Robert Marmion

Robert Marmion (died 1144) was an Anglo-Norman baron and soldier who rose to prominence during the wars between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. Origins From a Norman family originating at Fontenay-le-Marmion and born before 1108, he was the son and heir of Roger Marmion or Robert de Marmion, who held lands in Lincolnshire. Career After the death of his father shortly before November 1129, he gave away some of his inherited estates to the nuns of Polesworth Abbey and the monks of Bardney Abbey. He also entered into contention with William Beauchamp over tenure of Tamworth Castle, where before 1135 he received a grant of free warren from King Henry I of England. Sources that call him 1st Baron of Tamworth are misleading, as no such claim is recognised by modern authorities. When civil war broke out in 1139, he rallied to the side of King Stephen and was sent to hold Falaise Castle in Normandy against attack from Matilda's husband, Geoffrey of Anjou. He proved to be "a warlike man with no match for boldness, fierceness or cunning" and his successful defence led Geoffrey to destroy his ancestral castle of Fontenay in reprisal.