Sybil

Sybil (floruit 1137) was an Anglo-Norman noblewoman in 12th-century England. Her parentage is unclear, but her first marriage to Pain fitzJohn is well attested. Through her marriage, Sybil transferred lands in several shires to her husband, including lands around Ludlow Castle and the castle itself. After Pain's death in 1137, Sybil attempted to retain control of Ludlow and her lands but in 1139 King Stephen of England married her to Josce de Dinan, who died in 1166. Sybil had two daughters with Pain and is probably the mother of Josce's two daughters also. Sybil's marriage to Josce, and his control of Ludlow in right of his wife forms the background to a medieval Welsh romance, Fouke le Fitz Waryn.

Parentage

Historians disagree about Sybil's parentage. One theory, given in the entry for her first husband in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that Sybil was the niece of Hugh de Lacy.

Another theory, coming from The Complete Peerage, states that Sybil was the daughter of Geoffrey Talbot and Talbot's wife Agnes, who was probably the daughter of Walter de Lacy, Hugh's father. Yet another theory, put forth by historian Katharine Keats-Rohan, states Sybil was the daughter of Hugh de Lacy.

Marriage Sybil married, first, Pain fitzJohn, a marriage that took place around 1115. Ludlow was an important strategic stronghold which controlled part of the Welsh borders. Sybil also brought her husband lands in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire.

Sybil was not the only recipient of Hugh de Lacy's largesse; some went to Josce de Dinan and some to Miles of Gloucester. Stephen then married Sybil to Josce de Dinan, Josce, however, rebelled against Stephen and fortified Ludlow against the king. Josce died in 1166. Cecily was first married to Roger, the son of Miles of Gloucester.

Agnes first married Warin de Munchensy and then Haldenald de Bidun. She died sometime after 1185 when she was noted as a widow.

In 1199, Sibil and Hawise petitioned the king regarding the ownership of the town and castle of Ludlow but were turned down.