Aubrey de Vere, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Great Chamberlain

Aubrey de Vere, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Great Chamberlain, succeeded in 1194. He fought alongside Richard Lionheart in Normandy and was later tocommand King John's forces in Ireland, [where King John had upset the local chieftains of the country]. Aubrey, was Sheriff of Essex andHerefordshire from the 10th to the 15th year of King John. He was a Privy Councilor and also Steward of the vast estates of Epping Forest in 1213.

The Castle at Hedingham was completed during EO2's lifetime, along with the curtain wall around the castle keep. That curtain wall has sincedisappeared and the area around the keep now features a small wooded area which were planted around 1719. In its day as a military stronghold, theentire surrounding area was kept clear of undergrowth, ensuring unhindered views from the battlements of any approaching danger.

EO2 was reputed by some as one of the "evil councilors" of King John. De Vere died in 1214 without issue, and his brother Robert succeeded him as3rd earl of Oxford.