Clues to Maternity of Robert Fitz Roy, Earl of Gloucester, bastard son of King Henry I of England

[Douglas Richardson]

Dear Newsgroup ~

I've been collecting references to various kinsfolk of Robert Fitz
Roy, Earl of Gloucester (died 1147), which Robert was an illegitimate
son of King Henry I of England (died 1135). The historian, David
Crouch, has stated in print that Earl Robert's mother is "a woman
identifiable as a member of the Gay family of Hampton and Northbrook,
Oxfordshire." He bases this statement on the first citation below.
However, the citation does not say that Earl Robert's mother was a
Gay, only that Philip de Gai was a "kinsman" [cognatum] of Earl
Robert. In pressing his case, Mr. Crouch ignored the other kinsfolk
of Earl Robert.

That Earl Robert's mother was a Norman (rather than a member of the
English Gay family) is suggested by the 4th citation below which
indicates that Nigel Fitz William, an owner of lands at Fécamp, was
“kinsman” [nepos] of Earl Robert. Likewise, the 6th citation below
indicates that Jocelin [de Bohun], Bishop of Salisbury was"kinsman" to
Earl Robert's son, William, Earl of Gloucester. Bishop Jocelin de
Bohun was a member of the senior branch of the Bohun family which held
extensive lands in Normandy.

Thomas "nepos Comitis" mentioned below appears in at least one charter
of Earl Robert. He used the same style "nepos Comitis" in the
lifetime of Earl Robert's son and heir, Earl William. In the fifth
item below, it appears that Thomas' wife, Mabel, was the niece of
Richard de Grenville, of Kilkhampton, Cornwall.

At present, I'm unable to explain how these various kinsfolk are
related to Robert Fitz Roy, Earl of Gloucester, or to his son, Earl
William. However, perhaps a newsgroup member knows of some additional
evidence which would tie these various people together. For now, it
seems clear that Mr. Crouch overstated the implication of the one
piece of evidence he advanced had which indicated that Philip de Gay
was only "kinsman" to Earl Robert.

Best always, Douglas Richardson, Salt Lake City, Utah

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1. Thorpe, Florentii Wigorniensis Monachi Chronicon ex Chronicis 1
(1848): 109 (Chronicle of Florence of Worcester: sub A.D. 1138: Philip
[de] Gai styled “kinsman” of Robert, Earl of Gloucester [quendam
comitis cognatum Philippum Gai nuncupatum]).

2. Orderici Vitalis, Ecclesiasticæ Historiæ Lbri Tredecim 5 (1855):
112–113 ([Christian], wife of William Fitz Alan, styled “kinswoman” of
Robert, Earl of Gloucester [neptem Rodberti comitis Gloucestræ]).

3. Great Roll of the Pipe for the 6th Year of the Reign of King Henry
the Second, A.D. 1159–1160 (Pubs. Pipe Roll Soc. 2) (1884): 51 (Thomas
styled “kinsman”/“nephew” of the Earl of Gloucester [Thomas nepos
Com[itis] Gloec.] in 1160).

4. Round, Cal. of Documents Preserved in France 1 (1899): 504 (Nigel
Fitz William, owner of lands at Fécamp, styled “kinsman” [nepos] of
Robert, Earl of Gloucester in charter dated c.1128) [see also VCH
Middlesex 2 (1911): 400; Davis Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum 1066–
1154 2 (1956): 221, 362].

5. Hull, Cartulary of Launceston Priory (Devon & Cornwall Rec. Soc.
n.s. 30) (1987): 148–149 (undated gift and confirmation of Thomas
nephew of the Earl of Gloucester and Mabel his wife; charter names
Mabel’s uncle, Richard de Greinville, oif Kilkhampton, Cornwall).

6. Caenegem, English Lawsuits from William I to Richard I 2 (Selden
Soc. 107) (1991): 600–601 (Jocelin [de Bohun], Bishop of Salisbury,
styled “kinsman” by William, Earl of Gloucester).

[John]

William FitzAlan of Oswestry, a staunch supporter of the Earl of
Gloucester in the wars of this period, is said by some sources,
notably Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire, to have married as his 1st
wife a niece (or kinswomen? if the term in the original was "neptis")
of the Earl. This connection might also give some clues as to the
Earl's mother.