A Magna Carta Surety, "Fitzwalter, Robert (d. 1235), magnate and rebel, lord of Dunmow, Essex and Baynard's Castle, London, was the son of Walter fitz Robert and Matilda, daughter of Henry II's justiciar Richard de Lucy. Henry I had granted the honours of Dunmow and Baynard's Castle to Walter's father, Robert, the king's steward, a younger son of Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare." [1] [2]
1198 Robert Fitz Walter's father Walter Fitz Robert died. "On the death of his father in 1198, Fitzwalter inherited a barony of over 66 knights' fees, which he could add to the 32 fees already brought to him by his wife, Gunnora, daughter and heir of Robert de Valognes. This combined barony made him, in the words of the Histoire des ducs de Normandie et des rois d'Angleterre, 'one of the greatest men in England, and one of the most powerful'." [3] [4]
1218 "18 July. Grantham. Order to R. bishop of Durham that since Simon fitz Walter made fine with King John, father of King Henry, by 300 m., while the bishopric of Durham was vacant and in King John's hand, in order to have the custody of the land and heir of Walter of Carew, with the marriage of the heir, so that in the time of King John Simon paid 300 m. at the Exchequer, according to the testimony of the rolls of the Exchequer of King John, he is to cause Robert fitz Walter, Simon's brother, who has the custody of the heir until his full age, as per the testament of his brother, to have full seisin without delay of the manor of Seaton Carew with its appurtenances, formerly of Walter of Carew, as the king has signified to the bishop at another time. By the judgement and consideration of the Exchequer, the king is to order the sheriff of Yorkshire to give Robert the lands of the bishop in his bailiwick up to the value of the manor of Seaton until he will surrender the manor to him. Witness the earl. [5]
1218 October 30 "Norfolk. William, Robert, Gilbert, John, Matthew, Geoffrey and Ralph, sons of Robert son of Richard, give the king 40s. for having a pone, before the justices at the first session [they take] when they come to those parts, of a plea between them, claimants, and Robert fitz Walter, defendant, concerning three carucates of land with appurtenances in Mautby. They have the writ. Order to the sheriff of Norfolk to take security from them for those 40s. to the king's use for this writ. Witness as above [the earl]." [6]
1222 "25 Jan. Westminster. Suffolk. Reginald son of Ralph gives the king half a mark for having a pone before the justices of the Bench at Easter in three weeks against Robert fitz Walter, concerning 69 acres of land with appurtenances in Sweffling. He has the pone. Order to the sheriff of Suffolk to take security etc. Witness H. etc." [7]
1224 August 22 "Norfolk and Suffolk. Order to the sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk to place in respite, until upon his next account at the Exchequer, the demand he makes by summons of the Exchequer from Robert fitz Walter for the scutage of Poitou from the time of King John, the king's father." [8]
1224 September 6 "Essex. Order to the sheriff of Essex to place in respite, until the king orders otherwise, the demand he makes from the land in his bailiwick of John of Tew, who is in Ireland by order of the king and holds of the fee of Robert fitz Walter, by the summons of the Exchequer made to him to distrain the fees of the same Robert for the scutage of Poitou." [9]
1224/5 February19 "Essex. Hertfordshire. Order to the sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire that, having accepted security from Robert fitz Walter for satisfying the king for the scutage of Poitou at the Exchequer of Easter in the ninth year, which he exacts of him by summons of the Exchequer, he is to permit him to have peace in the meantime . He is also to permit him to have peace from the scutage of Montgomery that he similarly exacts from him by the same summons, because he was with the king in the army of Montgomery by his order. By the justiciar." [10]
1227/8 March 1 "For the wife of Richard of Chilham. The king has committed the manor of Lesnes with appurtenances to Rose, wife of Richard of Chilham, which they recovered by a duel against Robert fitz Walter, so that Rose is to render £40 to the king from the aforesaid manor, which the king lent to Richard in order to wage the duel, namely 20 m. at Michaelmas in the twelfth year, 20 m. at Hilary next following in the thirteenth year, and 20 m. at Easter next following in the same year, and she has found the king Geoffrey de Say, John of Shillingham and William de Lisle as her pledges, namely 20 m. from each pledge. Order to the bishop of Chichester etc. to cause her to have full seisin of the aforesaid manor." [11]
1228 "12 Nov. Westminster. For Robert fitz Walter. The king has granted to Robert fitz Walter that he may cause his scutage to be collected by his hand from the knights' fees he holds of the king in chief, namely 2 m. per shield for the army of Kerry, so that he answers for it at the Exchequer by his hand at the beginning of the forthcoming Lent in the thirteenth year. Order to the sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk to permit that scutage to be collected thus and not to distrain Robert by reason of the aforesaid scutage. He is, however, to be of aid to Robert in distraining his knights and free tenants in his bailiwick to render the aforesaid scutage to him." [12] "For Robert fitz Walter. It is written in the same manner to the sheriffs of Essex and Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, Sussex, Kent, Cornwall and Middlesex." [13]
1229 April 18 "Concerning respite of a demand. Order to R. earl of Cornwall to place in respite the demand for scutage that he makes from Robert fitz Walter for the army of Kerry from a tenement that he holds of the king in chief in Cornwall, until the king will inquire whether Robert ought to answer to him or to the aforesaid Richard for the aforesaid scutage." [14]
1229 September 9 "Concerning respite of a demand. Order to the sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire to place in respite, until Michaelmas in the fourteenth year, the demand he makes from Robert fitz Walter by summons of the Exchequer for a prest made to him of the prest of Poitou, Scotland, Ireland and Barham Down in the time of King John etc." [15]
1229 October 5 "Order to the sheriff of Northamptonshire that if Robert fitz Walter finds him sufficient pledges for rendering his scutage to the king at the Exchequer at Martinmas in the fourteenth year, then he is to cause him to have his scutage from the knights' fees he holds of the king in chief in his bailiwick, namely 3 m. per shield at the king's first crossing, which he is ready to make after Michaelmas in the thirteenth year." [16]
1230 December 27 "For Robert fitz Walter. Robert fitz Walter has similar letters, concerning collecting his scutage and answering at Hilary in 15 days, directed to the sheriffs of Essex and Hertfordshire, Cornwall, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire." [17]
1231 October 17 "Concerning scutages due to the king from several people, to be collected by their hand. It is written in the same manner to: the sheriffs of Essex and Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lancaster, and Norfolk and Suffolk for Matilda de Lucy, concerning collecting her scutage from the knights' fees she holds of him and rendering at the Exchequer in the octaves of Martinmas. the sheriffs of Essex and Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire for the bishop of Ely, concerning collecting his scutage and rendering it on the morrow of St. Andrew. the sheriff of Cornwall and Devon for the abbot of Tavistock on the morrow of St. Andrew. the sheriffs of Norfolk and Suffolk, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire for Robert fitz Walter, and the sheriff of Cornwall for the same, on the morrow of St. Andrew. the sheriffs of Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Berkshire for the bishop of Chichester, concerning collecting scutage by his hand from the knights' fees that the son and heir of Duncan de Lacelles, who is in his custody, ought to hold of the king. the sheriffs of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, concerning collecting the scutages of Henry of Braybrooke by his hand and rendering them in the octaves of Martinmas." [18]
1235 Robert fitz Walter died before 16 December.
1235 "16 Dec. Clarendon. The king. Concerning the execution of the testament of Robert fitz Walter. Order to Richard de la Lade and Adam son of William, the king's escheators, to permit the executors of the testament of Robert fitz Walter to have free administration of the goods and chattels formerly of the same Robert, in order to make execution of his testament, having first accepted security from them that they will satisfy the king for the debts of the aforesaid Robert, if he owed any to the king, and having retained to the king's use by the view of trustworthy and law-worthy men as many plough-beasts as will be necessary to be retained to till the lands remaining in the king's hand, and, similarly the corn formerly of the same Robert for the king's monies to sow the same lands and sustain the servants. [19] "Concerning underwood to be sold in the woods of Robert fitz Walter. Order to Adam son of William and William son of Richard to cause the underwood of all woods formerly of Robert fitz Walter, which are in the king's hand by reason of Robert's death, to be sold without delay and to raise money therefrom to the king's use, so that they are not to make waste or destruction of the aforesaid woods, and to cause the knights and free tenants who held of Robert and [whose lands] are in the king's hand by reason of Robert's death to be called before them at a certain day and place that will seem most expeditious to them, asking and inducing them in the best manner that they are able on the king's behalf to make a suitable aid to the king, honestly proposing the king's urgent business to them that they request an aid from faithful men, and to behave in such a manner in the foregoing so that the king ought to commend their prudence and diligence." [20]
1235 December 17 "The king. Concerning tallaging the sokemen and villeins formerly of Robert fitz Walter. The king has assigned Adam son of William and William son of Richard to tallage the sokemen and villeins formerly of Robert fitz Walter, who are in the king's hand by reason of Robert's death. Order to them to intend to the execution of the aforesaid business diligently and faithfully with as much speed as they can muster, so that the king ought to commend their diligence applied to this. [21] "The king. Concerning the lands formerly of Robert fitz Walter. The king has committed to Adam son of William and Richard de la Lade, his escheators, all lands formerly of Robert fitz Walter to keep for as long as it pleases the king. Order to the knights, free men and others who held of the aforesaid Robert to be intendant and respondent to them as the king's keepers in all things that pertain to the king by the aforesaid custody. [22]
1236 May 4 "Norfolk. Concerning the fine of the bishop of Norwich. The bishop of Norwich claims the manor of Bacton with appurtenances, which is of his fee and which ought to be his escheat, as he says, and he offers the king £100 for having his seisin without prejudice to anyone else, and they are to be received, and he is to render a moiety at Michaelmas in the twentieth year and the other moiety at Easter next following in the twenty-first year. It is to be known that the whole of the king's council attests that this manor does not pertain to the heir of Robert fitz Walter, who is under age." [23]
1236 May 24 "6. Robert son of Walter. Writ of extent of the manors of Reyndon and Beninton to Adam son of William, 24 May, 20 Hen. III. Extent (undated). [Essex.] Reyndun manor (full extent given). C. Hen. III. File 1. (6.)" [24]
1236/7 February 10 "[No date]. Order to Adam son of William that, for as long as the land formerly of Robert fitz Walter will be in the king's hand, he is to cause the lepers of the hospital of St. Mary Magdalene of Hertford to have six loads of corn each year in five bushels from the mill of Hertingfordbury, formerly of the aforesaid Robert, from the time when that land was in the king's hand and henceforward, as they were accustomed to receive them in the last years of the life of the same Robert." [25]
Research Notes:
"ROBERT FitzWalter of Woodham Walter, Essex (-9 Dec 1235, Dunmow Priory). A manuscript history of the foundation of Dunmow Priory records the succession of "Robertus filius Walteri" on the death of "Walterus filius Roberti", adding that in 1216 the dispute between the barons and King John was triggered in 1216 because the king desired "Matildis…filia domini Roberti filii Walteri"[792]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records "Robertus filius Walteri" holding 15 knights' fees "Wodeham" in Essex in [1210/12][793]. He went with Saher de Quincy Earl of Winchester (his cousin through his paternal grandmother) to invite Louis de France to England in early 1216[794]. Bracton records a claim, dated 1225, by "Ricardus filius Reginaldi et Roysia uxor eius" against "Robertum filium Walteri" for part of "terre…in Lewes" inherited from "Roysia de Douera auia sua", the defendant stating that "Matillis mater sua et Aleisia mater Ricardi de Umframuilla et Auelina auia Ricardi de Muntfichet fuerunt sorores" all of whom inherited part of the land in question[795]. A manuscript history of the foundation of Dunmow Priory records the death in 1234 of "Robertus filius Walteri, patronus ecclesie de Dunmowe", his burial at Dunmow, and the succession of "Walterus filius eius", the same source providing numerous details about his descendants[796]. "Simon filius Roberti" donated property to Daventre Priory, for the souls of "uxoris meæ Juliane et liberorum meorum", by undated charter which names "Ricardi primogeniti mei" and is witnessed by "…Ricardo Henrico et Simone filiis meis, Jordano fratre meo…"[797]. m firstly (after 1194) as her second husband, GUNNOR de Valognes, widow of DURAND de Ostill, daughter of ROBERT de Valognes & his wife Hawise --- (-after 1208). Bracton records an inquiry, dated 1234/35, whether "Cristiana de Mandevilla soror Walteri filii Roberti" was seised of part of land "in Dersingham", which descended to her "ex parte Gunnore matris sue" and was inherited by "Henricus de Bailloil et Lora uxor eius" because "idem Walterus non fuit frater predicte Cristiane nisi ex parte patris", noting that "tres fratres fuerunt…Petrus, Robertus, Philippus ex parte patris et matris", that Robert was father of "Gunora mater predicte Cristiane"[798]. "Durandus de Steill camerarius domini regis et Gunnora de Valoniis uxor eius" confirmed donations made to Binham priory by "Rogerus de Valoniis" by undated charter[799]. Her first marriage is confirmed by the Rotuli de Dominabus of 1185 which records property "Hortfurdburia et Hochwelle" held by her paternal grandmother "Agnes de Valeines…l annorum", property "Hecham et Leic" held by "Agnes de Valuines…plusquam lx annorum", and "Redefelde" held by "Agnes de Valuines…soror Pagani filii Johannis" adding that her heir is "filia eius et heres data est Durando de Ostili"[800]. Round suggests that "filia eius" in this passage is an error for "neptis eius", as Gunnor was the senior heiress of her grandmother as only daughter of the latter's second surviving son, and pointing out that "Durandus de Osteilli" paid scutage in Essex/Hertfordshire of £15/3/4 in the Pipe Roll 1190, equivalent to the 30 and one third knights' fees on which the barony of Valoignes paid had paid in 1166, and on which "Gunnore de Valoniis" paid in 1194[801]. The Red Book of the Exchequer, listing scutage payments in [1194/95], records that "Gunnore de Valoniis" paid "xx s, i militem" in Norfolk, Suffolk, and also paid in Essex, Hertfordshire[802]. The Red Book of the Exchequer, listing scutage payments in [1196/97], records "Gunnore de Valoniis" paying "xxx l, xxx milites" in Essex, Hertfordshire[803]. "Rob fil Walteri et Gunnor ux eius" paid a fine for the inheritance of "Gaufri de Valon avunculi ipsius Gunnor", dated 1208[804]. m secondly ROHESE, daughter of ---. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified." [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISHNOBILITYMEDIEVAL3D-K.htm#_Toc351372351, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, Untitled English Nobility D - K, Chapter 18, A]
[1] Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition), Matthew Strickland, "Fitzwalter, Robert (d. 1235)," (May 2011), [Oxford_Dictionary_National_Biography], [OxfordDNB(UM)].
[2] Leslie Stephen, ed., Dictionary of National Biography, Finch-Forman, Vol. 19 (London: Smith Elder & Co, 1889), 219-223, [HathiTrust].
[3] Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition), Matthew Strickland, "Fitzwalter, Robert (d. 1235)," (May 2011), [Oxford_Dictionary_National_Biography], [OxfordDNB(UM)].
[4] Leslie Stephen, ed., Dictionary of National Biography, Finch-Forman, Vol. 19 (London: Smith Elder & Co, 1889), 219-223, [HathiTrust].
[5] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 2/154 (18 July 1218), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[6] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 3/4 (30 October 1218), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[7] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 6/68 (25 January 1222), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[8] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 8/320 (22 August 1224), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[9] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 8/352 (06 September 1224), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[10] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 9/101 (19 February 1225), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[11] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 12/96 (01 March 1228), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[12] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 13/15 (12 November 1228), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[13] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 13/16 (12 November 1228), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[14] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 13/179 (18 April 1229), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[15] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 13/295 (09 September 1229), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[16] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 13/399 (05 October 1229), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[17] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 15/75 (27 December 1230), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[18] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 15/332 (17 October 1231), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[19] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 20/65 (16 December 1235), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[20] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 20/66 (16 December 1235), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[21] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 20/68 (17 December 1235), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[22] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 20/70 (17 December 1235), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[23] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 20/254 (04 May 1236), [Fine_Rolls_Project].
[24] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 1, Henry III (London: HMSO, 1904), 2, item 6, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[25] Henry III Fine Rolls Project, Fine Rolls of Henry III, Fine Rolls of Henry III, 21/57 (10 February 1237), [Fine_Rolls_Project].