Robert (Lathom) de Lathom (1123 - abt. 1199)

Born 18 Aug 1123 in Lathom, Lancashire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Unknown (FitzAilward) de Lathom — married 23 May 1143 in England

Descendants

Died about 1199 at about age 75 in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England

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Biography

Lord of Lathom Robert fitz Henry de Lathom

4th Earl of Lathom. Robert married but his wife's name does not appear. She is "presumed" to be a daughter of "Orm Magnus", who is also again "presumably", Orm De Ashton. The "Testa de Neville" states that Albert de Grelle, Baron of Manchester, gave to Orm, in marriage with his daughter Emma, about 1170, one knight's fee in Dalton, Parbold and Wrightington, and one carucate of land in Estone. It is evident from the records that she was the daughter and heiress of Orm Fitz-Ailward, who had received Ormatone in marriage with Emma, daughter of Albert de Grelle, the Elder, Orme had inherited Ormskirk from Ormus Magnus, whose wife was Alix, sister of Herveus Walter, the ancestor of the Botelers.

These estates came into the 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 Ormkirk and Flixton, circa 1180.

Knowsley and its members were held by the Lathom family from before the year 1200, but how they acquired it is unknown. Robert son of Henry gave to his foundation at Burscough 'the place of St. Leonard of Knowsley' with its appurtenances; Lancs. Pipe R. p. 350. A lease of common of pasture in Knowsley (early thirteenth century) is in Harl. 52, i, 44.

Knowsley - alternately spelled Chenulveslei, Dom. Bk., Knuvesle, 1199; Knouselegh, 1258; Knouleslee, 1261; Knusele, 1262; Knouslegh, 1346. Pronounced Nowsley, sometimes Nosely.

Founder of the Burscough Priory (for Augustinians) in Roby, Knowsley, endowing it with lands in Burscough, Merton, Latham, and St. Leonard's in Knowsley, and the churches of Ormskirk, Huyton and Flixton, for the souls of Henry II, John (then Earl of Mortane), himself, his wife, parents, ancestors and successors. The charter is witnessed by his brother Richard, as well as Robert Fitz-Richard and Richard his brother, seemingly his grandsons.

Robert gave a ridding to the nunnery at Chester.

Richard and his father were both witnesses to the foundation charter of Lythom Priory, between 1189 and 1194.

He took part in the rebellion of his chief, John, count of Mortain, in 1194, and later in the year paid an installment of the fine of 20 marks incurred therefore.

He received a grant of Anglezark from Albert Grelley the younger; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, 58. The earliest record of Anglezarke shows that it was a dependency of the fee or barony of Manchester, and that Albert Grelley the younger gave 2 oxgangs of land —apparently the whole of it —to Robert son of Henry de Lathom to hold by annual rent of 3s. (The date of the grant is between 1162-1180.)

Research Notes

Need to see if he married again. Per one website, he seems to have been married twice; his widow was Amabel daughter of Simon, who was suing her stepson for dower in 1199. Knowsley and Anglezark were subsequently assigned to her.

Need to try and nail down his date of death. Per the Latham Connection, he died 2 Dec 1185 of cholera. Per two other books, he died circa 1199.

Sources

• Farrer, William. Final Concords of the County of Lancaster, The Record Society for the Publication of Original Documents Relating to Lancashire and Cheshire (printed for The Record Society. 1899)

Vol. XXXIX Page 8: "Robert de Lathom probably died in the spring of 1199. Richard, his son and heir fined for his relief 10 marks and two palfreys, before Easter, 1201 (Pipe Roll, p. 136). Amabel, widow of Robert de Lathom, who was endowed of Knowsley and Anlafs-argh (now Anglezark), by this concord, was probably a second wife. She is called 'dau. of Simon' in No. 7, postea."

• Abbey, Whalley. 1847. The Coucher Book, Or Chartulary, of Whalley Abbey. Chetham society. p. 551