ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Ralph of Beaugency to explore how a medieval lord lived his life. In many ways the lordship of Ralph I of Beaugency was the apex of Beaugency power and influence, and pivotal for this family. Ralph represents the pinnacle of Beaugency power and influence for, no other Beaugency lord held the respect or the ear of so many powerful figures. He first emerges in the documents as the young lord of Beaugency around 1080. Between 1080 and 1090, Ralph co-ruled the Beaugency lands and personnel with his father. The single event that most defined Ralph's life was the calling of what became known as the First Crusade. During the crusaders' absence, some took advantage of a lord's absence to make trouble. So when some lords returned, they had to reassert their power. Bertran of Moncontour appears to have been one such mischief maker and usurped land from the absent Beaugency lord.
