Robert III de Stuteville facts for kids

Robert III de Stuteville (died 1186) was an important English noble. He was a baron, which meant he held land directly from the king. He also served as a justiciar, a high-ranking judge or royal officer.

Robert de Stuteville's Life

Robert III de Stuteville was the son of Robert II de Stuteville. His family came from Estouteville in Normandy, a region in France. His father was a leader among the northern English nobles. He helped command the English army at the Battle of the Standard in August 1138. This battle was fought near Northallerton in Yorkshire.

Family History and Early Life

Robert III's grandfather, Robert Grundebeof, had supported Robert Curthose, who was the Duke of Normandy. This was during the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106. After the battle, his grandfather was captured. He remained in prison for the rest of his life.

Robert III de Stuteville first appears in official records in 1158. He was a witness to a special document signed by Henry II of England. This happened on January 8, 1158, in Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Royal Service and Important Roles

Robert de Stuteville held several important jobs for the king.

• From 1170 to 1171, he was a justice itinerant. This meant he traveled around as a judge in the counties of Cumberland and Northumberland.
• He was also the High Sheriff of Yorkshire from 1170 to 1175. A sheriff was a royal official. They were in charge of law and order in a county. They also collected taxes for the king.

In April 1174, Robert was in charge of Knaresborough Castle and Appleby Castle. These were castles belonging to the king. However, David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon, captured both castles from him.

Supporting the King in War

Robert de Stuteville was a strong supporter of King Henry II. In 1174, there was a war. Robert, along with his brothers and sons, fought actively for the king. He played a key role in capturing William I of Scotland, also known as William the Lion. This happened at Alnwick on July 13, 1174.

After this, Robert was often with the king. He traveled with him both in England and abroad. He was present at important events. For example, he was a witness to the "Spanish award" on March 16, 1177. This was an agreement about a dispute between the kings of Castile and Navarre.

Later Life and Legacy

Robert de Stuteville likely passed away in early 1186. He tried to get back a barony, or noble land, that his grandfather had lost. This land was held by Roger de Mowbray. They reached an agreement, and Robert received Kirby Moorside.

He is also thought to have started two nunneries in Yorkshire: Keldholme and Rosedale. Nunneries were places where nuns lived and prayed. He also gave money and support to Rievaulx Abbey, a large monastery.

Robert de Stuteville's Family

Robert de Stuteville was married to Helewise de Murdac. They had two sons and two daughters.

• His sons were William and Nicholas.
• His daughters were Burga and Helewise.
  • Burga married William de Vesci.
  • Helewise married three times: first to William de Lancaster, then to Hugh de Morville, and finally to William de Greystoke.

Robert may have also had other sons named Robert, Eustace, and Osmund.

Robert de Stuteville probably had a brother named Roger de Stuteville. Roger was the High Sheriff of Northumberland from 1170 to 1185. He defended Wark on Tweed Castle against William the Lion in 1174. Roger also took charge of Edinburgh Castle in 1177. He built the first Burton Agnes Manor House. However, some historians believe Roger might have been a cousin, not a brother. He might have been the son of Osmund de Stuteville and Isabel de Gressinghall.