Robert FitzHenry - Lord de Lathom

• Preferred Name: Robert FitzHenry - Lord de Lathom^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}
  
• Gender: M
  
• FSID: GQ9H-T84
  
• Fact: with note: Description: https://www.geni.com/people/Robert-de-Lathom-4th-Earl-of-Lathom/6000000008248529197?through=6000000003086744270
  
• LdsSealingToParents: 22 JAN 1952 with note: GEDCOM data
  
• Birth: 18 AUG 1123 in Lathom St James, Lancashire, England at LATI: N3.5804 LONG: E2.8167
  
• Death: 28 DEC 1185 in Lathom St James, Lancashire, England at LATI: N3.5804 LONG: E2.8167
  
• Burial: 2 DEC 1185 in Lathom Park Chapel, Lathom, Lancashire, England at LATI: N3.5804 LONG: E2.8167
  
• LdsEndowment: 1 JUN 1948 with note: GEDCOM data
  
• Fact: NOT MARRIED with note: Description: https://www.geni.com/people/Robert-de-Lathom-4th-Earl-of-Lathom/6000000008248529197?through=6000000003086744270
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Sir
  
• LdsBaptism: 8 NOV 1947 with note: GEDCOM data
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  Robert Fitz-Henry de Lathom, 4th Earl of Lathom. B: 18 Aug 1123, Lathom House, Lathom, Lancashire, England. M: 23 May 1143, Chapelry of Lathom Cemetery, Lathom, Lancashire, England. D: 1198, Lathom House, Lathom, Lancashire, England. Interred: 2 Dec 1185, Chapelry of Lathom Cemetery, Lathom, Lancashire, England.
  
  Note: Robert is presumed to have married a daughter of Orm Magnus & Orm's wife, Emma de Grelle*. The 'Testa de Neville' states that Albert de Grelle, Baron of Manchester, gave to Orm in marriage with his daughter Emma, abt. 1170. With this Marriage came the following: One Knight's fee in Dalton, Parbold & Wrightington and one Carucate of land in Estone.
  
  The Priory of Burscough was founded for the order of Black Canons, in the reign of Richard I., its founder being Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom.
  
  The name of his wife does not appear, but it is evident from the records that she was the daughter and heiress of Orme Fitz-Ailward, who had received Ormatone in marriage with Emma, daughter of Albert de Gredle, the Elder. Orme had inherited Ormskirk from Ormus Magnus, whose wife was Alix, sister of Herveus Walter, the ancestor of the Botelers (today Butler).
  
  Robert was born on 18 August 1123 at Castle of Lathom, Lancaster, England. There is a "Legend" that the mother of Robert was actually Martha Jane Hargrove.
  
  One version of the story is that he was fairly unfaithful to his wife Lady Alice. He was a mean and abusive husband. He had a long term affair with Martha Jane Hargrove and he had divorced Lady Alice to marry her. On the very day of his 2nd wedding, he was riding horseback with the wedding party. He was galloping after Martha when he failed to duck under a tree limb. He was knocked from his horse and broke his neck.
  
  Lady Alice with the help of her friends and relatives was able to get the marriage annulled because it was never "legally" consummated. Lady Alice was named regent for her son Robert. It is said of Martha Hargrove that she bore Lord Henry a bastard daughter 8 months after his death.
  
  Legend has it that the Lord of Lathom had no son born in wedlock but cunningly contrived to walk his lady through the Park one day to a grove of tall trees where the tiny infant of his begetting was waiting. Upon instruction, the baby's mother had dumped him there. The Lady ran to pick the baby up and took him home as companion for their own daughter. Soon the boy, Oskatel,( now, Robert) had won his father's affections such that he was about to alienate all the Lathom's lands from the rightful heiress who had become betrothed to a member of the Stanley family. The Stanleys always chose heiresses for their sons, so they very soon told the Lord of Lathom what he must do. Finally, he was diverted from his purpose and on his death Lathom came, in marriage, to the Stanleys, who adopted the Eagle and Child as a badge, as a constant reminder how easily it may have been lost to them.3
  
  Said to be HRH Prince Charles's 24-Great Grandfather. PM Churchill's 21-Great Grandfather. Lady Diana's 23-Great Grandfather. P.M. Cameron's 24-Great Grandfather. ]
  
  Robert Latham (called Robert fitz Henry) was founder of Burscough priory, which was endowed by him with the churches of Ormskirk and Flixton, cira 1180.
  
  The Priory of Burscough was founded for the order of Black Canons, in the reign of Richard I., its founder being Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom, son of Henry de Torbock and Lathom, supposed to be a descendant from Orm; and Britton, in his Beauties of Lancashire, observes that its noble founder "endowed it with considerable property, emoluments, and alms; and, according to the weak superstition of the age, thought thereby to obtain pardon and rest for the souls of Henry the Second, John, Earl of Moreton, hirnself, his wife, and those of his ancestors; at the same time wishing the kingdom of Heaven to all persons who would increase the gift; and giving to the Devil and his Angels all who should impiously infringe on his bequests."
  
  --
  
  From Miscellanea Palatina, 1850:
  
  Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom, so describes himself in his Foundation Charter of Burscough Priory, between 1159 and 1199, endowing it with lands in Burscough, Merton, Lathom, St. Leonard's in Knouseley, and the churches of Ormskirk, Huyton, and Flixton,' for the souls of Henry II, John then Earl of Mortune, himself, his wife, parents, ancestors and successors. The Charter is witnessed by Richard Fitz-Henry, considered to have been his brother, and ancestor of the Torbocks, and by Robert Fitz-Richard and Richard his brother, seemingly the Founder's grandsons. The Inquisition of 13 Job.' names Richard Fitz-Robert as grantee from Albert de Gredle of what is written (seemingly corruptly) iVJla/fshar,^ then vested in his heirs, and also mentions his grant of lands to the Nuns at Chester, who had land in Lathom at the dissolution. His death was in or before 1201. The name of the wife of Robert Fitz-Henry docs not appear, but it is demonstrable from the tenor of Records that she was daughter and heiress, or co-heiress of Okme Fitz-Ailward, who is named in the Inquisition above-mentioned (in the paragraph preceding the notice of Henry Fitz-Siwards grant in Flixton) as having received Estone (afterwards Ormsstone and Urmston) in marriage with Emma daughter of Albert de Grelle the elder, and as having previously and similarly received from him Dalton. Parbold, and Wrightington, which are expressly solicited in the Testa de Nevill to be held by Robert Fitz-Henry 's descendant Robert de Lathom in one passage, and in another by the heir "/ Onue above-mentioned, thus fixing Robert de Lathom as that heir."
  
  ) Robert de Latham, the eldest son of Henry, married, presumably, a daughter of Orme Magnus. The "Testa de Neville" states that Albert de Grelle, Baron of Manchester, gave to Orme, in marriage with his daughter Emma, about 1170, one knight's fee in Dalton, Parbold, and Wrightington, and one carucate of land in Eston. These estates came into possession of the Lathams who held them for many centuries. This Robert Latham (called Robert fitz Henry) was founder of Burscough priory, which was endowed by him with the churches of Ormskirk and Flixton, cira 1180.
  
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  === Some historical background information on the first Lathom family members documented from historical records in England ===
  There appears to be considerable confusion in many records, particularly private records, concerning the pedigree of the Lathom family (also spelled in some records Latham). The first documented member of the family is Dunning de Lathom, who appears in historical records in “Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire”, “The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Volume 4” and “British History Online” [See documents in the Memories section]. Some records suggest he was born about 1030-1035, but that must be in error. There are ten well-documented generations between Dunning and Isabel Lathom, who last held the manor of Lathom and through her marriage to Sir John Stanley took the manor of Lathom to the Stanley family. Isabel Lathom was born about 1360-1365, marrying John Stanley about 1385. If Dunning de Lathom was born as early as 1030, there would be about 330 years between his birth and the birth of Isabel Lathom. One would expect to find 12 to 13 generations in a 330-year period of time, but there are only 10 generations of the Lathom family in that period of time. Dunning de Lathom simply could not have been born as early as many records suggest. The name of his wife is not given in the historical records.
  
  The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster contains a Lathom pedigree which confirms that Dunning was “living in the time of the Conquest”, without stating a particular date. What that suggests is that Dunning was born before 1066 and a time of birth about 1060-1065 appears to be a more accurate date for his birth. Dunning still did not hold the estate at Lathom at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. The Manor of Lathom was among the 288 properties held from William the Conqueror by Roger de Poitou (also called Roger the Poitevin) who had accompanied the Conqueror to England in 1066. However, in 1102, Roger de Poitou joined in the rebellion against King Henry I, lead by Henry’s older brother Robert, and lost his holdings in England and was banished to France. Thus, it appears that Dunning could not have become Lord of Lathom until at least 1102 and it seems most likely that Dunning may have been a tenant of Roger de Poitou residing at Lathom in 1102 and Henry I simply allowed Dunning to remain at Lathom when Roger de Poitou forfeited his English properties while still retaining his French properties.
  
  There are also some private records which suggest that Dunning could be the son of Uchtred, Earl of Northumbria. That is totally in error. Uchtred was assassinated in 1016, some 50 years before the Conquest, so there is no possible connection between Uchtred and Dunning. Some records suppose that Dunning was an Earl, likely thinking he descended from Earl Uchtred. That is also in error. An Earl, called a Count on the European Continent, was a nobleman generally over an entire county, or at least a significant portion of a county. Being the lord of one or two manors does not make a person an Earl. And in the list of Earls created by William the Conqueror and later by King Stephen and by his cousin Maud, daughter of Henry I, there is no Earl named Dunning.
  
  Dunning was succeeded at Lathom by his son Siward Fitz-Dunning (Siward son of Dunning). Some records suggest Siward was born about 1070-1075, but again he must have been born much later, more in the time frame of 1095-1100 and he likely did not succeed Dunning at Lathom before about 1115-1125. The name of his wife is also not given in the historical records.
  
  Siward Fitz-Dunning had two documented sons: Orme Fitz-Siward and Henry Fitz-Siward. Orme Fitz-Siward married Emma, the youngest daughter of Albert de Gresley (also spelled Greslet, Gresle, Grelley, Grelle, and Greile in the Battle Abbey Roll), Third Baron of Manchester. Albert de Gresley was the son of Robert de Gresley who was the son of the first Albert de Gresley who accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066 and became the first Baron of Manchester, although he was a non-resident Lord of Manchester. The first Gresley to actually live in Manchester was Robert de Gresley. If the first Albert accompanied William the Conqueror to England (and he is found in the Domesday Book and also in the Battle Abbey Roll), he was likely born by 1040-1045. His son Robert was likely born in England following the Conquest, perhaps by 1070-1075. His son, Albert, the Third Baron of Manchester, could have been born about 1095-1100 and his reported youngest daughter Emma would have been born about 1125-1130, which would make her the right age to marry Orme Fitz-Siward who was likely also born about 1125-1130. The history “The Barony of Grelley” does not name Emma as a daughter of Albert, the Third Baron, but “The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster” does [See documents in the Memories section attached to the Gresleys].
  
  If Orme Fitz-Siward was born about 1125-1130 as noted above, that would place Henry Fitz-Siward’s birth at about 1128-1133, not in the 1090s as suggested in some records. The historical records do not name the wife of Henry Fitz-Siward and private records naming his wife appear speculative at best.
  
  Orme Fitz-Siward and his wife Emma de Gresley had at least three children: Roger Fitz-Orme de Assbeton, Thomas Fitz-Orme de Assbeton, and an unnamed daughter of Orme Fitz-Siward and Emma de Gresley. Henry Fitz-Siward had two identified sons: Sir Robert de Lathom, Lord of Lathom and Parbold (also called Robert Fitz-Henry), and Sir Richard de Lathom, Lord of Torbec (also called Richard Fitz-Henry).
  
  Sir Robert de Lathom (Robert Fitz-Henry] married the unnamed daughter of Orme Fitz-Siward and Emma de Gresley by which Robert obtained Parbold. Such a marriage would mean that Robert married his first cousin, because Robert is the son of Henry and his wife is the daughter of Orme, the older brother of Henry. That marriage was quite likely an attempt to retain the lands that the Lathoms held closely within the family. Some private records suggest that the wife of Robert de Lathom was Emma de Gresley, but that is in error. Emma de Gresley was the mother of Robert’s wife, not his wife. Robert de Lathom (Robert Fitz-Henry) was likely born no earlier than 1155-1160, not in the 1120s as some records suggest, with his brother Richard born about 1158-1163. Robert de Lathom (Robert Fitz-Henry) died in 1199. This is confirmed by a lawsuit filed on 29 October 1199 by Amabel, the wife of Robert, against Richard de Lathom the son of Robert [See document in the Memories section]. British History Online in a footnote notes that Amabel was probably the second wife of Robert, because she is referred to as "dau. of Simon" and Robert’s first wife “was the daughter and heiress of Orm, son of Ailward, and his wife Emma, dau. of Albert Grelley”. It is interesting to note that British History Online calls Emma’s father “Orm, son of Ailward” rather than Orme Fitz-Siward (Orme son of Siward) as he is referred to in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster. But, clearly, Orm, son of Ailward, and Orme Fitz-Siward are the same person, spouse of Emma de Gresely (Grelley). Emma must have died quite some time before 1199 for Robert to have remarried, perhaps by 1190. Lending further credence to the fact that Amabel was the second wife is the fact that she felt it necessary to file suit against Robert’s son and heir Richard de Lathom for a dowry. If she had been the mother of Richard, certainly he would have provided for his mother as a caring son. However, he may have been reluctant to provide for a step-mother that he may have considered something of a “gold-digger”, trying to get his father’s wealth. The name of the wife of Richard de Lathom is not given in the historical records.

1. Richard FitzRobert de Lathom, b. 22 MAY 1145 in Yorkshire, England     d. 23 APR 1220 in Dalton, Lancashire, England

1. Title: Lathom family in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 198 [See document in the Memories section]
   Author: The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 198
   Note: Lathom family in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 198 [See document in the Memories section]
   Page: Lathom family in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 198 [See document in the Memories section]
   
2. Title: Lathom family in British History Online ~https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp247-258 [See document in the memories section]
   Publication: Name: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp247-258;
   Note: Lathom family in British History Online ~https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp247-258 [See document in the memories section]
   Page: Lathom family in British History Online ~https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp247-258 [See document in the memories section]
   
3. Title: Lawsuit following death of Robert FitzHenry (son of Henry FitzSiward de Lathom) involving Amabel, his wife, and his son Richard (Richard FitzRobert de Lathom) in British History Online [See document in the memories section]
   Author: British History Online
   Note: Lawsuit following death of Robert FitzHenry (son of Henry FitzSiward de Lathom) involving Amabel, his wife, and his son Richard (Richard FitzRobert de Lathom) in British History Online [See document in the memories section]
   Page: Lawsuit following death of Robert FitzHenry (son of Henry FitzSiward de Lathom) involving Amabel, his wife, and his son Richard (Richard FitzRobert de Lathom) in British History Online [See document in the memories section]
   
4. Title: Lathom pedigree in the History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, vol. 3, pg. 479 [See document in the Memories section]
   Author: History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, vol. 3, pg. 479
   Note: Lathom pedigree in the History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, vol. 3, pg. 479 [See document in the Memories section]
   Page: Lathom pedigree in the History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, vol. 3, pg. 479 [See document in the Memories section]
   
5. Title: Robert FitzHenry de Lathom in the Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 2, pg. 54 [See document in the Memories section]
   Author: Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 2, pg. 54
   Note: Robert FitzHenry de Lathom in the Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 2, pg. 54 [See document in the Memories section]
   Page: Robert FitzHenry de Lathom in the Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 2, pg. 54 [See document in the Memories section]
   
6. Title: Lathom family in Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire ~http://archive.org/stream/miscellaneapalat00orme#page/n153/mode/1up, pg. 60-65 [See document in the memories section]
   Publication: Name: https://archive.org/details/miscellaneapalat00orme/page/n145/mode/2up;
   Note: Lathom family in Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire ~https://archive.org/details/miscellaneapalat00orme/page/n145/mode/2up [See document in the memories section]
   Page: Lathom family in Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire ~https://archive.org/details/miscellaneapalat00orme/page/n145/mode/2up, pg. 60-65 [See document in the memories section]
   
7. Title: FamilySearch Family Tree (https://www.familysearch.org)
   Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, \"FamilySearch Family Tree,\" database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : 12 Aug 2019), entry for Robert Fitzhenry DeLatham, person ID L1DH-H29;
   
8. Title: Simon de Grubhead, who has been named in the account of Lathom, gave these places to his brother Gilbert
   Author: 'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 23 May 2022].
   Publication: Name: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276;
   Note: The first recorded member of the Scarisbrick family is Gilbert De Scarisbrick (d. 1238). He was granted land in Scarisbrick from his brother, Simon De Grubhead. They were descendants of the powerful Lathom family.
   
9. Title: Lathom family pedigree in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Volume 4, pg. 199 [See document in the memories section]
   Author: The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Volume 4, pg. 199
   Note: Lathom family pedigree in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Volume 4, pg. 199 [See document in the memories section]
   Page: Lathom family pedigree in The History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Volume 4, pg. 199 [See document in the memories section]
   
10. Title: The township of Lathom in the History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 248-249 [See document in the memories section]
    Author: History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 248-249
    Note: The township of Lathom in the History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 248-249 [See document in the memories section]
    Page: The township of Lathom in the History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol. 4, pg. 248-249 [See document in the memories section]
    
11. Title: Partial Lathom Pedigree in Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire, pg. between 68-69 [See document in the memories section]
    Author: Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire, pg. between 68-69
    Note: Partial Lathom Pedigree in Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire, pg. between 68-69 [See document in the memories section]
    Page: Partial Lathom Pedigree in Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire, pg. between 68-69 [See document in the memories section]
    
12. Title: FamilySearch Family Tree (https://www.familysearch.org)
    Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, \"FamilySearch Family Tree,\" database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : 12 Aug 2019), entry for Robert Lathom, person ID L1DH-H29;