Robert FitzRobert FitzWilliam, of Gloucester

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WILLIAM FitzRobert, son of ROBERT Fitzroy Earl of Gloucester & his wife Mabel [Matilda or Sibylle] FitzRobert (23 Nov [1112]-23 Nov 1183, bur Keynsham Abbey, Somerset). His birth date is confirmed by the Annals of Waverley which record the death “in nocte Sancti Clementis” in 1183 of “Willelmus comes Glocestriæ”, specifying that it was the same day he was born[1904]. The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey records that “comes Willielmus filius et hæres eiusdem” succeeded on the death of Robert Earl of Gloucester[1905]. He witnessed an agreement in 1128. He was imprisoned with his father at Rochester in Oct 1141 by the forces of King Stephen. Governor of Wareham 1144, during his father’s absence in Normandy. He succeeded his father in 1147 as Earl of Gloucester. The Gesta Stephani Regis records that "Willelmus filius suus…senior…ætate" succeeded as Earl of Gloucester on the death of his father, dated from the context to [1147][1906]. The Annals of Margan record that “comes Gloucestriæ Willelmus…et comitissa Hawysia” were captured “in castello Cardiviæ” by the Welsh in 1158[1907]. “Willielmus comes Glouc.” donated “ecclesia de Eltham” to Rochester, for the souls of “Roberti filii mei...Hawyse comitisse uxoris mee et liberorum...meorum”, by undated charter, confirmed by charter dated 8 Dec 1314[1908]. On his death, King Henry II took the honour of Gloucester and the Earldom into his own hands[1909]. Robert of Torigny records the death in 1183 of "Guillermus comes Gloecestriæ" leaving three daughters as his heirs[1910]. The Annals of Margan record the death “IX Kal Dec” in 1183 of “Willelmus comes Gloucestriæ”[1911]. The Obituary of Lyre records the death 23 Nov of “Willelmus comes Glocestriæ”[1912]. The Annals of Waverley record the death “in nocte Sancti Clementis” in 1183 of “Willelmus comes Glocestriæ”, specifying that it was the same day he was born[1913]. The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey records the death in 1183 of “comes Willielmus Gloucestriæ” and his burial “apud Kenisham”[1914]. The necrology of Lyre monastery records the death "23 Nov" of "Willelmus comes Glocestriæ"[1915].

m ([1150]%29 HAVISE de Beaumont, daughter of ROBERT de Beaumont[-le-Roger] Earl of Leicester & his wife Amice de Gaël et de Montfort ([after 1120]-24 Apr or 25 May 1197). The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey records that “comes Willielmus” married “Hawisia filia comitis Leicestriæ”[1916]. The Annals of Margan record that “comes Gloucestriæ Willelmus…et comitissa Hawysia” were captured “in castello Cardiviæ” by the Welsh in 1158[1917]. “Willielmus comes Glouc.” donated “ecclesia de Eltham” to Rochester, for the souls of “Roberti filii mei...Hawyse comitisse uxoris mee et liberorum...meorum”, by undated charter, confirmed by charter dated 8 Dec 1314[1918]. The necrology of Lyre monastery records the death "25 May" of "Hawis comitissa Gloecestræ"[1919]. The Annals of Tewkesbury record the death “VIII Kal Mai” in 1197 of “Hawisa comitissa Glocestriæ”[1920].

Earl William & his wife had four children:

1. ROBERT (Cardiff [1150]-Cardiff 1166, bur Keynsham Abbey, Somerset). The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey names “Robertum” as son of “comes Willielmus” and his wife, adding that he predeceased his father and was buried “apud Keynesham”, and in a later passage that he was born in Cardiff where he also died in 1166[1921]. He witnessed a charter in 1155 with his parents[1922]. Leland quotes a manuscript which records the death in 1166 of "Robertus filius Gul comitis Glocestriæ"[1923]. “Willielmus comes Glouc.” donated “ecclesia de Eltham” to Rochester, for the souls of “Roberti filii mei...Hawyse comitisse uxoris mee et liberorum...meorum”, by undated charter, confirmed by charter dated 8 Dec 1314[1924]. The position of the name of Robert in the list of those for whose souls the donation was made suggests that it was dated shortly after Robert’s death.

2. MABEL (-1198). An anonymous continuation of the Chronicle of Robert of Mont-Saint-Michel records (in order) "Comitissa Ebroicensis…uxor Guillelmi Comitis de Clara, tertia…in manu Dei et domini Regis" as the three daughters left by "Guillelmus Comes Glocestriæ" when he died[1925]. The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey names “Mabiliam comiti de Evereis in Normannia nuptam…Amiciam…Isabellam” as the three daughters of “comes Willielmus” and his wife[1926]. Benedict of Peterborough records "uxori Amauri comitis Ebroicanum" as "Willelmus filius Roberti filii regis Henrici primi comes Gloucestriæ…filiam ipsius comitis"[1927]. Robert of Torigny records the marriage in 1170 of "primogenitam filiam Roberti comitis Gloecestriæ" and "Amauricus primogenitus filius Symonis comitis Ebroicensis"[1928]. In another passage, Robert of Torigny records the death in 1183 of "Guillermus comes Gloecestriæ" leaving three daughters as his heirs, of whom one (mentioned first) was "comitissa Ebroicensis"[1929]. The Annals of Tewkesbury record the death in 1198 of “Mabilia comitissa Ebroici”[1930]. m ([1170]%29 AMAURY [V] de Montfort Comte d'Evreux, son of SIMON [III] de Montfort Comte d’Evreux & his wife Mathilde --- (-13 Mar 1182). Their son Amaury [VI] de Montfort Comte d'Evreux was created Earl of Gloucester in 1199, after King John divorced his wife Isabel Ctss of Gloucester who was Amaury’s maternal aunt (see below).

3. AMICE (-1 Jan 1225). An anonymous continuation of the Chronicle of Robert of Mont-Saint-Michel records (in order) "Comitissa Ebroicensis…uxor Guillelmi Comitis de Clara, tertia…in manu Dei et domini Regis" as the three daughters left by "Guillelmus Comes Glocestriæ" when he died[1931]. The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey names “Mabiliam comiti de Evereis in Normannia nuptam…Amiciam…Isabellam” as the three daughters of “comes Willielmus” and his wife, adding that Amice married “domino Richardo de Clare comiti de Hertford”[1932]. Benedict of Peterborough records "uxori comitis de Clara" as "Willelmus filius Roberti filii regis Henrici primi comes Gloucestriæ…filiam ipsius comitis"[1933]. Robert of Torigny records the death in 1173 of "Rogerius comes de Clara" and the succession of "Ricardus filius eius", recording that the latter was married to "filiam Guillermi comitis Gloecestriæ"[1934]. In another passage, Robert of Torigny records the death in 1183 of "Guillermus comes Gloecestriæ" leaving three daughters as his heirs, of whom one (mentioned second) was "uxor Guillermi comitis de Clara"[1935]. The primary source which confirms her name has not yet been identified. She was recognised as Ctss of Gloucester in her own right after [1210], following the death of her nephew Amaury VI de Montfort Comte d’Evreux, although this was subject to the continuing rights of Amice's sister Isabel who was also recognised as Ctss of Gloucester. On the death of Ctss Isabel in 1217, Amice was recognised as undisputed Ctss of Gloucester. m ([1180], separated before 1200) RICHARD de Clare Earl of Hertford, son of ROGER de Clare Earl of Hertford and Earl of Clare & his wife Matilda de Saint-Hilaire (-[30 Oct/28 Nov] 1217). He sided with the Barons against King John, and played a leading part in the negotiations for Magna Carta.

4. ISABEL [Avise] ([before 1176]-14 Oct or [18 Nov] 1217, bur Canterbury Cathedral Church). An anonymous continuation of the Chronicle of Robert of Mont-Saint-Michel records (in order) "Comitissa Ebroicensis…uxor Guillelmi Comitis de Clara, tertia…in manu Dei et domini Regis" as the three daughters left by "Guillelmus Comes Glocestriæ" when he died[1936]. The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey names “Mabiliam comiti de Evereis in Normannia nuptam…Amiciam…Isabellam” as the three daughters of “comes Willielmus” and his wife, adding that Isabel married “Henricus rex…Johanni filio suo”[1937]. Benedict of Peterborough records the betrothal in 1176 of "Johannem filium regis minimum" and "Willelmus filius Roberti filii regis Henrici primi comes Gloucestriæ…filiam ipsius comitis" and the agreement whereby John would inherit the county of Gloucester[1938]. Her marriage is recorded by Matthew Paris, who specifies that it took place despite the prohibition of Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury on the grounds of consanguinity, although he does not name her[1939]. The Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall records that "comes Johannes frater eius [rege Ricardo]" married "filiam comitis Glocestriæ"[1940]. She was recognised as Ctss of Gloucester in her own right from her marriage in [1189]. Matthew Paris records that the king divorced "uxorem suam Hawisam comitis Gloverniæ filiæ" [in 1200 from the context] because “affines erant in tertio gradu consanguinitatis”[1941]. The Annales Londonienses record the divorce in 1200 of King John and "Hawysiam filiam comitis Gloverniæ", stating that they were "in tertio gradu consanguinitatis"[1942]. King John appears to have kept her as a state prisoner after their divorce, but retained her title even after her nephew Amaury de Montfort was installed as Earl of Gloucester in 1199[1943]. The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey records the second marriage of “Isabellam” and “Galfrido de Mandevile comiti Essexiæ”, and her third marriage to “Huberto de Burgo justiciario Angliæ”[1944]. Her lands and title were confiscated on the death of her second husband. The Annals of Waverley record the death in 1217 of “Isabel comitissa Gloucestriæ”[1945]. The Annals of Dunstable record that “Johannam comitissam Gloucestriæ” died “paucos dies” after her marriage to “Hubertus de Burgo justiciarius Angliæ” and was buried “apud Cantuarium”[1946]. m firstly (Betrothed 1176, Marlborough 29 Aug 1189, divorced before 30 Aug 1199) as his first wife, JOHN Prince of England, son of HENRY II King of England & his wife Eléonore Ctss d’Aquitaine (Beaumont Palace, Oxford 24 Dec 1166 or 1167-Newark Castle, Lincolnshire 18/19 Oct 1216, bur Worcester Cathedral). He succeeded his brother Richard I in 1199 as JOHN King of England. m secondly ([16/26] Jan 1214) as his second wife, GEOFFREY de Mandeville Earl of Essex, son of GEOFFREY FitzPiers Earl of Essex & his first wife Beatrice de Say (-London 23 Feb 1216, bur Trinity Prior within Aldgate). He became Earl of Gloucester on his marriage, by right of his wife. He was mortally wounded at a tournament in London[1947]. m thirdly ([Sep] 1217) as his second wife, HUBERT de Burgh, son of --- & his wife Alice (-Banstead, Surrey 12 May 1243, bur Church of the Black Friars, Holborn). Chamberlain of King John [1198]-1205. He was granted the lands of Ctss Isabel 13 Aug 1217. One of the chief advisers to King Henry III in the early years of his reign. Created Earl of Kent 19 Feb 1227. No issue.

Sources

• [1904] Annales de Waverleia, p. 243.
• [1905] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1906] Gesta Stephani Regis II, p. 132.
• [1907] Annales de Margan, p. 15.
• [1908] Thorpe, J. (1769) Registrum Roffense (London) (“Registrum Roffense”), p. 345.
• [1909] CP V 687-8.
• [1910] Robert de Torigny, Vol. II, p. 124.
• [1911] Annales de Margan, p. 17.
• [1912] Ex Obituariis Lirensis Monasterii, RHGF XXIII, p. 475.
• [1913] Annales de Waverleia, p. 243.
• [1914] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1915] RHGF XXIII, Ex Obituario Lirensis monasterii, p. 475.
• [1916] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1917] Annales de Margan, p. 15.
• [1918] Registrum Roffense, p. 345.
• [1919] RHGF XXIII, Ex Obituario Lirensis monasterii, p. 472.
• [1920] Annales de Theokesberia, p. 55.
• [1921] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1922] CP V 689.
• [1923] Toulmin Smith, L. (ed.) (1910) The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London) ("Leland’s Itinerary"), Vol. V, Part XI, p. 174, Ex annalibus, autore incerto.
• [1924] Registrum Roffense, p. 345.
• [1925] Anonymi Continuatio appendicis Roberti de Monte ad Sigebertum, RHGF XVIII, p. 336.
• [1926] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1927] Benedict of Peterborough I 1176, p. 124.
• [1928] Robert de Torigny, Vol. II, p. 22.
• [1929] Robert de Torigny, Vol. II, p. 124.
• [1930] Annales de Theokesberia, p. 56.
• [1931] Anonymi Continuatio appendicis Roberti de Monte ad Sigebertum, RHGF XVIII, p. 336.
• [1932] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1933] Benedict of Peterborough I 1176, p. 124.
• [1934] Robert de Torigny, Vol. II, p. 41.
• [1935] Robert de Torigny, Vol. II, p. 124.
• [1936] Anonymi Continuatio appendicis Roberti de Monte ad Sigebertum, RHGF XVIII, p. 336.
• [1937] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1938] Benedict of Peterborough I 1176, p. 124.
• [1939] Matthew Paris, Vol. II, 1189, p. 348.
• [1940] Radulphi de Coggeshall, Chronicon Anglicanum, p. 61.
• [1941] Matthew Paris, Vol. II, 1200, p. 462.
• [1942] Annales Londonienses, p. 6.
• [1943] CP V 689-90.
• [1944] Dugdale Monasticon II, Tewkesbury Monastery, Gloucestershire I, Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione Ecclesiæ Theokusburiæ, p. 61.
• [1945] Annales de Waverleia, p. 289.
• [1946] Annales de Dunstaplia, p. 45.
• [1947] CP V 691.