Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester facts for kids
Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, Count of Meulan (born around 1040-1050 – died 5 June 1118), also known as Robert of Meulan, was a very powerful nobleman from Normandy. He was one of the few people known for sure to have fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. People at the time thought he was one of the smartest men around.
Writers from that period praised how well he spoke and how much he knew. Three different kings of England trusted his advice. He received a lot of land in England, mostly in the middle of the country, from William the Conqueror and later from King Henry I. He was also given the important title of Earl of Leicester.
Contents
Robert's Early Life and Achievements
Robert was born sometime between 1040 and 1050. He was the oldest son of Roger de Beaumont and Adeline of Meulan. His mother, Adeline, was the daughter of Waleran III, Count de Meulan.
Fighting at the Battle of Hastings
Robert was one of only 15 people confirmed to have fought at the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066. He fought under William the Conqueror, who was a distant cousin. Robert was in charge of the foot soldiers on the right side of the Norman army.
A writer from that time, William of Poitiers, described Robert's actions:
'A certain Norman, Robert, son of Roger of Beaumont... was yet but a young man and he performed feats of valour worthy of perpetual remembrance. At the head of a troop which he commanded on the right wing he attacked with the utmost bravery and success".
Because of his bravery and service, Robert was given more than 91 English estates. These lands were taken from the defeated English and are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Becoming Count of Meulan
In 1081, when his mother passed away, Robert inherited the title of Count of Meulan in Normandy. He also became Viscount Ivry and Lord of Norton. He showed his loyalty to King Philip I of France for these lands and was part of the French Parliament in Poissy.
Robert's Role with English Kings
Robert and his brother Henry were with King William II Rufus during a hunting trip in the New Forest in Hampshire. On August 2, 1100, King William II was accidentally killed by an arrow.
Supporting King Henry I
After William II's death, Robert quickly promised his loyalty to William's brother, King Henry I. King Henry I became king in 1100 and ruled until 1135. In 1107, King Henry I made Robert the Earl of Leicester.
Challenges and Advice
After King William Rufus died, two noblemen, William, Count of Évreux and Ralph de Conches, attacked Robert's lands in Normandy. They claimed Robert had given bad advice to the king, which had harmed them. Their attack was successful, and they took many valuable things.
Robert was known for giving advice to kings. During a disagreement between the Church and the King about who should choose bishops, Robert advised King Henry to keep choosing them. For this, Pope Paschal II temporarily removed Robert from the Church on March 26, 1105. However, in 1106, King Henry managed to get Anselm, the exiled archbishop of Canterbury, to reverse this decision. The Pope later agreed to Anselm's action.
Robert's Final Years
Robert de Beaumont was the last surviving Norman nobleman who had fought in the Battle of Hastings. He was buried at the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Préaux in Normandy.
Robert's Family Life
In 1096, when Robert was about 50 years old, he married Elizabeth (or Isabel) de Vermandois. She was 11 years old at the time. Elizabeth was the daughter of Hugh Magnus and Adelaide, Countess of Vermandois. After Robert's death, Elizabeth married William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey in 1118.
Robert and Elizabeth had several children:
- Waleran IV de Beaumont, Count of Meulan, 1st Earl of Worcester (born 1104), who was the older twin and inherited his father's titles.
- Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester & Earl of Hereford (born 1104), Waleran's twin brother.
- Hugh de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Bedford (born around 1106).
- Emma de Beaumont (born 1102).
- Adeline de Beaumont, who married Hugh de Montfort-sur-Risle, and later Richard de Granville of Bideford.
- Aubree de Beaumont, who married Hugh II of Châteauneuf-Thimerais.
- Agnes de Beaumont, who became a nun.
- Maud de Beaumont, who married William Lovel.
- Isabel de Beaumont, who married Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and later Hervé de Montmorency.
