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FITZ WIMARC Robert
Birth: ABT 1000
Death: BEF 1075 Theydon Mount, Ongar, Essex, England
Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_of_Essex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_FitzWimarc
Robert fitz Wimarc (died before 1075, Theydon Mount, Ongar, Essex) was a kinsman
of both Edward the Confessor and William of Normandy, and was present at Edward's
death bed.
Nothing of his background is known except his kinship to the English and Norman
leadership and that his byname appears to be a Breton name, Wiomar'ch. He was
brought to England by Edward and had a successful career, being rewarded with
numerous lands in various parts of the country. He had a special interest in Essex and
set up his main base at Clavering. It was to Clavering that many of Edward's Norman
favourites fled when they were ousted from political power in 1052, before taking ship
into exile. Despite being a Norman, Robert stayed in England and found further favour
with Edward, and possibly with Harold Godwinson after him.
Robert was later made Sheriff of Essex and was described as regalia palatil stabilitor -
high officer or sometimes staller - of the royal palace. When Edward died in January
1066, Robert was one of the four inner councillors present at his death bed, along
with the Queen, Edith of Wessex, Earl Harold Godwinson and Archbishop Stigand, an
event captured on the Bayeux Tapestry.
Robert seems to have acquiesced with Harold's succession to the throne, but also
seems to have kept in touch with his homeland. When William landed at Pevensey it
was Robert who contacted him to advise a retreat back to France. The advice was,
apparently, that William had neither the strength nor numbers to win a battle against
Harold, particularly as Harold was buoyed by his victory against the Norwegians at
Stamford Bridge.
Robert clearly remained in favour with William after his victory at Hastings, and
subsequent succession, as he retained his estates, and was further rewarded with
others. He left his extensive estates to his son Suen (Swein of Essex), who went on to
build Rayleigh Castle.
Robert fitz Wimarc seems to have been a prudent man, with a fair degree of wisdom
who helped to ease the transition from Saxon to Norman England.
He is remembered in Rayleigh, Essex, where one of the town's secondary schools is
named The fitz Wimarc School.
Marriage To ----- ----- ()
m.
Notes
Children by ----- -----
OF ESSEX Swein (ABT 1045 - AFT 1086)
Produced by Fzip 1.7 6/20/2017