Mabel FitzRobert, Countess of Gloucester facts for kids

Mabel FitzRobert, Countess of Gloucester (around 1100 – 29 September 1157) was an important noblewoman from the Anglo-Norman period. She was a very wealthy heiress. When she married Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, she brought him many valuable lands. These included the important lordship of Gloucester. Robert was the son of King Henry I of England.

Mabel's father was Robert FitzHamon, who was the Lord of Gloucester and Glamorgan. Mabel was the oldest of four daughters. Her three younger sisters became nuns. This meant Mabel inherited all of her father's lands and titles when he died in 1107. As Countess of Gloucester, Mabel played a big part in politics. She also helped manage the lands she owned.

Her Family and Early Life

Mabel was born in Gloucestershire, England, around the year 1100. She was the first of four daughters born to Robert FitzHamon and Sybil de Montgomery. Her father was the Lord of Gloucester and Glamorgan. Her three younger sisters were Hawise, Cecile, and Amice. All of them chose to become nuns. Because of this, Mabel became the only person to inherit her father's large estates. These lands were in England, Wales, and Normandy.

Mabel's paternal grandfather was Hamon, who was the Sheriff of Kent. Her maternal grandparents were Roger de Montgomery, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and Mabel de Bellême. In March 1107, Mabel's father died in Normandy. His lordships and lands then passed to Mabel.

Cardiff Castle in Wales was one of the properties Mabel brought to her husband, Robert, when they married.

Her Marriage

In June 1119, Mabel married Robert of Caen. He was also known as FitzRoy or FitzEdith. Robert was an illegitimate son of King Henry I. Their marriage might have been planned as early as 1107. This marriage was recorded by a writer named Orderic Vitalis.

Robert later became a very important person during a difficult time in English history. This period was called The Anarchy. It was a time of civil war during the reign of King Stephen of England. Throughout this war, Robert was a loyal supporter of his half-sister, Empress Matilda. Matilda made him the main commander of her army. Robert had first promised to be loyal to King Stephen. But after they argued in 1137, Robert's lands in England and Wales were taken away. So, he decided to join forces with Matilda.

Countess of Gloucester's Role

Mabel brought many important lands to her husband. These included Gloucester in England and Glamorgan in Wales. She also brought lands in Normandy, like Sainte-Scholasse-sur-Sarthe, Evrecy, and Creully. Because of his marriage to Mabel, Robert became the second Lord of Glamorgan. He also gained control of Cardiff Castle in Wales, which had belonged to Mabel's father. In August 1122, Robert was made the first Earl of Gloucester. From then on, Mabel was known as the Countess of Gloucester.

As countess, Mabel played a big part in managing the Gloucester lands. Her importance in politics was clear. She was responsible for making sure her husband kept his promises in a treaty. This treaty was made with Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford. Mabel also witnessed four of Robert's official documents. She also gave her personal approval for him to start the Abbey of Margam. The money for this abbey came from her own lands. After Robert died, Mabel took control of the Norman lands of Gloucester. She managed them for her oldest son, William.

Her Children

Mabel and Robert had at least eight children together:

• William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester (died 23 November 1183).
• Roger, Bishop of Worcester (died 9 August 1179).
• Hamon FitzRobert (died 1159). He was killed during a battle called the Siege of Toulouse.
• Robert FitzRobert of Ilchester (died before 1157).
• Richard FitzRobert, Sire de Creully (died 1175). He inherited the lands of Creully from Mabel.
• Philip FitzRobert (died after 1147). He was in charge of Cricklade Castle. He also took part in the Second Crusade.
• Maud FitzRobert (died 29 July 1190). She married Ranulf de Gernon, who was the 4th Earl of Chester.
• Mabel FitzRobert. She married Aubrey de Vere.

Her Death

Mabel's husband, Robert, died on 31 October 1147. Mabel herself died on 29 September 1157. She was fifty-seven years old. She passed away in Bristol and was buried at St James' Priory, Bristol.