Henry FitzRoy (died 1158) facts for kids

Henry FitzRoy was born around 1100-1104 and died in 1158. He was a son of Henry I of England, a powerful king. This also made Henry FitzRoy a grandson of William the Conqueror, a very famous king who conquered England. His mother might have been Princess Nest, whose father was Rhys ap Tewdwr, a king in Wales. From about 1140 until his death, Henry FitzRoy was the Lord of Narberth Castle. This castle was part of larger lands owned by Gilbert de Clare, who was the Earl of Pembroke.

Henry's Lands and Family

Henry FitzRoy received lands from his royal father in areas like Narberth and Pebidiog. When he died in battle in 1158, his lands went to his oldest son, Meilyr. Meilyr later became the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland for his cousin, King Henry II. Henry FitzRoy also had a daughter named Amabilis. She married a man named Walter de Riddlesford. Walter, along with Amabilis's uncles, nephews, and the Gerald family, were very active in Irish affairs. They also held large areas of land in Ireland.

The Battle of Anglesey

In 1158, Henry FitzRoy led a group of ships in a military attack. This attack was against the Welsh people, led by Owain Gwynedd, who was the King of Gwynedd. Henry FitzRoy was acting on behalf of his Norman nephew, King Henry II. The plan was to attack the Welsh "on both land and sea."

When FitzRoy's army landed on Ynys Môn, they set fire to the churches of Llanbedrgoch and Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf. However, Owain's men quickly gathered together. The very next morning, they fought the Norman army. The Welsh defeated Henry FitzRoy's forces and killed Henry FitzRoy himself. He was killed by a "shower of lances," which means many spears were thrown at him.

See also

• Battle of Ewloe, 1157