Overview
Rohese Giffard (sometimes Rose, or Rohais; died after 1113) was a Norman noblewoman in the late 11th and early 12th century. The daughter of a Norman noble, she was the wife of another Norman noble, Richard fitzGilbert, who was one of the ten wealthiest landholders there after the Norman Conquest. Rohese is mentioned in Domesday Book as a landholder in her own right, something uncommon for women. She and Richard had a number of children, and she lived on past his death around 1086, until at least 1113 when she is recorded giving lands to a monastery. Her descendants eventually inherited her father's lands, although this did not occur until the reign of King Richard I of England (r. 1189–1199).
Early life
Rohese was the daughter of Walter Giffard. Her maternal grandfather was Gerard Fleitel. Walter Giffard was the lord of Longueville-sur-Scie in Upper Normandy.
Marriage and children
Rohese was the wife of Richard fitzGilbert, the son of Gilbert, Count of Brionne, A daughter of fitzGilbert, who is unnamed, is said to have married Ralph de Fougères, but it is not known whether this refers to another marriage for either Rohais or Adelisa or if this is a third daughter. Some of the children were born before 1066, as a gift to Jumièges Abbey in 1066, mentions the souls of their children.
Landowner, death, and legacy
Rohese occurs in Domesday Book (done in 1086) as a landowner in her own right, It is not known why she held these lands independently of her husband, as the previous landholders, Robert son of Wimac, and Archbishop Stigand have no obvious relationship with her. They may have been her dower lands although this is not mentioned in Domesday. Domesday often does not mention dower or other conditions of female landholding, due to its emphasis on documenting royal rights. receiving half the honour of Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire in the reign of King Richard I of England (r. 1189–1199), after the lands and inheritance were originally returned to Richard's father, King Henry II of England (r. 1154–1189).