Edmund de Lacy, Baron of Pontefract

He was the son and heir of John de Lacy, jure uxoris Earl of Lincoln (c. 1192–1240) 8th Baron of Halton, 8th Hereditary Constable of Chester, and feudal baron of Pontefract. His father was one of the 25 barons who forced John, King of England to sign Magna Carta in 1215. Edmund's mother was Margaret de Quincy, suo jure Countess of Lincoln (c.1206–1266).

There is doubt as to whether Edmund de Lacy became Earl of Lincoln, as he predeceased his mother, but not his father. The Complete Peerage gives him as the 3rd Earl, but notes that "he does not appear to have been formally invested with the earldom, presumably because his mother outlived him".[1]

When his father died in 1240 he inherited his father's titles and thus became 9th Baron of Halton, 9th Constable of Chester, feudal baron of Pontefract, Lord of Bowland, etc. He also became Earl of Lincoln, even though his mother, suo jure Countess was still alive.[2] As he was a minor he became a ward of the king, which wardship was later acquired by his mother. Normally his inheritance would have been held in wardship until he reached the age of majority (21). However, Edmund was allowed to succeed his father at only 18 years of age.[3] He was brought up at the royal court of King Henry III and Eleanor of Provence.

Having been brought up at the royal court of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence, in May 1247 at Woodstock Palace he made a 'Savoyard' marriage[4] to Alésia of Saluzzo (Alice de Saluces), who had been brought to England by Peter II, Count of Savoy[5] Eleanor's uncle. She was the daughter of Manfred III of Saluzzo[5] in Piedmont, and sister of Thomas I of Saluzzo. By his wife he had issue including:

• Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.[6]

He died 2 June 1258 and was buried at Stanlow Abbey[7] founded by his paternal grandfather John fitz Richard (died 1190), 6th Baron of Halton, 6th Hereditary Constable of Chester.