Medieval Mysteries

Medieval Mysteries is the page where we have information that needs further research.

                    Robert Curthose and Matildis de Clay

Our rather romantic picture is probably nowhere near the truth of the above husband and wife, if indeed they were.

We know who Robert Curthose was, he was the feckless son of William the conqueror.

But who was Matildis de Clay and when did she marry, Robert?

Robert's wife Sybil died in 1106, around the same time that Robert was imprisoned by his brother, Henry I, King of England, firstly in Devizes castle, Wiltshire and later in Cardiff castle, Wales, he died in 1134.  We believe he may have had a 12 mile radius from his place of imprisonment but we could be mistaken on that point.

We find them in a charter  from Reivaulx Abbey, in Yorkshire, we believe it to be dated c1134/5 presumably after Robert has died and shortly before Henrys death.

Cartulariam Abbathiea de Rievalle

Broctona, refers to Broughton, a small hamlet next to Broctona Magna, Great Broughton now in thecounty of Cleeveland.

This theory, alas has not been proven but why spoil a good story.