Robert FitzWalter

Also known as: Robert Fitz Walter / Robert Fitz Walter the yoonger · Family: England · Role: nobleman · First appears: King John 8

Robert FitzWalter was an English nobleman who, c. 1203, surrendered Le Val de Rueil alongside Saer de Quincy, Earl of Winchester during Philip II of France’s invasion of Normandy. In 1212, accused and suspected of treason by King John, he fled to France with Stephen Ridell; the two “were glad to flée the realme.” By c. 1215, he stood with the barons against King John, serving as their general and working alongside William de Beauchamp, who secretly surrendered Bedford Castle to them.

After King John accepted the barons’ demands, Robert FitzWalter was chosen as one of twenty-five to ensure that the granted liberties were observed. Pope Innocent III then excommunicated him by name. In the barons’ extremity, Robert and Saer de Quincy, Earl of Winchester sent letters to Louis VIII, “offering him the crowne of England” in return for military aid; later, Robert acted with William de Mandeville and William de Huntingfield in Essex and Suffolk.