Robert Fitzharding (abt 1095-1170) was a citizen of Bristol with English ancestry, who became a feudal baron under King Henry II. He was an important figure during "The Anarchy" in the 12th century. He lived a relatively long life for the 12th century and built the family's political and financial position from tolerated Anglo-Saxon gentry to trusted supporters of the new Angevin king. His family was based mainly in southwestern England and he was himself a burgess in the city of Bristol, Gloucestershire.
He is given the nickname of Robert 'the Devout'. In 1141 he founded the Abbey of St. Augustine, at Bristol.
As Keats-Rohan summarizes some evidence for the way in which an alliance between Robert and the future king was documented in about 1153, possibly in a short time.
He joined the party of Duke Henry the future king Henry II, in 1153 "in a charter in which he occurs with his son Henry, his brother Jordan, and his nephews Jordan and David".[1]
1153-54 Duke Henry confirmed the dower of Robert's daughter Aldeva, given to her by her husband Nigel fitz Arthur.[2]
"Soon afterwards he was granted the lordship of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, from which Roger III of Berkeley was displaced.[3] According to both Complete Peerage and Sanders, he thereby became a feudal baron in 1155, confirmed by King Henry II. (This is the beginning of the Berkeley feudal barony, as defined by Sanders. The previous holders continued to hold their rest of their barony, which Sanders refers to as Dursley.)
As pointed out by Patterson (p.110) these agreements were also connected to marriages whereby the heirs of both the Berkeleys and the FitzHardings, married daughters from the other family.
Notes
Robert Fitz-Harding, adhering to the Princess Maud and her son, Henry I, was rewarded by him with the manor of Berthone in Gloucester, as also 100 pounds per annum for lands in Berkeley, and afterwards the whole lordship of Berkeley and Berkeley-Hernessee, thereunto belonging to Roger de Berkeley, owner of Dursley, was then divested for taking part with King Stephen.
By his wife Eva, daughter and heir of Estmond and his wife Godiva, had five sons--Henry, Maurice, Robert, Nicholas and Thomas--and dying Feb. 5, 1170-71. He with his wife lies buried in the choir of St. Augustine's Abbey near Bristol, now the Cathedral, which he founded in 1148, and being styled "Canonicus.
Keats-Rohan has an entry for him under "Filius Harding, Robert".
Sources
↑Regesta regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066-1154, Vol.3, charter 309, p.118
↑Regesta regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066-1154, Vol.3, charter 306, p.115
↑Regesta regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066-1154, Vol.3, charter 310, p.117
G.E. Cokayne et al. The Complete Peerage, 2nd ed. volume II, pp. 124-125.
Williams, The English and the Norman Conquest, 119-20;
See also
Any of these worth keeping?
Tim Powys-Lybbe (e-mail address), Re: longest living male line in England or SCotland in "Smyth's "Lives of the Berkeleys"," newsgroup message 2003-06-03 15:31:36 PST, p. 21: "Robert the first", "And may be [sic] called Robert the Devout"
The Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage of the British Empire", "The Earl of Berkeley", pp 70-71 (1882).
L. G. Pine, editor, Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry, 17th edition, (London, England: Burke's Peerage Ltd, 1952), page 1441.
C.B., LL.D., Ulster King of Arms Sir Bernard Burke, B:xP, pg. 43.
Collections for a parochial history of Barrow Gurney by Wadmore, J. A. W; Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. Northern Branch Publication date 1897 Page 1 ff
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Robin, I'm concerned that in editing so much of the biography you have removed some sections that should have remained, such as the marriage and children, and various sources. Also can you look at the European Aristocrats Project naming guidelines please, the names in the nicknames field were correct
UK and Ireland, Find A Grave Index, 1300s-Current
Birth, Marriage & Death
Name Robert Fitzharding
Spouse Eva Fitzharding
Death 1170
Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015
Birth, Marriage & Death
Name Robert Fitz-Harding Lord Berkeley
Spouse Eva Fitz-Esmond
Children Maurits I Fitz-Harding Lord Berkeley
Birth 1095
Death 5 02 1170 - Age: 75
This is confusing. One way going back from Agnes Blewett one goes back to Bluet or close to that in spelling. Now I just tried a different approach and took her back to . Maurice is the son of Robert FitzHarding [unknown confidence] It went:
23. Walter is the son of Walter Bluett [unknown confidence]
24. Walter is the son of Ralph (Blewett) Bluet [unknown confidence]
25. Maurice is the son of Robert FitzHarding [unknown
Very confusing
This profile has been identified as within the scope of the Berkeley family clean-up I am undertaking, under the umbrella of Project: British Isles Royals and Aristocrats 742-1499. Significant changes may be made to the biography (in particular) or other areas where details are disputed or unsupported. Please refer to Berkeley Family clean-up for further details.
UK and Ireland, Find A Grave Index, 1300s-Current Birth, Marriage & Death Name Robert Fitzharding Spouse Eva Fitzharding Death 1170
Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Birth, Marriage & Death Name Robert Fitz-Harding Lord Berkeley Spouse Eva Fitz-Esmond Children Maurits I Fitz-Harding Lord Berkeley Birth 1095 Death 5 02 1170 - Age: 75
23. Walter is the son of Walter Bluett [unknown confidence] 24. Walter is the son of Ralph (Blewett) Bluet [unknown confidence] 25. Maurice is the son of Robert FitzHarding [unknown Very confusing