Robert de Mowbray facts for kids

Robert de Mowbray (died 1125) was a powerful Norman nobleman who became the Earl of Northumbria in England from 1086 to 1095. He was involved in several important events during the reign of King William II, also known as William Rufus. Robert joined a rebellion against the king in 1088 but was forgiven. Later, he led an army that defeated and killed Malcolm III of Scotland in a battle at Alnwick. However, in 1095, Robert tried to replace King William II with another person, Stephen of Aumale. This led to a conflict with the king, and Robert was captured. As a result, his marriage was ended, his lands were taken away, and he was sent to prison for the rest of his life. He later became a monk.

Who Was Robert de Mowbray?

Robert de Mowbray was the son of Roger de Mowbray. His uncle was Geoffrey de Montbray, who was a bishop. The family name, Mowbray, comes from a place called Montbray in Normandy, which is a region in France.

Becoming Earl of Northumbria

Robert became the Earl of Northumbria after the previous earl, Aubrey de Coucy, decided he didn't want the job anymore. Aubrey had been made earl in 1080 but quickly gave up his position and returned to Normandy, losing all his lands in England. Robert was appointed to the role in 1086.

In 1088, Robert joined his uncle Geoffrey in a rebellion against King William Rufus. They supported Robert Curthose, the Duke of Normandy, who wanted to be king of England instead. Even though the rebellion failed, both Robert and his uncle were pardoned, meaning they were forgiven. Robert was allowed to keep his important position as Earl of Northumbria.

Battle of Alnwick

In November 1093, Malcolm III of Scotland invaded Northumbria. This was his second invasion since 1091, and he attacked a place called Alnwick. Robert de Mowbray quickly gathered an army and surprised the Scottish forces on November 13. In the battle that followed, known as the Battle of Alnwick, King Malcolm and his son Edward were both killed.

Earlier that same year, Robert's uncle, Geoffrey de Montbray, passed away. Robert then inherited his uncle's large estates, which made him one of the most powerful noblemen in England. In 1095, Robert married Matilda, who was the daughter of Richer de l'Aigle and the niece of Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester.

Rebellion and Capture

In 1095, Robert de Mowbray took part in a new rebellion. The goal of this plot was to remove King William II from the throne and replace him with Stephen of Aumale. It seems that many noblemen were part of this plan, but when it was time to act, most of them backed out. This left Robert de Mowbray and his friend William of Eu exposed.

The trouble started when Mowbray seized four Norwegian ships that were in the River Tyne. The merchants who owned the ships complained to the king. King William ordered Mowbray to come to his royal court to explain his actions. Mowbray refused to attend and ignored further commands. So, King William finally led an army against him.

Mowbray took refuge in his strong castle, Bamburgh Castle. King William began to attack Bamburgh and even built a temporary castle nearby, which he called Malvoisin, meaning "evil neighbour." For some reason, during the attack, Mowbray left the castle with a small group of knights. He was chased by the king's soldiers and had to hide in Tynemouth. After six days, he was wounded in the leg and captured. He was then taken back to Bamburgh, where his wife was still trying to defend the castle. She finally surrendered the castle when the king's soldiers threatened to blind her husband.

Life in Prison

Because of his part in the rebellion, Robert de Mowbray lost all his lands and was sent to prison for the rest of his life. He was first held at Windsor Castle. He spent many years in different prisons. One writer from that time said he "grew old without offspring," meaning he had no children. Later, he was allowed to become a monk at St Albans Abbey.

Robert de Mowbray's Character

A writer named Orderic Vitalis described Robert de Mowbray as a very strong and wealthy man. He was brave in war but also proud and didn't like to obey those above him. He was tall, strong, dark-skinned, and hairy. He was daring and clever, serious and stern. He thought more than he spoke and rarely smiled when talking.

What Happened to His Family?

Robert's wife, Matilda, had her marriage ended by Pope Paschal II. The reason given was that they were too closely related. Sometime after 1107, she married a relative of her former husband, Nigel d'Aubigny. Nigel was also given the lands in Montbray that Robert had lost. Matilda and Nigel did not have any children together. In 1118, Nigel divorced Matilda and married another woman named Gundred de Gournay. They had a son named Roger. This Roger inherited the estates that Robert de Mowbray had originally lost. When Roger received his inheritance, King Henry I told him to change his name to Mowbray. This is how the Mowbray name continued, even though Roger was not a direct blood relative of Robert de Mowbray.