Robert (Blanchemains) de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester

Male 1135 - 1190  (~ 55 years)


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  • Name Robert (Blanchemains) de Beaumont 
    Suffix 3rd Earl of Leicester 
    Born ca 1135  Leicestershire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 31 Aug 1190  Durrës, Albania Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Buried at sea Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Wikipedia
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Beaumont,_3rd_Earl_of_Leicester

      He was an English nobleman, one of the principal followers of Henry the Young King in the Revolt of 1173-1174 against his father Henry II. He is also called Robert Blanchemains (meaning "White Hands" in French).

      As the son of Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester, a staunch supporter of Henry II, he inherited from his father large estates in England and Normandy. When the revolt of the younger Henry broke out in April 1173, Robert went to his castle at Breteuil in Normandy and then went to Flanders, where he raised a large force of mercenaries, and landed at Walton, Suffolk, on 29 September 1173. He joined forces with Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk, and the two marched west, aiming to cut England in two. They were intercepted by the king's supporters and defeated at the Battle of Fornham, near Bury St Edmunds, on 17 October. Robert, along with his wife and many others, was taken prisoner. Henry II took away the earl's lands and titles as well.

      He remained in captivity until January 1177, well after most of the other prisoners had been released. The king was in a strong position and could afford to be merciful; not long after his release Robert's lands and titles were restored, but not his castles. Robert had little influence in the remaining years of Henry II's reign, but was restored to favor by Richard I. He carried one of the swords of state at Richard's coronation in 1189. In 1190 Robert went on the third crusade to Palestine, but he died at Dyrrachium on his return journey.

      Robert married Petronilla, who was a daughter of William de Grandmesnil and great-granddaughter and eventual heiress to the English lands of Domesday baron, Hugh de Grandmesnil. They had five children:

      1. Robert, who succeeded his father as Earl of Leicester;

      2. Roger, who became Bishop of St Andrews in 1189;

      3. William, possibly the ancestor of the House of Hamilton;

      4. Amicia, who married Simon de Montfort, and whose son Simon subsequently became Earl of Leicester;

      5. Margaret, who married Saer de Quincy, later 1st Earl of Winchester.


    Person ID I36126  Master File
    Last Modified 22 Sep 2016 

    Father Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester,   b. ca 1104, Leicestershire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 05 Apr 1168, Brackley, Northamptonshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 64 years) 
    Mother Amice de Montfort 
    Family ID F14899  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Petronilla de Grandmesnil, Countess of Leicester,   b. ca 1123, Leicestershire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 01 Apr 1212, Leicestershire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 89 years) 
    Children 
     1. Margaret de Beaumont,   b. ca 1156, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Jan 1235, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 79 years)
    Last Modified 22 Sep 2016 
    Family ID F14898  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart