Robert of Rhuddlan facts for kids
Robert of Rhuddlan (who died on July 3, 1093) was a brave Norman adventurer. He became a powerful lord in much of north-east Wales. For a time, he even ruled all of North Wales.
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Robert's Early Life and Rise to Power
Robert was the son of a man named Humphrey de Tillieul. He was also the cousin of Hugh d'Avranches, who became the first Earl of Chester. Robert had a son named William of Rhuddlan, who sadly died in a ship accident in 1120.
Robert worked as a squire (a knight's assistant) for Edward the Confessor, the King of England. He came to the Welsh Marches (the borderlands between England and Wales) even before 1066.
Becoming a Commander
In 1070, Robert's cousin Hugh became the Earl of Chester. Around 1072, Robert was put in charge of Hugh's soldiers. He quickly started fighting with the Welsh people. He captured land in a region called Tegeingl in North East Wales. There, he built a simple castle made of earth and wood, called a motte-and-bailey castle. This castle was at Twthill, near Rhuddlan. Robert held these lands as a vassal, meaning he was loyal to Earl Hugh.
Expanding His Control in Wales
In 1075, a Welsh leader named Gruffudd ap Cynan tried to take back his throne in Gwynedd. Robert helped Gruffudd by giving him Norman soldiers. Later that year, another leader, Trahaearn ap Caradog, fought back. He forced Gruffudd to hide in Ireland. But Robert used this chance to grab more land. He took over the regions of Rhos and Rhufoniog. He also built another castle at Deganwy. Now, he controlled most of northern Wales, east of the River Conwy.
Becoming Lord of North Wales
In 1081, Trahaearn ap Caradog was killed in a battle by Gruffudd ap Cynan and his friends. Gruffudd then became the King of Gwynedd. But soon after, Gruffudd was tricked and captured by the Normans near Corwen. Earl Hugh put Gruffudd in prison in his castle at Chester. It seems Robert was responsible for capturing Gruffudd. Robert then claimed all of Gruffudd's lands for himself.
Robert built more castles in places like Bangor, Caernarfon, and Aberlleiniog. A very old record book called the Domesday Book says that Robert controlled almost all of North Wales. He held these lands directly from the King of England, not from Earl Hugh. He had to pay the king £40 every year.
Robert's Death
When William the Conqueror died in 1087, his sons started fighting over who would be king. Robert supported the older son, Robert Curthose. In 1088, Robert and his soldiers were part of a battle at Rochester. However, they had to give up to the forces of William Rufus, William the Conqueror's other son.
Robert of Rhuddlan was killed on July 3, 1093. A writer named Orderic Vitalis said that Robert died in a fight with soldiers led by Gruffudd ap Cynan. Robert was taking a nap in his castle at Deganwy. News came that Welsh raiders had landed nearby in three ships. They were stealing things from his lands. Some stories say these raiders were led by Gruffudd ap Cynan, who had escaped from prison.
The raiders had pulled their ships onto the beach and were busy loading their stolen goods. Robert quickly sent messages to gather his soldiers. He rushed to the place where the raiders were. He saw that the tide was coming in, and the Welsh would soon be able to float their ships and escape with the loot. Robert became very angry. He ran down the hill to attack them, with only one helper following him. He was killed by many spears. The raiders then sailed away, with Robert's head attached to the mast of one of their ships.
After Robert died, Earl Hugh of Chester took over his lands in Gwynedd. But in 1094, the Welsh people started a big revolt led by Gruffudd ap Cynan. Because of this, most of Robert's old territory was lost.
