Robert, Earl of Gloucester
Robert, Earl of Gloucester.
Illegitimate son of
Henry I.
See
wikipedia.
He mar 1119 to
Mabel FitzRobert
[dau of
Robert Fitzhamon].
He was created
Earl of Gloucester 1121.
He was a major military leader.
He controlled
Bristol.
He founded
St James' Priory, Bristol,
between 1124 and 1137.
He built the keep of
Bristol Castle, starting in 1130.
His father
Henry I died 1135, leaving no legitimate son.
Robert supported the claim of his half-sister
Matilda
to the throne.
He died 1147.
An effigy at St James' Priory
was thought for a long time to be him.
But recent thinking says it is not him.
He
had issue:
- William FitzRobert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester,
had issue:
-
Amice fitz William,
mar
Richard de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford
and had issue.
- Maud of Gloucester, or Matilda,
mar Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester,
had issue:
- Hugh de Kevilioc, 5th Earl of Chester,
had issue:
- Matilda of Chester,
mar David, Earl of Huntingdon
and had issue.
- Agnes of Chester,
mar 1192 to
William de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby
and had issue.
Effigy in St James' Priory, Bristol
An effigy at
St James' Priory, Bristol,
was thought for a long time to be
Robert, Earl of Gloucester (died 1147).
There is a
19th century plaque
saying it is him.
But recent thinking says it is a 13th century merchant.
See
newer notice
in the church.

The effigy.
Photo 2019.
See
full size.
See
closer
and
closer.
Drawing of the effigy of "Robert Consul, Earl of Gloucester".
From The Monumental Effigies of Great Britain
by Thomas Hollis and George Hollis,
part 3, 1840.