Walter (FitzRoger) de Gloucester (abt. 1065 - 1129)

Born about 1065 in Gloucestershire, England

Husband of Berthe (Ballon) of Gloucester — married 1087 in England

Descendants

Died 1129 at about age 64 in Abbey, Gloucestershire, England

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Biography

Birth and Parents

Walter was the son of Roger de Pitres and nephew of Durand of Gloucester. ^[1]

He was a Norman from Pitres, Eure, can. Pont-de-l'Arche. ^[1]

The name of his mother, Adeliza, is supplied in Cart. S. Petri Gloc i.81, 125, 188-9, 353; ii/ 129. ^[1]

Birth Year Estimation: His father's birth having been estimated as 1040, estimated his own birth as 1065.

Donations

He occurs ibid., i.123, as donor of Westwood for the soul of his brother Herbert, and confirming a grant of his father Roger at Colne (ibid., ii, 235). ^[1]

Walter donated Westwood to Gloucester Abbey for the soul of his brother Herbert and confirmed a grant of Colne by his father Roger. He endowed the canons of Llanthony Priory in Wales with lands from his lordship of Beryntone and retired to the abbey in his old age where he died a monk and was buried in the chapter house. ^[2]

1097 Sheriff of Gloucestershire

Sheriff of Gloucestershire; that office, with the office of castellan of Gloucester Castle, was passed to him circa 1097. Like his father, he held Gloucester Castle directly from the king. He was given a wide range of duties, including responsibilities in south Wales, and he acquired the office of royal constable, probably in 1114. ^[2]

1109 Defense of Carmarthen

In 1109, King Henry sent Walter, then perhaps his most experienced administrator, to command the castle of Rhyd y Gors near Carmarthan, Merlin's town. The defense of this territory now depended upon the castle built on a bluff above the river at Carmarthan. That was to remain a royal castle and the center of royal influence in south Wales. For this and other service, Walter reaped a succession of comparatively minor rewards in lands and offices. ^[2]

1112 Additional Castles

Before 1112 Walter built a new castle at Gloucester west of Barbican hill on a former garden of Gloucester Abbey, overlooking the Severn.^[2]

Walter erected or had a part in the erection of the castles of Bristol and Rochester as well as the Tower of London. ^[2]

1129 Death

At his death in 1129 Walter left issue by his wife Bertha of Miles of Gloucester (q.v.) and Matilda, wife of Richard fitz Pons (q.v.); Comp. Peer. vi, 451-7. ^[1]

Source

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Keats-Rohan, K. S. B. Domesday People. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell Press. Entry for "Walter de Gloecestria". pp. 451.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Source is apparently the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, however, this needs to be clarified and an exact citation needs to be created.

See also:

• Cole, Robert. Rental of All The Houses in Gloucester, A.D. 1455 (John Bellows, Gloucester, 1890) Page xv: Translation of return of the landgavel, etc. of Gloucester, A.D. 1096-1101. "Walter the Sheriff", see footnote.