Robert de Beaumont - 3rd Earl of Leicester

Robert Blanchemains (White Hands)

Robert de Beaumont was an Anglo-Norman Nobleman who supported Henry the Young King in the Great Revolt of 1173-1174 against King Henry II.

Robert was born in 1121 in Leicester, England. He was the eldest son of Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and Amice de Gael.

In the mid-to-late 1150s, Robert married Petronilla de Grandmesnil, heiress to lands in England from Hugh de Grandmesnil. Together, they had five children: Robert, Roger, William, Amice, and Margaret.

In 1168, Robert's father died, and he became the 3rd Earl of Leicester, inheriting extensive lands in Leicestershire, England, and in Normandy. This made him one of England's leading barons. He also held the office of Lord High Steward.

In April of 1173, Robert went to his castle at Breteuil in Normandy, when Henry the Young King rebelled against King Henry II. Robert supported Henry the Young, and they aimed to take control of the duchy, but Henry II besieged Breteuil in September, captured the castle, and burned it after Robert fled.

After Henry the Young failed to overthrow his father in Normandy, Robert raised an army of Flemish mercenaries and returned to England. He landed at Walton in Suffolk and joined forces with Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk, on September 29, 1173. Robert then departed for Leicester to defend his land there. Robert and the mercenaries were intercepted while crossing the River Lark and defeated at the Battle of Fornham on October 17th. Robert and his wife were captured.

Robert's lands in Leicester were confiscated, and his castles of Leicester and Groby were slighted. The crown took his castles of Mountsorrel in Leicester and Pacy-sur-Eure in Normandy.

Robert remained a prisoner until January of 1177, longer than most rebels. He and his wife were initially sent to Normandy, where they were imprisoned at the Château de Falaise until July 1174, when Henry II returned to England and brought them with him. In August, he was sent back to Normandy and held at Caen, before being sent back to Falaise.

When Richard I ascended to the throne in 1189, Robert was fully restored to royal favor and carried one of the swords of state at Richard's coronation.

In 1190, Robert de Beaumont joined the Third Crusade to Palestine. He died on the return journey at Dyrrachium, in modern-day Albania. His son, also named Robert, succeeded him as the 4th Earl of Leicester.