Stanford Rivers by H. M. Scott – The De Rivers (RIPARIS)

The de Rivers (de Riparis) Family

In 1213, Maud de Lucy, an heiress of Richard de Lucy, was given in marriage by King John to Richard de Riparis (Rivers). Of their two sons it appears that Richard (II) inherited the main portion of the estate and the rest went to his brother Baldwyn.

Richard, who was born in 1238, was succeeded by his son John, who was summoned to Parliament in 1299 and created a Baron. In a letter to the Pope, dated 1301, he signed as Johannes de Riparis – Dominus de Angre (Ongar).

He died in 1311 and was succeeded by his son, John. In 1308 de Rivers had granted the Manor to Richard de Refham for a period but in 1334 the 2nd Baron released his rights to Lady Pauline de Gras and the Rivers seem to have ceased to be living in the area.

The Barony of Rivers (1st Creation) seems for some vague reason to have passed from the family and was later passed to the Bulkeleys of Eaton. The fact that Katherine, the granddaughter of the 2nd Baron, died childless may have had a bearing on the matter.