Tallen Cyenns, The Tale Of Robert Fitztephen

It is found written in the Scrolls of Taloned Claws of where Tallen was remembering some tells told to him by his longtime friend John FitzStephen about one of John's ancestors, a man by the name of Robert FitzStephen.

Some here may recall that Robert was active in war in Wales and later the conquest of Ireland. He was rewarded in 1177 by receiving from the King of England, jointly with Miles de Cogan, a grant of the kingdom of Cork with the exception of the city of Cork. The native princes of that province disputed the King's right to dispose of the territory on the grounds that they had not resisted King Henry, or committed any act that would have justified the forfeiture of their lands. In consequence, Robert had difficulty in maintaining his position and was nearly overwhelmed by a rising in the Kingdom of Desmond in 1182. Having no living male heirs, Robert eventually ceded these territories to Philip de Barry, his half-nephew around 1180. In a decree Robert wrote, "Robert FitzStephen to all his lords, friends, and dependents, French, English, Welsh, and Irish, Greeting. Be it known to you that I have given and granted to my nephew, Philip de Barry, three cantreds in my land of Cork, namely, Olethan, with all its appurtenances, and two other cantreds in the kingdom of Cork, just as they shall come by lot to him, for ten knights' service, to himself and his heirs, to be held of me and my heirs, for the service aforesaid, in land, in sea, in waters, in ways, to be held as freely of me as I hold of our lord the King, save to me the service of the aforesaid ten knights."

This time, however, John was telling Tallen about Robert's earlier life and how he became who he was. It was in April of 1164 in Ceredigion, Wales and as a man, named Einion ab Anarawd was kneeling and praying in a church, when he heard a door open behind him. He knew immediately that his life was in danger! The footsteps of the would-be assasin got closer then there was a struggle. All of the sudden there was a voice that whispered, "Hello cousin, I told you that we would meet once again. You did't think I would forget did you?" The man speaking was Sir Robert FitzStephen, the Constable of Aberteifi Castle.

As Robert held a knife to the throat of his cousin Einion, the two men exchanged more angry words and then Robert started cutting until Einion's head had been severed. Robert then picked up the head and flung it to someone else and said, "Take this to my cousin Prince Rhys and tell him who sent it. He will know where to find me." This murder by Robert is thought to what lead to further bloodshed in battle with warriors of his cousin Prince Rhys and Rhys himself. Robert was eventually defeated and captured where he remained a prisoner for about three years.

A captured knight, in England or France, was normally afforded the right of ransom. A nobleman or one with rich friends may pay cash for a release. Sir Maurice FitzGearld, Robert's half-brother, had made a very generous offer but there was yet to come a ransom from either the Earl of Hertford or King Henry of England himself. While Robert was a prisoner of Rhys ap Gruffydd, his own cousin, at first he was not treated like others that were captured at the time. He was allowed to have some free roam within the castle of Rhys and enjoyed the drinking of alcohol, accompanied by women and the games of chance as well as going on some hunts in the land. Rhys had even offered Robert complete freedom to include wealth, land, and redemption for Einion's murder only if Robert would forsake his father's people. Robert had no intention of having safety in return for allegiance to Rhys. Once, while out on a hunt Robert found a chance to escape but this attempt was thwarted and he was recaptured. This time however Rhys ordered his men to place Robert in prison cell.

During this time the King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada, was ready to reclaim his rights as the High King of Ireland. He had heard about Robert's abilities as a warrior and met with his brothers who then went to Rhys to make a deal for Robert's release. It was after Robert had rendered good service to Diarmaitin that he was rewarded jointly with Miles de Cogan, a grant of the kingdom of Cork.