FITZSTEPHEN, ROBERT (died c. 1183), one of the conquerors of Ireland

Son of Stephen, constable of Cardigan castle in 1136, by Nest, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr. He had lands in Cemais and succeeded his father as constable of Cardigan. When Henry II invaded the realm of Owain Gwynedd in North Wales in 1157, Robert went to his assistance with a fleet. In the fighting he was badly wounded but escaped to the waiting ships. He seems to have successfully defended the fortress of Cardigan for the Clares for a long period, even against the onslaught of Hywel ab Owain in 1145. Not until 1165, after Rhys ap Gruffydd had subdued almost the whole of Ceredigion, did the castle fall into the hands of the Welsh. It was then betrayed to Rhys, razed to the ground, and Robert was imprisoned for over three years. On his release he crossed to Ireland to aid the king of Leinster and played a significant role in the conquest of Ireland where he was granted lands in Wexford and its neighbourhood. In 1177 he received a joint grant of the kingdom of Cork, where he ruled until his death, c. 1183. The abbey of Strata Florida was founded in 1164 on land given to the monks by Robert. He also gave Llanfyrnach on the Taf to the knights of Slebech.

Author

• Dr Bertie George Charles, (1908 - 2000)

Sources

• J. E. Lloyd, A History of Wales from the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest (London 1911), 499, 504, 519, 538-9, 597
• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
• Richard Fenton, A Historical Tour through Pembrokeshire (London 1811). (2nd ed.), 347

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: Robert Fitz-Stephen

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q3400910

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/