Robert FitzWalter
1180 – 1235
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Robert FitzWalter was the leader of the barons who forced Magna Carta out of King John, and he styled himself Marshal of the Army of God and Holy Church while doing it. He held Baynard's Castle in London and Little Dunmow in Essex, was one of the twenty-five sureties named in the charter to enforce it against the King, and was later captured on crusade at Damietta. He is a direct ancestor of this family, as is the king he was pledged to police.
Research notes
✓ DOCUMENTED (web-confirmed 25 Jul 2026; Magna Carta Trust / CP): ROBERT FITZWALTER (c.1180-1235), feudal Baron of LITTLE DUNMOW and Baynard's Castle, London - ONE OF THE TWENTY-FIVE SURETY BARONS OF MAGNA CARTA (1215) and, styling himself 'MARSHAL OF THE ARMY OF GOD', the effective LEADER OF THE BARONIAL OPPOSITION to King John. *** So this family descends from BOTH King John (via the Butlers/Plantagenets) AND the surety pledged to hold him to the Charter. Son of Walter FitzRobert by Matilda de Lucy; father of Walter (our line). Direct ancestor - a Magna Carta surety in the direct line. Added 25 Jul 2026.