Robert de Gloucester

Robert de Gloucester (towards 1090 - October 31st 1147,   Bristol-board), 1st Count de Gloucester, was commander-in-chief it of the party of his half-sister Mathilde Emperesse during the civil war for the Crown of England which opposed it to Etienne of England. He was the illegitimate son of Henri I {{er}} of England and probably of the girl of a middle-class man of Caen. He was sometimes called Robert the Consul of Caen or Robert FitzRoy (wire of the king).

Under the reign of Henri Ier

He was probably elder illegitimate children of the king, and he is recognized by him with his birth and is raised at his court. Robert had the reputation to be an educated man, which is hardly astonishing because his/her father had received an important education, and had to make some in the same way with his children.

It Marie in 1107, with Mabel, girl of Robert FitzHamon († 1107) and Sybille de Montgomery. In 1119, Robert fights with the Bataille of Brémule. It is already one of the captains able of the king. This last created for him the title of count of Gloucester (1122), and gives him important fields in Normandy.

It leads an army in the Cotentin in September 1123, for mâter the rebellion carried out by Amaury III of Montfort, Count d' Évreux and Galéran IV of Meulan, Count de Meulan. It is a time charged to keep captive his uncle Robert Courteheuse, the ex- Duc of Normandy, with   Bristol in 1126.

With the difference of his/her grandfather Guillaume Bastard the (the Conqueror), it is isolated succession. Henri Ier had made lend oath to the barons of the kingdom to accept Mathilde, his daughter, like heiress and successor with the throne. Nevertheless, with died of the king in 1135, the barons are not enthusiastic with the idea to be directed by a woman and a husband angevin. Robert could have had his chance with the throne of England. But it does not do anything of it, and if one believes the Gesta Stephani, when one would have asked him to claim the throne for him, it would have said that it was righter to give it to Henri, the son of Mathilde. Etienne of Blois makes safe the royal treasure with Winchester and is made crown the December 22nd 1135.

Fight for the crown of England

With died of Henri I {{fine er}} 1135, it swears fidelity with Etienne of Blois which has just seized the crown of England. But in 1138, it takes the party of his/her half-sister Mathilde Emperesse in the civil war which opposes it to Etienne for the throne of England. In 1141, Robert manages to capture Etienne with the battles of Lincoln, but in its turn, it is made prisoner following the Bataille of Winchester the September 14th, and is kept captive with Rochester. The two men are exchanged without counterpart, because although Robert is not king, it is the heart and the captain of the party of Mathilde.

In 1142, Robert leaves for the continent to try to convince Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Maine and Anjou, the husband of its half-sister to come to assistance of its cause to England. Geoffroy of Anjou refuses to come to England as long as it did not conquer the Normandy. Then Robert remains in France with him to shoulder it. When he learns that Mathilde is besieged in Oxford, he precipitates in England with his help, to learn that this one succeeded in fleeing.

He faces Etienne and his brother Henri with Wilton in 1143. He forces them with the retirement, and Guillaume Martel, steward of the king, is captured by covering the escape of the king. This last is obliged to return the castle of Sherborne to release it. It is a strong projection for the cause of Mathilde. Philippe, his own son, declares for Etienne in 1144, and joined his party. The father and the son are thus in opposite camps.

He fights without slackening for the cause of Mathilde, but in 1147, he dies of a fever with Bristol. With its death, the cause of Mathilde undergoes a terrible blow, and this one must withdraw England in 1148. Later, Henri will take again the torch of his/her mother, but for her own account this time.

In addition to this political role, Robert describes like well-read man, is the patron of Guillaume de Malmesbury, Henri de Huntingdon and of Geoffroy de Monmouth, which all three, in their writings, evokes to differing degree, the legend arthurienne. Robert is also during a time the tutor of Henri Plantagenêt, wire of Mathilde and future Henri II of England, which is a large amateur of these legends.

He is buried with the priory of Saint-James with   Bristol.

Family and descent

From her marriage in 1107 with Mabel de Gloucester (1090 - 1157), girl of Robert FitzHamon, Lord de Gloucester, a companion of the Conqueror and Sibyl de Montgomery, were born  :

Possible illegitimate children  :

  • Richard († 1142), bishop of Bayeux in 1135  ;
  • Robert FitzRobert, lord of the manor of Gloucester, married Hawise, girl of Baudoin de Reviers, Count de Devon  ;
  • Mabel.

See too

References

  • Counts de Gloucester

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