Robert de Lathom, 4th Earl of Lathom

Robert Fitz-Henry de Lathom, 4th Earl of Lathom. B: 18 Aug 1123, Lathom House, Lathom, Lancashire, England. M: 23 May 1143, Chapelry of Lathom Cemetery, Lathom, Lancashire, England. D: 1198, Lathom House, Lathom, Lancashire, England. Interred: 2 Dec 1185, Chapelry of Lathom Cemetery, Lathom, Lancashire, England.

Note: Robert is presumed to have married a daughter of Orm Magnus & Orm's wife, Emma de Grelle*. The 'Testa de Neville' states that Albert de Grelle, Baron of Manchester, gave to Orm in marriage with his daughter Emma, abt. 1170. With this Marriage came the following: One Knight's fee in Dalton, Parbold & Wrightington and one Carucate of land in Estone.

The Priory of Burscough was founded for the order of Black Canons, in the reign of Richard I., its founder being Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom.

The name of his wife does not appear, but it is evident from the records that she was the daughter and heiress of Orme Fitz-Ailward, who had received Ormatone in marriage with Emma, daughter of Albert de Gredle, the Elder. Orme had inherited Ormskirk from Ormus Magnus, whose wife was Alix, sister of Herveus Walter, the ancestor of the Botelers (today Butler).

Robert was born on 18 August 1123 at Castle of Lathom, Lancaster, England. There is a "Legend" that the mother of Robert was actually Martha Jane Hargrove.

One version of the story is that he was fairly unfaithful to his wife Lady Alice. He was a mean and abusive husband. He had a long term affair with Martha Jane Hargrove and he had divorced Lady Alice to marry her. On the very day of his 2nd wedding, he was riding horseback with the wedding party. He was galloping after Martha when he failed to duck under a tree limb. He was knocked from his horse and broke his neck.

Lady Alice with the help of her friends and relatives was able to get the marriage annulled because it was never "legally" consummated. Lady Alice was named regent for her son Robert. It is said of Martha Hargrove that she bore Lord Henry a bastard daughter 8 months after his death.

Legend has it that the Lord of Lathom had no son born in wedlock but cunningly contrived to walk his lady through the Park one day to a grove of tall trees where the tiny infant of his begetting was waiting. Upon instruction, the baby's mother had dumped him there. The Lady ran to pick the baby up and took him home as companion for their own daughter. Soon the boy, Oskatel,( now, Robert) had won his father's affections such that he was about to alienate all the Lathom's lands from the rightful heiress who had become betrothed to a member of the Stanley family. The Stanleys always chose heiresses for their sons, so they very soon told the Lord of Lathom what he must do. Finally, he was diverted from his purpose and on his death Lathom came, in marriage, to the Stanleys, who adopted the Eagle and Child as a badge, as a constant reminder how easily it may have been lost to them.3

Said to be HRH Prince Charles's 24-Great Grandfather. PM Churchill's 21-Great Grandfather. Lady Diana's 23-Great Grandfather. P.M. Cameron's 24-Great Grandfather. ]

Robert Latham (called Robert fitz Henry) was founder of Burscough priory, which was endowed by him with the churches of Ormskirk and Flixton, cira 1180.

The Priory of Burscough was founded for the order of Black Canons, in the reign of Richard I., its founder being Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom, son of Henry de Torbock and Lathom, supposed to be a descendant from Orm; and Britton, in his Beauties of Lancashire, observes that its noble founder "endowed it with considerable property, emoluments, and alms; and, according to the weak superstition of the age, thought thereby to obtain pardon and rest for the souls of Henry the Second, John, Earl of Moreton, hirnself, his wife, and those of his ancestors; at the same time wishing the kingdom of Heaven to all persons who would increase the gift; and giving to the Devil and his Angels all who should impiously infringe on his bequests."

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From Miscellanea Palatina, 1850:

Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom, so describes himself in his Foundation Charter of Burscough Priory, between 1159 and 1199, endowing it with lands in Burscough, Merton, Lathom, St. Leonard's in Knouseley, and the churches of Ormskirk, Huyton, and Flixton,' for the souls of Henry II, John then Earl of Mortune, himself, his wife, parents, ancestors and successors. The Charter is witnessed by Richard Fitz-Henry, considered to have been his brother, and ancestor of the Torbocks, and by Robert Fitz-Richard and Richard his brother, seemingly the Founder's grandsons. The Inquisition of 13 Job.' names Richard Fitz-Robert as grantee from Albert de Gredle of what is written (seemingly corruptly) iVJla/fshar,^ then vested in his heirs, and also mentions his grant of lands to the Nuns at Chester, who had land in Lathom at the dissolution. His death was in or before 1201. The name of the wife of Robert Fitz-Henry docs not appear, but it is demonstrable from the tenor of Records that she was daughter and heiress, or co-heiress of Okme Fitz-Ailward, who is named in the Inquisition above-mentioned (in the paragraph preceding the notice of Henry Fitz-Siwards grant in Flixton) as having received Estone (afterwards Ormsstone and Urmston) in marriage with Emma daughter of Albert de Grelle the elder, and as having previously and similarly received from him Dalton. Parbold, and Wrightington, which are expressly solicited in the Testa de Nevill to be held by Robert Fitz-Henry 's descendant Robert de Lathom in one passage, and in another by the heir "/ Onue above-mentioned, thus fixing Robert de Lathom as that heir."

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) Robert de Latham, the eldest son of Henry, married, presumably, a daughter of Orme Magnus. The "Testa de Neville" states that Albert de Grelle, Baron of Manchester, gave to Orme, in marriage with his daughter Emma, about 1170, one knight's fee in Dalton, Parbold, and Wrightington, and one carucate of land in Eston. These estates came into 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 Ormskirk and Flixton, cira 1180.