Robert Holland, 1st Baron Holand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert de Holland, 1st Baron Holland
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Arms of Robert de Holland: Azure semée-de-lys argent, a lion rampant of the second
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| Born | c. 1283 Lancashire |
| Died | October 1328 |
| Buried | Lancashire |
| Spouse(s) | Maud la Zouche |
| Father | Sir Robert de Holland |
| Mother | Elizabeth de Samlesbury |
Robert de Holland, 1st Baron Holand (c. 1283 – October 1328) was an important English nobleman. He was born in Lancashire. He became the first Baron Holand.
Contents
Early Life and Rise to Power
Robert de Holland was the son of Sir Robert de Holland and Elizabeth de Samlesbury. He belonged to the important Holland family.
Robert became a trusted helper of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. The Earl of Lancaster was a very powerful noble at the time. Robert was made a knight by 1305.
In 1307, he helped with a matter about the Knight Templars. This was just before King Edward II ordered their arrest. In 1313, Robert was forgiven for his part in a conflict that led to the death of Piers Gaveston.
From 1314 to 1321, Robert was called to join the Parliament. This meant he was a baron. He also worked as a secretary for the Earl of Lancaster.
The Banastre Rebellion (1315)
Because Robert was a favorite of the powerful Earl of Lancaster, some other knights did not like him. These knights, led by Adam Banastre, started a violent protest. This event is known as the Banastre Rebellion.
The rebels were angry about the Earl's actions. They attacked the homes of the Earl's supporters. They also attacked several castles, like Liverpool Castle. After the rebels were defeated, Robert helped to find those who had run away.
Battles and Imprisonment
In 1322, Robert was told to join the king's army. This was to fight against the Earl of Lancaster's rebellion. But Robert changed sides. He fought with the Earl of Lancaster at the Battle of Boroughbridge.
After their defeat, Robert surrendered. He was put in prison, and his lands were taken away. He was later let out of prison. However, he was accused of joining other rebels. They had raided the lands of Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester.
Robert was put in prison again at Warwick Castle. Later, he was moved to Northampton Castle. He managed to escape from there in 1326.
His Final Years
Later, King Edward II was overthrown by Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer. After this, Robert was pardoned for his escape. His lands were given back to him in 1327.
However, Robert still had enemies from the Banastre Rebellion. In 1328, they tried to make him an "outlaw." This meant he would lose legal protection for the deaths of Banastre and his followers. Robert tried to fight this decision.
But in October 1328, he was killed in a wood near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Some people say Thomas Wither was the killer. Robert was beheaded. His head was sent to the Earl of Lancaster. His body was buried in Preston, Lancashire.
After his death, a check of his property was done. It showed he owned land in many places. These included Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and London.
Family Life
Robert de Holland married Maud la Zouche. She was the daughter of Alan la Zouche, 1st Baron la Zouche of Ashby. Robert and Maud had nine children together.
Two of their most famous children were:
- Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent: He became a very important noble. He was even made an Earl in 1360. He married Joan Plantagenet, who was known as the "Fair Maid of Kent." She was a granddaughter of King Edward I.
- Sir Otho Holand: He was also a knight and a governor of the Channel Islands.
Sources
- Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem. VII. London: HMSO. 1909.
- Close Rolls. Westminster: Parliament of England. 1224–1468.
- Patent Rolls. Westminster: Parliament of England. 1232–1509.
- Parliamentary Writs Alphabetical Digest. II. London: Public Record Office. 1834.
