Robert de Ros (died 1227) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert de Ros |
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| Arms of Robert de Ros Blazon: Gules, three water bougets argent. |
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| Spouse(s) | Isabella |
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| William de Ros Robert de Ros |
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| Father | Everard de Ros |
| Mother | Roese Trussebut |
| Born | c. 1160 |
| Died | c. 1227 |
| Burial | Temple Church, London, England |
Sir Robert de Ros (died around 1227) was an important Anglo-Norman noble, soldier, and administrator. He is best known as one of the twenty-five barons chosen to make sure King John of England followed the rules of the Magna Carta agreement in 1215.
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Robert de Ros's Early Life and Family
Robert de Ros was born around 1182. His father was Everard de Ros, and his mother was Roese Trussebut. The Ros family came from a village called Roos in Yorkshire, England. They owned important lands, including the barony of Helmsley in Yorkshire and Wark on Tweed in Northumberland.
When Robert's father died, Robert was still young. His lands were looked after by a powerful official named Ranulf de Glanvill. In 1191, even though he was still a teenager, Robert paid a large sum of money to officially take control of his family's lands. That same year, he married Isabella, who was the daughter of William the Lion, the King of Scotland.
Inheriting More Lands
Robert also inherited land from his mother's family, the Trussebuts. These lands included areas near Bonneville-sur-Touques in Normandy, France. Because of this, he became the hereditary bailiff (a type of manager) and castellan (castle commander) of Bonneville.
Robert de Ros's Career and Challenges
Robert de Ros served several English kings, but his relationship with them was not always easy.
Serving King Richard I
In 1196, during a war between King Richard I of England and King Philip II of France, Robert faced a problem. King Richard had captured a French knight and placed him in Bonneville Castle, which Robert oversaw. When the knight escaped, King Richard was very angry. He fined Robert a huge amount of money, though some of it was later forgiven.
Working with King John
After 1199, Robert had a complicated relationship with King John of England. He often witnessed the King's official documents and served in his army. He also went on important diplomatic trips for the King, including one to Scotland to visit his father-in-law. There was even a story that he gambled with King John in Ireland!
However, things were not always smooth. In 1205, King John ordered Robert's lands to be taken away, but he later changed his mind. It's possible that King John even took Robert's younger son as a hostage during this time.
Crusade Plans and More Trouble
In 1206, Robert was given permission to use his lands as a guarantee if he went on a crusade to Jerusalem. He got permission again in 1207. But that same year, another prisoner escaped while under his watch, and Robert was fined again.
By 1209, he was back in the King's good graces and sent on another trip to Scotland. He didn't seem to go to Palestine, though, because in 1210 he was fighting with King John in Ireland.
Becoming a Sheriff and a Monk
In 1212, Robert decided to join a monastic order (a religious group). King John then gave control of Robert's lands to another knight. But Robert returned to regular life the next year. King John then made him the High Sheriff of Cumberland, an important local official. He also appointed Robert to a group investigating problems in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Robert de Ros and the Magna Carta
In October 1213, Robert de Ros was one of the people who witnessed King John giving England to the authority of the Pope. He was also one of twelve people chosen to make sure King John kept his promises.
Joining the Rebels
Even though he had been loyal to King John for a long time, Robert de Ros eventually joined the rebel barons. These barons were unhappy with King John's rule. In 1215, they forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, a very important document that limited the King's power and protected the rights of his subjects.
Robert de Ros was chosen as one of the twenty-five barons who would make sure King John followed the Magna Carta. Because he joined the rebels, the Pope excommunicated him (removed him from the Church), and King John gave Robert's lands to someone else.
After King John's Death
Robert de Ros stayed with the rebel side even after King John died in October 1216. He supported Prince Louis of France, who was trying to become King of England. Robert finally gave up in late 1217 and got most of his lands back.
He continued to be involved in some local conflicts. In 1225, he was one of the witnesses when the Magna Carta was reissued, showing its lasting importance. By the end of 1226, Robert had joined a monastic order again, possibly the Knights Templar. He died that year or in 1227 and was buried in the Temple Church in London.
Robert de Ros's Good Deeds
Robert de Ros was a strong supporter of the Knights Templar, a famous military and religious order. He gave them land in Yorkshire, where they built a commandery (a type of headquarters).
He also founded a hospital for people with leprosy in Bolton, Northumberland. This hospital was dedicated to St Thomas Becket. Robert gave the hospital a lot of land to support its work. He also helped other religious houses like Rievaulx Abbey, Newminster Abbey, and Kirkham Priory.
Robert de Ros's Family
Robert de Ros married Isabella in 1191. She was the illegitimate daughter of William the Lion, King of Scotland.
Robert and Isabella had two sons:
