Origins & Early Life

Robert FitzRoy, 1st Earl of Gloucester (c. 1090 – 31 October 1147), was an illegitimate son of King Henry I. He was the half-brother of the Empress Matilda, and her chief military supporter during the civil war known as the Anarchy, in which she vied with Stephen of Blois for the throne of England. Robert was probably the eldest of Henry's many illegitimate children.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was born before his father's accession to the English throne, either during the reign of his grandfather William the Conqueror or his uncle William Rufus. He is sometimes and erroneously designated as a son of Nest, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, last king of Deheubarth, although his mother has been identified as a member of "the Gay or Gayt family of north Oxfordshire", possibly a daughter of Rainald or Reginald Gay (fl. 1086) of Hampton Gay and Northbrook Gay in Oxfordshire. Rainald had known issue, Robert Gay of Hampton (died c. 1138) and Stephen Gay of Northbrook (died after 1154).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A number of Oxfordshire women feature as the mothers of Robert's siblings. Robert may have been a native of Caen or he may have been only the constable and governor of that city, jure uxoris. Robert's father had contracted...

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