Robert of Ghent facts for kids

Robert of Ghent (born around 1085, died after 1154) was an important person in England during the 12th century. He served as the Lord Chancellor of England. This was a very high-ranking job, like a chief advisor to the king. He was also the Dean of York, a senior leader at York Minster, a famous church.

Robert was the younger son of a nobleman. He likely worked at York Minster before King Stephen of England chose him as Chancellor. He didn't appear much in official papers during his time as Chancellor. Robert became the Dean of York Minster around 1147. He was involved in some disagreements about who should be the Archbishop of York. His job as Chancellor probably kept him from getting too involved in church matters. After King Stephen died, Robert was no longer Chancellor. However, he probably stayed as Dean until he passed away around 1157 or 1158.

Robert of Ghent's Early Life

Robert was probably one of the sons of Gilbert de Gant. Gilbert was from a place called Flanders and came to England in 1069. Gilbert died around 1095. He was married to Alice, who was the daughter of Hugh de Montfort.

Robert likely had several brothers and sisters. If he was Gilbert's son, he was probably the youngest of four brothers. He was likely born around 1085. This is because his parents got married about 1075, and he had older siblings. Sometimes, Robert is confused with another person named Robert, who was the son of Walter. Robert of Ghent was also probably the uncle of Gilbert de Gant, who later became an Earl.

First Mentions in History

Robert first appears in historical records between 1114 and 1123. He was a witness to an important document at Ramsey Abbey. He also appeared in a document from his brother Walter between 1130 and 1139.

It's thought that Robert was a canon at York Minster before 1147. A canon is a type of priest who works at a cathedral. Some people have said he was also the Provost of Beverley Minster. A provost is another church leader. However, this is unlikely because the next provost, Thomas Becket, didn't start until 1154. By then, Robert was already the Dean of York.

Becoming Dean of York

Robert officially held the job of Dean of York from at least 1147. He might have even started as early as 1142. His last confirmed record as Dean is from October 1154. Some records suggest he might have still been alive in January 1157.

Challenges for the Archbishop

In 1147, William fitzHerbert, who was the Archbishop of York, was removed from his position. The Pope, Eugenius III, ordered a new election for the archbishop on May 11, 1147. The election happened on July 24, 1147, but not in York. It took place in Richmond. This was because a powerful earl, William of Aumale, was against it. He supported the archbishop who had been removed.

Robert, along with Hugh de Puiset and some other church leaders, wanted Hilary to be the new archbishop. Hilary was a lawyer for the church. But most other church officials wanted Henry Murdac. The Pope decided the election. He chose Murdac as the new archbishop. He gave Hilary the job of Bishop of Chichester. Murdac became archbishop on December 7, 1147. Robert seemed to support Murdac, or at least he didn't actively work against him.

However, some other church leaders kept fighting against Murdac. They even stopped him from entering York for three years. Robert didn't get very involved in these arguments. His job as Chancellor probably kept him busy with government work. He may have become a supporter of Murdac. The archbishop sent at least six important documents to Robert.

Later Disputes and Death

William fitzHerbert was chosen as Archbishop of York again after Murdac died in 1153. When William tried to enter York on May 9, 1154, Robert and Osbert de Bayeux tried to stop him. But they failed. They then went to Theobald of Bec, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. They complained about William's actions, but it didn't change anything. Robert might have been worried that William would remove him from his job as Dean.

After William died, Robert and Osbert again pushed the church leaders in York. They wanted them to choose Roger de Pont L'Évêque as the new Archbishop. Roger was King Stephen's choice. Osbert was later accused of poisoning William. He lost his job and church status because he couldn't prove he was innocent. Even though Robert was linked to Osbert's opposition to William, there's no proof that Robert was involved in the possible poisoning.

The historian Katharine Keats-Rohan says Robert died in 1157 or 1158. Robert's replacement as Dean, Robert Butevilain, is first confirmed as Dean on May 6, 1158. The last confirmed date for Robert Butevilain's previous job was December 13, 1157. This suggests that Robert of Ghent died sometime between those dates, or shortly before December 1157.