Richard De Courcy

  General Notes:

This Richard was able to take effective control of DeCourcy lands in northern England during times of political strife (King Stephen and Empress Matilda whose son eventually became Henry II). Allegiancies were tricky and there is quite a bit of evidence that this Richard was of Norman stock though he maintained certain properties (Meschin) on behalf of William II (eventually William III) of Stogursey (the English DeCourcy branch)

After Richard's death, the English DeCourcy's reinstated control of Meschin lands and the Paynel lands went to Alice's 2nd husband, Robert de Gant.

Debate on whether this Richard is brother of Robert II of Normandy - or more distant relative.

Marriage to Alice Paynel (whose mother Avice married William II of Stogursey as 2nd husband) would have violated church rules of marriage as she would be step daughter of Richard's cousin.

Richard married Alice Paynel, daughter of William Paynel de Drax and Avice De Rumilly de Meschin, 1145 est.