Sir Nicholas De La Beche

Sir Nicholas De La Beche held immense territories in England. He owned La Beche Castle in Aldworth, Beaumys Castle in Swallowfield, and the manors of Yattendon, East & West Compton, Cookham, Binfield, Burghfield, Basildon, Harwell, Stratfield, Padworth, Peasemore, Leckhampstead, Bradfield, Farley and estates in Sussex.

Sir Nicholas was very close to the royal family. He was appointed Governor to the Black Prince, and in 1340 the King’s daughters, Isabella and Joanna, aged, respectively, eight and seven, were left under his care during the absence of the King and Queen in France. The Princesses were guarded at the Tower of London, where Sir Nicholas was appointed constable, but it seems that he have neglected his duties. The King returned unexpectedly and have found the fortress badly guarded, the Governor absent and only three ordinary servants in attendance on the Royal children. For this, Sir Nicholas was imprisoned but in less than two years he received pardon, was reinstated as Constable of the Tower and allowed to castellate his houses, at La Beche and Beaumys.

In 1343, Sir Nicholas was appointed Seneschal of Gascony. The following year, he was appointed Governor of Montgomery Castle, and in 1345, he was sent as one of the Commissioners to treat with Alphonso, King of Castile, touching a marriage between the eldest son of that King and the Princess Joanna.