The Normans
In 1066, the Normans, led by Duke William, conquered England. William rewarded the people who had helped him with land. These men were his tenants-in-chief who held land in this area.
Roger de Busli
He was alive in 1086 until about 1098 or 1100. Born in Normandy, he took his name from the town of Bully-en-Brai near Dieppe in Normandy. He held the Honour of Tickhill. This included Hellaby, Maltby, Wickersley, Laughton, Greasbrough and Kimberworth.
Walter d'Eincourt
He was alive in 1086 and was born in Normandy. He was rewarded with huge estates in Derby, Nottingham and Lincoln. As part of his estates, he held land in Rawmarsh from King William the Conqueror.
Count Robert of Mortain
He was alive around 1086 - 1090 and was born in Normandy. Robert was William's half brother.
The Count held land in South Yorkshire along with vast acres in other places. He displaced Acun (Hakon) as the landholder in Rotherham. Nigel Fossard was the Count of Mortain's tenant and held Rotherham from him.
William de Percy
He was alive around 1030 to 1096 and was born in Normandy.
William was the founder of the House of Percy. His grants of land from Duke William included Brinsworth, Thrybergh,and Dalton. This was for helping Duke William in the Conquest of England. He died on the First Crusade.
William de Warrene
He was alive around 1086 - 1088 and was born in Normandy.
For helping in the Conquest of England, William was granted lands which included Bramley, Dinnington, Harthill and Kiveton.
Arnaldus de Busli
He was alive in 1086 and was born in Normandy.
Arnaldus was the brother of Roger de Busli and was given a grant of land in Nottinghamshire by William I. His estates included Maltby and Kimberworth.
Nigel Fossard
He was alive in 1086 until 1120.
He was one of the main tenants of the Count of Mortain, not just in this area. He may have become a tenant-in-chief when Robert of Mortain lost his lands in 1088. He was the Norman lord of Rotherham.
Richard de Sourdeval
He was alive in 1086 and was probably born in Mortain in Normandy.
He was one of the main tenants of the Count of Mortain. Like Nigel Fossard, he probably became a tenant-in-chief when Robert of Mortain lost his lands in 1088. He took over in places like Todwick, Whiston, Treeton, Aughton, Aston, Ulley, and Brampton en le Morthen.
Rozelin
He was alive in 1086 and held land from William in Brinsworth, Thrybergh and Dalton.
Richard de Busli
He lived in the 1100s and may have been born in South Yorkshire. He was the grandson of Arnaldus de Busli. He granted land to the monks for the foundation of Roche Abbey. Land in Kimberworth was granted to Kirkstead Abbey and was used by the monks to set up an iron works.
Richard Fitzturgis
He lived in the 1100s and made a gift of land to the Cistercians for the foundation of Roche Abbey. He held land in Wickersley.
Roche Abbey
Founded 1147 by Richard de Busli, the abbey existed up to the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1538. It was a medium sized house of about 175 men. It is a fine early Gothic building.
Iron
The name of Orgreave means "the pit from which ore was dug". This village is mentioned by name in the Domesday Book, so this means that iron mining was associated with this area before 1066.
In 1161 Cistercians from Kirkstead Abbey were granted land to dig for ironstone at Kimberworth.
Coal
In the 1290's, in the reign of Edward I, there was an inquest into the death of two men at a small pit near Masbrough. In 1370 Thomas Toy, Robert Denby and Robert Benet leased a pit at Cortworth from Sir John Fitzwilliam. In 1540 John Lelend wrote "A mile from Rotherham be veri good pittes of cole."
Idonea de Vipont
She lived from 1256 - 1334 and was probably born at Tickhill.
A descendant of Roger de Busli, she inherited the Manor of Kimberworth in 1265, and also held the Manor at Maltby. She extended the hunting ground at Kimberworth Park.