This memorial is dedicated to Robert Fitzwalter. He was the son of Maud de Lucy and Walter Fitzrobert.He was the leader of the baronial opposition against King John of England, one of the twenty-five suereties of the Magna Carta. He was the third Lord Fitzwalter of Dunmow Castle, Essex; and lord of Baynard's Castle, in London, to which was annexed the hereditary office of castellain and chief banneret of the City of London. Part of the official aristocracy created by Henry I and Henry II, he served John in the Norman wars, and was taken prisoner by King Philip II of France, and forced to pay a heavy ransom. He was implicated in the baronial conspiracy of 1212. According to his own statement the king had attempted to seduce his eldest daughterMatilda he also had a son named Walter; but Robert's account of his grievances varied from time to time. The truth seems to be that he was irritated by the suspicion with which John regarded the new baronage. Fitzwalter escaped a trial by fleeing to France. He was outlawed, but returned under a special amnesty after John's reconciliation with the pope.
Fitzwalter continued, however, to take the lead in the baronial agitation against the king, and upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1215 was elected "marshal of the army of God and Holy Church". It was due to his influence in London that his party obtained the support of the city and used it as their base of operations. The famous clause of the Magna Carta prohibiting sentences of exile, except as the result of a lawful trial, refers more particularly to his case. He was one of the twenty-five appointed to enforce the promises of Magna Carta; and his aggressive attitude was one of the causes which contributed to the civil war later in 1215. His incompetent leadership made it necessary for the rebels to invoke the help of France. He was one of the envoys who invited Louis to England, and was the first of the barons to do homage when the prince entered London. Though slighted by the French as a traitor to his natural lord, he served Louis with fidelity until captured at the battle of Lincoln in May 1217. Released on the conclusion of peace he joined the Fifth Crusade, but returned at an early date to make his peace with the regency. The remainder of his career was uneventful; he died peacefully in 1235. He is remembered as a champion of English liberty, and has also become associated with various legends, including that of Robin Hood.
Fitzwalter continued, however, to take the lead in the baronial agitation against the king, and upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1215 was elected "marshal of the army of God and Holy Church". It was due to his influence in London that his party obtained the support of the city and used it as their base of operations. The famous clause of the Magna Carta prohibiting sentences of exile, except as the result of a lawful trial, refers more particularly to his case. He was one of the twenty-five appointed to enforce the promises of Magna Carta; and his aggressive attitude was one of the causes which contributed to the civil war later in 1215. His incompetent leadership made it necessary for the rebels to invoke the help of France. He was one of the envoys who invited Louis to England, and was the first of the barons to do homage when the prince entered London. Though slighted by the French as a traitor to his natural lord, he served Louis with fidelity until captured at the battle of Lincoln in May 1217. Released on the conclusion of peace he joined the Fifth Crusade, but returned at an early date to make his peace with the regency. The remainder of his career was uneventful; he died peacefully in 1235. He is remembered as a champion of English liberty, and has also become associated with various legends, including that of Robin Hood.
This memorial is dedicated to Robert Fitzwalter. He was the son of Maud de Lucy and Walter Fitzrobert.He was the leader of the baronial opposition against King John of England, one of the twenty-five suereties of the Magna Carta. He was the third Lord Fitzwalter of Dunmow Castle, Essex; and lord of Baynard's Castle, in London, to which was annexed the hereditary office of castellain and chief banneret of the City of London. Part of the official aristocracy created by Henry I and Henry II, he served John in the Norman wars, and was taken prisoner by King Philip II of France, and forced to pay a heavy ransom. He was implicated in the baronial conspiracy of 1212. According to his own statement the king had attempted to seduce his eldest daughterMatilda he also had a son named Walter; but Robert's account of his grievances varied from time to time. The truth seems to be that he was irritated by the suspicion with which John regarded the new baronage. Fitzwalter escaped a trial by fleeing to France. He was outlawed, but returned under a special amnesty after John's reconciliation with the pope.
Fitzwalter continued, however, to take the lead in the baronial agitation against the king, and upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1215 was elected "marshal of the army of God and Holy Church". It was due to his influence in London that his party obtained the support of the city and used it as their base of operations. The famous clause of the Magna Carta prohibiting sentences of exile, except as the result of a lawful trial, refers more particularly to his case. He was one of the twenty-five appointed to enforce the promises of Magna Carta; and his aggressive attitude was one of the causes which contributed to the civil war later in 1215. His incompetent leadership made it necessary for the rebels to invoke the help of France. He was one of the envoys who invited Louis to England, and was the first of the barons to do homage when the prince entered London. Though slighted by the French as a traitor to his natural lord, he served Louis with fidelity until captured at the battle of Lincoln in May 1217. Released on the conclusion of peace he joined the Fifth Crusade, but returned at an early date to make his peace with the regency. The remainder of his career was uneventful; he died peacefully in 1235. He is remembered as a champion of English liberty, and has also become associated with various legends, including that of Robin Hood.
Fitzwalter continued, however, to take the lead in the baronial agitation against the king, and upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1215 was elected "marshal of the army of God and Holy Church". It was due to his influence in London that his party obtained the support of the city and used it as their base of operations. The famous clause of the Magna Carta prohibiting sentences of exile, except as the result of a lawful trial, refers more particularly to his case. He was one of the twenty-five appointed to enforce the promises of Magna Carta; and his aggressive attitude was one of the causes which contributed to the civil war later in 1215. His incompetent leadership made it necessary for the rebels to invoke the help of France. He was one of the envoys who invited Louis to England, and was the first of the barons to do homage when the prince entered London. Though slighted by the French as a traitor to his natural lord, he served Louis with fidelity until captured at the battle of Lincoln in May 1217. Released on the conclusion of peace he joined the Fifth Crusade, but returned at an early date to make his peace with the regency. The remainder of his career was uneventful; he died peacefully in 1235. He is remembered as a champion of English liberty, and has also become associated with various legends, including that of Robin Hood.
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