- Robert Fitz-Stephen
Robert Fitz-Stephen (fl. 1150) was the son of Stephen, constable of Cardigan, whom Robert succeeded in that office. His mother was Nest, a Welsh princess and former mistress of Henry I.
Robert first appears in history in 1157, when King
Henry II of England invaded Gwynedd. While the main royal army faced the forces ofOwain Gwynedd east of theRiver Conwy , a force including Robert and his half-brother Henry Fitz Roy (illegitimate son of Nest and King Henry I) attackedAnglesey by sea. However, this force was defeated in a battle in which Robert was seriously wounded and Henry killed.Robert was captured in November
1165 byRhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys). WhenDermot MacMurrough who had been deposed as king ofLeinster visitedEngland andAquitaine in 1167 to seek aid in recovering his throne, he appears to have appealed to Rhys to release Robert for an expedition to Ireland. Rhys did not oblige at the time, but in response to a further appeal in 1168 released Robert from captivity.In 1169, Robert led the vanguard of Dermot's Anglo-Welsh auxiliaries to
Ireland , and capturedWexford , which he was then allowed to hold jointly with Maurice Fitz Gerald. Taken prisoner by the Irish in 1171, he was by them surrendered to Henry II, who appointed him lieutenant of the justiciary of Ireland,Hugh de Lacy . Robert rendered good service in the troubles of 1173, and was rewarded by receiving, jointly withMiles Cogan , a grant of Cork (1177). He had difficulty in maintaining his position and was nearly overwhelmed by a rising of Desmond in 1182. The date of his death is uncertain.External links
* [http://www.ku.edu/carrie/texts/carrie_books/nelson/7.html The Cambro-Norman Reaction: The Invasion of Ireland]
* [http://www.britannia.com/history/docs/giraldus.html The Norman Conquest of Ireland (12th Century)]
* [http://mccarthy.montana.com/Articles/BattleOfCallann.html Battle of Callann]References
*
John Edward Lloyd (1911) "A history of Wales from the earliest times to the Edwardian conquest" (Longmans, Green & Co.)
*1911
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