14 Facts About Robert Fitzhamon

Robert Fitzhamon's grandfather held the lordships of Torigny, Creully, Mezy, and Evrecy in Normandy, but following his death at the Battle of Val-es-Dunes in 1047, the family might have lost these lordships.

Robert Fitzhamon is said to have been a relative of William the Conqueror, but the nature of the relationship is unknown.

Robert Fitzhamon probably did not fight at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086, although some of his relatives are listed therein.

Robert Fitzhamon first comes to prominence in surviving records as a supporter of King William Rufus during the Rebellion of 1088.

Robert Fitzhamon defeated the prince of South Wales Rhys ap Tewdwr in battle in 1090.

Robert Fitzhamon was defeated and his lands taken in 1091.

Whether there is any truth in the legend or not Robert Fitzhamon seems to have seized control of the lowlands of Glamorgan and Gwynllwg sometime from around 1089 to 1094.

Legend has it that Robert Fitzhamon had ominous dreams in the days before Rufus' fatal hunting expedition, which postponed but did not prevent the outing.

Robert Fitzhamon was one of the first to gather in tears around Rufus' corpse, and he used his cloak to cover the late king's body on its journey to be buried in Winchester.

Robert Fitzhamon was one of the three barons who negotiated the 1101 truce between Henry I and Robert Curthose.

Robert Fitzhamon was freed, and joined Henry's campaign, which proceeded to besiege Falaise.

Robert Fitzhamon was buried in the Chapter House at Tewkesbury Abbey, which he had founded and considerably enriched during his lifetime.

Between 1087 and 1090, Robert Fitzhamon married Sybil, apparently the youngest daughter of Roger of Montgomery, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury by his first wife, Mabel Talvas, daughter of William I Talvas.

Robert Fitzhamon survived her husband and is said to have entered a convent with two of her daughters.