Robert de Mohaut

General Notes: He was known as "the black steward"

Robert, "Filius Radulphi Filii Normanii", continued the line, after some disputes proved by the Pipe-Roll of 31 Henry I (i.e. 1130). William FitzHugh FitzNorman first appears as accounting for sums due for the land of his father, which Ralph, "Dapifer of Earl Hugh", held and for right in his mother's inheritance. In a subsequent entry, Robert FitzRalph FitzNorman accounts to the Treasury for a concord between him and his cousin William. These lands of Hugh and the office of Ralph, were afterwards united in Robert.

The said Robert occurs as first witness to the Charter of Randle II (Earl of Chester) to Chester Abbey, and also as first witness to that Earl's Confirmation Charter to the same about 1152 (17 Stephen), and as first witness to the Charter of Hugh II to the Nuns of Bolinton (1151-1181), signing as "Robertus Dapifer de Montealto", and showing thereby that he had then obtained the Lordship of Mold. Robert built Mold Castle in Flintshire, Wales probably around 1140. It is a good example of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle.

In 5 Henry II, it appears from the Pipe Roll, by an entry under the head of Norfolk and Suffolk, that 'the land of the Earl of Chester' was farmed from the Crown by Simon FitzWilliam. The same person and Robert de Montalt farmed the same in 6 and 7 Henry II, and Robert de Montalt, solely, in 8 Henry II. As these entries do not appear in the Rolls following, the farm was probably discontinued. It was subject to repairs of castles and of the city walls, and to various payments to the Earl, to his mother, to the Constable, and others. In the Rolls of the Norman exchequer, grants are mentioned of land in Normandy at le Tourneur, near Bayeux, made to this Robert de Montalt.

Robert, the elder son, assumed the surname of Montalt, from a little hill in the county of Flint, then known by this name, but since corrupted into that of Moulde, and on this eminence he erected the Castle of Montalt.

He was a witness to the grant made to the Abbey of Chester of the lands of Uptwuad by Ranulph de Gernons, Earl of Chester, and nephew to Earl Hugh.

Noted events in his life were:

• Living: at the castle (which he erected), Mold, Flintshire, Wales, United Kingdon.7 originally Montalt castle, also called Mould

• Misc: Steward of the Palatine to the Earl of Chester.8 THe stewardship of Chester, held by the service of 2½ fees, was hereditary in his descendants. See Chester Count Court Roll, 1259-97 (Cheltham Soc.), p xlvi. The Steward ranked next to the Constable, and was second in the addresses of the Earl's charters. The stewardship passed with the Mohaut estates conveyed to Queen Isabel in 1327 (Cal. Patent Rolls, 1338-40, p 114)

• Misc: Agreement, 1141/1157.9 with the monks of Chester, concerning the manor of Lea-cum-Newbold, which they claimed by William's gifts (Tait, op.cit. p 287)

• He served a mission He defeated the Welsh, who were overrunning te Palitinate on 3 Sep 1146 in Nantwich, CHS, England, UK.9 He received various grants from the Earls of Chester, including Hawarden, which became the 'caput' of the barony.(Annales Cestrienses - Rec. Soc. Lans and Cheshire, p 74)

• Misc: He was a farmer of the Earl of Chester's lands, 1160 to 1162.9 (Cal Inq p.m. vol ii mo 284)

Robert married Leucha FitzNeel, daughter of William FitzNeel [9] and Unknown. Leucha died after 1162 [9]. They had seven children: Ralph, Robert, William, Ranulph, Roger, John and Matthew.

Death Notes: (Pipe Roll, 6 Hen II, p 7: 8 Hen II p 20)

General Notes: It has been conjectured that she was a daughter of William FitzNeel of Halton, becasue Neston and other FitzNeel manors are found to have passed to the Mohaut family. Robert (dapifer/steward) was the first witness to a charter by William II FitzNeel, Constable of Chester, 1130-50 (Tait, op cit p 234) [9]