Robert of Burgate

Robert of Burgate was a 13th century landowner, nobleman, and household knight for John, King of England.

Origins

Before 1204, Robert was a minor knight who held two knights fiefs in Burgate, Suffolk.[1] By 1205, the barony (honour) of Eye was in the hands of the kings half-brother Earl William Longsword.[1] In the same year, Robert and his squire William Talbot made a pledge of surety for the earl to have two casks of wine.[1] It is likely that Robert was able to use his association with Longsword as a stepping stone to becoming a member of the royal court.[2]

Life and career

By 1208 Robert had acquired the honour of eye (presumably as an administrator) through his service in the royal household [2]. He had a clear connection with the Earl and was often mentioned in documents together with him [2]. One example of the extent of their bond is that Robert was responsible for collecting the earls monetary payment (called a money fief) from the exchquer in 1210[2]. Additionally the earl was one of the men who vouched for Robert for his ability to pay the 700 marks due for his marriage to Gallena Brewer[2]. This is important because it gives us some glimpse of just how close the earl was with Robert. As the kings half-brother, Williams word carried weight and his decision to vouch for Robert combined with the other links aforementioned seem to imply that the two were quite close. In 1210 Robert of Burgate helped the king pay imprests and wages for troops in the Ireland campaign[2].

After Robert was married he came held significant lands by right of his wife in Suffolk, though he also held significant lands in Suffolk.[3] Robert is known to have acquired several manors and estates from his service to the crown.[4] Throughout his career, he acquired the great house of Wascheth in Oxfordshire, and the Manor of Daventry.[4]

In 1213, he was the kings paymaster and commander for his sergeants to prepare for the expected French invasion.[5] This was not the only time Robert was employed to handle money, and it seems that he was one of the kings go-to men in financial matters[6](44, 54, 56). He was also castellan of Dover castle from 1211-1213 (though it seems his squire William Talbot was de facto castellan). Around 1215, he was the member of a diplomatic mission to Otto of Brunswick.[7] In 1216, Robert along with Engelram de Furnet and Gilbert de Sanes were given the custody of Framlingham Castle (a rebel castle which had been confiscated), however he was ordered to return to the kings side leaving the other two knights to manage the castle, presumably because of the fact that he was one of the kings closest men.

It is known that at some point in John's reign he was briefly custodian of the archbishopric of York and of the castle and honour of knaresborough during Brian de Lisle's short estrangement with King John.[8]

Family

He married Gallena Brewer widow of John Brewer and heir of William de Dammartin.[9] He may have had issue.

References
  1. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 33. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  2. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 34. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  3. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  4. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 92. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  5. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  6. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. pp. 44, 54, 56. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  7. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 71. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  8. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 61. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
  9. Church, S. D. (1999). The household knights of King John. Cambridge University Press. p. 71. ISBN 0-511-00213-0. OCLC 48139481.
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