I and Stephen (late 11th–mid‑12th centuries). The de Vere family held extensive landholdings in Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk, inherited from the original Norman conqueror, Aubrey de Vere I, who arrived in England with William the Conqueror.
Aubrey II appears as a witness to several royal charters issued by Henry I, indicating his presence at court and his status as a landed magnate. He is also mentioned in pipe rolls and other fiscal records as a tenant‑in‑chief of the Crown, liable for military service and feudal dues.
His most historically significant role is genealogical: through him the de Vere line continued, culminating in the elevation of his son, Aubrey de Vere, to the earldom of Oxford in 1141.
Etymology / Origin
The personal name Aubrey derives from the Old Germanic Alberic (later Anglo‑Norman Aubri), meaning “ruler of elves” or “noble counsel”. The surname de Vere is locational, indicating origin from the Norman manor of Vere (modern‑day Ver) in the region of Normandy, France. The prefix de (meaning “of”) denotes a familial connection to that place.
Characteristics
- Feudal Status: Held lands directly from the Crown as a tenant‑in‑chief; obligations included supplying knights for royal campaigns.
- Court Presence: Regularly attested in royal charters, suggesting a role as a trusted member of the king’s inner circle, though precise offices (e.g., steward, sheriff) are not definitively recorded.
- Family Influence: His lineage continued to rise in prominence, ultimately producing the Earls of Oxford, who were among the most powerful peers in England until the 18th century.
- Historical Record: Information about Aubrey II derives primarily from charter witness lists, pipe rolls, and later genealogical compilations; contemporary narrative sources are scarce.
Related Topics
- Aubrey de Vere I – the family patriarch who arrived in England with the Norman Conquest.
- Aubrey de Vere, 1st Earl of Oxford – son of Aubrey II, first to hold the earldom.
- De Vere family – a noble house that played a major role in English medieval politics.
- Anglo‑Norman feudalism – the social and land‑holding system in which Aubrey II operated.
- Pipe rolls – the financial records of the English Crown that mention Aubrey II’s holdings.