Robert fitzRoger (died 1214) was an Anglo-Norman nobleman and Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk and Northumberland. He was a son of Roger fitzRichard and Adelisa de Vere. FitzRoger owed some of his early offices to William Longchamp, but continued in royal service even after the fall of Longchamp. His marriage to an heiress brought him more lands, which were extensive enough for him to be ranked as a baron. FitzRoger founded Langley Abbey in Norfolk in 1195.
Life FitzRoger was the son of the Anglo-Norman nobleman Roger fitzRichard, who held Warkworth Castle in Northumberland. FitzRoger was sheriff of Norfolk from Michaelmas in 1190 to Easter 1194 and then again from Michaelmas 1197 to Easter 1200.Round "Early Sheriffs of Norfolk" English Historical Review pp. 491–494 FitzRoger's first appointment as sheriff was due to the influence of William de Longchamp, who was Lord Chancellor. Longchamp's influence also secured custody of Orford Castle in Suffolk for fitzRoger.Turner and Heiser Reign of Richard Lionheart p. 116 Longchamp also arranged for fitzRoger to have custody of Eye Castle in Suffolk.Heiser "Castles, Constables, and Politics" Albion p. 34 When Longchamp fell from royal favour and was replaced by Walter of Coutances, fitzRoger was one of the few of Longchamp's appointments to retain his office of sheriff.Turner and Heiser Reign of Richard Lionheart p. 132
FitzRoger founded the monastery of Langley Abbey in Norfolk in 1195 for Premonstratensian canons.Olivia Convent and the Community in Late Medieval England p. 16 He purchased royal confirmation of his ownership of Warkworth in 1199Goodall Warkworth Castle and Hermitage p. 35 and in 1205 was granted Newburn and the barony of Whalton in Northumberland. Warkworth and Newburn were occasionally considered baronies, but not consistently.Sanders English Baronies p. 150 FitzRoger also held Clavering from Henry of Essex for one knight's fee.Keats-Rohan Domesday Descendants p. 953 FitzRoger's holdings were extensive enough that he was considered a baron during the reigns of King Richard ITurner and Heiser Reign of Richard Lionheart p. 103 and King John of England.Russell "Social Status" Speculum p. 324 He was one of John's favourites and hosted the king at Warkworth in 1213.
FitzRoger married Margaret,Keats-Rohan Domesday Descendants p. 416 one of the daughters and heiresses of William de Chesney, the founder of Sibton Abbey.Keats-Rohan Domesday Descendants p. 370 Margaret was one of three daughters, but she inherited the bulk of her father's estates.Green Aristocracy of Norman England p. 380 Margaret was the widow of Hugh de Cressy. Through Margaret, Roger gained the barony of Blythburgh in Suffolk.Sanders English Baronies p. 16 He also acquired lands at Rottingdean in Sussex from Margaret.Loyd Origins of Some Anglo-Norman Families p. 35
FitzRoger died in 1214, and his heir was his son by his wife Margaret, John fitzRobert. Margaret survived fitzRoger and paid a fine of a thousand pounds to the king for the right to administer her lands and dower properties herself. His daughter Alice married Peter FitzHerbert of Blewleveny.Cokayne Complete Peerage Vol. 5 p. 465
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