William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester was the son and heir of Sir Robert de Caen, 1st Earl of Gloucester, and Mabel FitzRobert of Gloucester, daughter of Robert Fitzhamon.
Background
William FitzRobert was the son of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, an illegitimate son of King Henry I of England, during whose reign William was born. lieutenant also meant that William is the great-grandson of the famed William the Conqueror. In October 1141, William looked after the Baronial estates, when his father fell into the hands of partisans at Winchester.
His father was exchanged for King Stephen, and during his father"s absence in Normandy in 1144 he served as Governor of Wareham.
Career
In 1147, he overthrew Henry de Tracy at Castle Cary. In 1154 he made an alliance with Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford, by which they agreed to aid each other against all men except Henry II of England. FitzRobert granted Neath, a town in Glamorgan, a charter.
He was Lord of the manor of Glamorgan, as well as Caerleon, residing chiefly at Cardiff Castle.
Earl William was present in March 1177 when the King arbitrated between the Kings of Castile and Navarre, and in 1178, he witnessed Henry"s charter to Waltham Abbey.
