The Empress’s Champion

Abstract Earl Robert of Gloucester became chief sponsor of the Empress Matilda’s claim to the throne of England in 1138 only after engaging in earlier disloyal political acts. He repudiated his homage to King Stephen mainly because of losing his former curial status and possibly from fear of Stephen’s seizure of his lands. As his sister’s commander-in-chief, the earl enjoyed both political and military authority. His military record is mixed. His great victories were at Lincoln, where Stephen was captured, and Wilton, which contributed to the earl’s establishment of a quasi-dominion in the southwest, where silver pennies were issued in his own name by barons who were members of his affiliate. However, Robert’s career included embarrassing defeats, one of which occurred just before his death. His efforts, nevertheless, made an Angevin succession possible.