Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Tiptoft, Robert de

741481Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 56 — Tiptoft, Robert de1898Walter Eustace Rhodes

TIPTOFT, ROBERT de, sometimes styled Baron Tibetot or Tiptoft (d. 1298), succeeded to the lands of his father Henry in 34 Henry III (1249–50). In 50 Henry III (1265–6) he was made governor of Porchester Castle. He accompanied Edward I to the Holy Land, and in the third year of his reign was made governor of Nottingham Castle, and in the ninth (1280–1) justice of South Wales and governor of Cardigan and Carmarthen castles. He held the justiceship until his death, his tenure being thrice renewed. He sat in the parliaments of 1276 and 1290, but there is no record of the writs of summons (cf. G. E. C[okayne], Complete Peerage, vii. 401).

Tiptoft took a leading part in the suppression of the revolt of Rhys ab Mereduc in 1287–8. Rhys's pretext was the compulsory introduction of ‘English customs’ by Tiptoft. Tiptoft took Rhys's chief castle, captured him, and sent him to York, where he was hanged and drawn. In 1294 Tiptoft was appointed one of John of Brittany's counsellors and lieutenants in the expedition sent to recover Gascony. John of Brittany sent him to negotiate an alliance with Sancho IV of Castile, and he was also left in command of Rions on the retreat of the English army before Charles of Artois, but had to surrender on 7 April 1295. He took part in Edward I's Scottish expedition of 1297, and died at his manor of Nettlestead on 22 May 1298.

By his wife Eva he had a son Pain (1279?–1314), who is commonly reckoned first baron Tibetot or Tiptoft. His son John (1313–1367), second baron, was grandfather of John Tiptoft (1375–1443) [q. v.]

[Dugdale's Baronage of England ii. 38; Rishanger, pp. 143, 149, 256; Hemingburgh, ii. 17; Wykes, iv. 310–11; Opus Chronicorum (with Trokelowe), p. 43; Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1281–92 p. 283, 1292–1301 p. 350; Calendarium Genealogicum, pp. 494, 556–7.]

W. E. R.

Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.265
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line

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414 ii 2 Tiptoft, Robert de: for Robert read John