Factual De Rodes Family

The "de Rodes" family is first recorded in England when they came over with the Earl of Flanders and Tofti, Harolds brother, to assist William the Conqueror in his campaign of 1066. Already hereditary knights of Flanders, they were assured great rewards in England for their part in William the Bastard’s claim on the kingdom. Willemus and Hugh were granted, doubtless as a reward for their services, the Moiety of Rodes, This estate was founded where the little village of Rode is now situated, in the County of Chester. Willemus had a son, Michael, who was known as Michael de Rodes, and his descendants may be traced through the Domesday book, tax rolls, civil and court records, to the present time. Hugh returned to France and established the family of the Counts de Rodez. The French family sent its descendant, Baron Gerard de Rodes, back to England and through him an English branch was established.

A Sir John Rodes, knight, was appointed master of the household to Edward the Black Prince of Wales. Sir John was at Crecy in 1346 and Poitiers in 1356. He lived in Aquitaine, returning to England shortly before his death, in 1381, in the service of King Richard II.

“He was a splendid example of the virtues and vices fostered by the spirit of chivalry"

To date, no record has been found of the Rodes at any other major campaigns during the Hundred Year War, but it can be assumed that, because of their status, they would have been present and taken part at some level. A few generations later, the Rodes estates seem to have been disposed or divided in Nottinghamshire, and others retained in Yorkshire and Derbyshire where a branch of the family moved. This was founded by William Rodes who married Emme, daughter and heiress of John Cachehors of Staveley Woodthorp in Derbyshire. This remained the family seat until Barlborough Hall was built By Francis Rodes Esq, justice, in about 1583. Sir Francis took part in the trial of Mary, "Queen of Scots" His son, Sir John Rodes, knight, sold Staveley and made Barlborough Hall the family residence.

The Fictional Lord Gerard De Rodes

Lord Gerard de Rodes, born 1369. The first born son of a feudal baron and Ambassador in Flanders for the English King, also named Gerard, had inherited his father's estates at the age of 13, when his father (Gerard senior) died at the battle of Roosbeke assisting Flemish rebels against the French King Charles VI. Upon his return to England, to secure his estates, Gerard the younger was to find that things were not as simple and peaceful as he was lead to believe.

Following the devastation of the Black Death, much of the de Rodes lands had been left to ruin during their absence. The seemingly endless war with the French was raging , claiming many a good man. The French were, by now, a very real and constant threat at all of the borders of England. Young Gerard made the best of it by actively supporting the English Kings and, whilst he was in the King’s favour, took full advantage of it by recruiting as many people as he could to his retinue (sometimes overlooking the questionable character of some of these men).

"Behind every great man there is an even greater woman". Sir Gerard, conveniently, married the Lady Joanna, youngest daughter of the Earl of Ross who had received a charter for lands in Perthshire. Lady Joanna bore Sir Gerard a son and heir, Ralph de Rodes, and a daughter, the troublesome Cara. Joanna forcefully supported Sir Gerard in all of his actions for better or worse. Between campaigns in France and his obligations in Flanders, Sir Gerard found his duties taking him to Wales. There was a relative, if not a very weak, peace between the English and the Welsh, but there always seemed to be enough trouble for Sir Gerard and his retinue to find themselves stuck in the thick of it.