William FitzRobert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William FitzRobert |
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| William Earl of Gloucester gives his great charter to Tewkesbury Abbey. Tewkesbury Abbey Founders Book, Bodleian Library, Oxford, made in Tewkesbury c.1500-1525. His tabard displays his attributed arms quarterly 1st & 4th Gules three clarions or; 2nd & 3rd Azure, a lion rampant guardant or an inescutcheon Or, three chevrons gules. These are forms of the attributed arms of Robert FitzHamon and actual arms of de Clare, Earls of Gloucester | |
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| Reign | 31 October 1147 – 23 November 1183 |
| Predecessor | Sir Robert de Caen |
| Successor | John de Mortain |
| Spouse(s) | Hawise de Beaumont |
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| Robert FitzWilliam Mabel FitzWilliam Amice FitzWilliam Isabel, Countess of Gloucester |
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| Father | Sir Robert de Caen, 1st Earl of Gloucester |
| Mother | Mabel FitzHamon of Gloucester |
| Born | 23 November 1116 |
| Died | 23 November 1183 (aged 67) |
William FitzRobert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester (born November 23, 1116 – died November 23, 1183) was an important English nobleman. He was the son of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, and Mabel FitzRobert of Gloucester. William was also the nephew of Empress Matilda, a powerful figure in English history.
Contents
William's Family Background
William FitzRobert's father, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, was a son of King Henry I of England. This made William a close relative of the royal family. He was a nephew to Empress Matilda and a cousin to King Stephen. These two rulers were the main figures in a civil war known as The Anarchy. William was also the great-grandson of the famous William the Conqueror.
Early Life and Responsibilities
In 1141, William took charge of his family's lands when his father was captured during a conflict near Winchester. His father was later freed in exchange for King Stephen. In 1144, while his father was away in Normandy, William served as the Governor of Wareham. A few years later, in 1147, he defeated Henry de Tracy at Castle Cary.
In 1154, William made an agreement with Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford. They promised to help each other against anyone, except for King Henry II of England.
William FitzRobert was also the Lord of Glamorgan and Caerleon in Wales. He often lived at Cardiff Castle. In 1158, a Welsh lord named Ifor Bach (meaning "Ivor the Little") captured William, his wife, and his son at Cardiff Castle. They were held until William agreed to fix some problems Ifor had.
Working with King Henry II
In 1173, William supported King Henry II during a rebellion by the King's own sons. However, William later seemed to fall out of favor with the King. In 1174, he gave himself up to the King, and in 1175, he handed over Bristol Castle.
William's only son, Robert, died in 1166. Because of this, William agreed that John, the younger son of King Henry II, would become the heir to his earldom. This was part of a plan for John to marry one of William's daughters.
William was present in 1177 when King Henry II helped settle a dispute between the Kings of Castile and Navarre. In 1178, he witnessed a special document from King Henry for Waltham Abbey. Later, during the King's struggles with his sons, William was among several important noblemen who were imprisoned because the King doubted their loyalty.
William's Family and Children
William FitzRobert was married to Hawise de Beaumont. She was the daughter of Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester. William and Hawise had several children:
- Robert fitz William (1151 – 1166). He was their only son but sadly died before his father.
- Mabel fitz William. She married Amaury V de Montfort. Their son, Amaury, briefly became the Earl of Gloucester.
- Amice fitz William (died 1220). She married Richard de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford. Their family eventually inherited the Earldom of Gloucester.
- Isabel, Countess of Gloucester. She was married three times:
- John of England (who later became King John)
- Geoffrey FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville, 2nd Earl of Essex
- Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent
William FitzRobert died in 1183, and his wife Hawise lived longer than him. Since their son Robert had passed away, William's daughters became the heirs to his lands and titles.
