Biography of Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford 1165-1221

Around 1162 [his father] Aubrey de Vere 1st Earl of Oxford (age 47) and [his mother] Agnes Essex Countess of Oxford (age 11) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. The difference in their ages was 36 years.

After 1165 Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford was born to Aubrey de Vere 1st Earl of Oxford (age 50) and Agnes Essex Countess of Oxford (age 14).

On 26 Dec 1194 [his father] Aubrey de Vere 1st Earl of Oxford (age 79) died. His son [his brother] Aubrey (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl of Oxford.

In 1207 Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford (age 41) and Isabel de Bolebec Countess of Oxford (age 33) were married. He the son of Aubrey de Vere 1st Earl of Oxford and Agnes Essex Countess of Oxford (age 56).

Around 1208 [his son] Hugh de Vere 4th Earl of Oxford was born to Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford (age 42) and [his wife] Isabel de Bolebec Countess of Oxford (age 34).

In 1212 [his mother] Agnes Essex Countess of Oxford (age 61) died.

In 1214 [his brother] Aubrey de Vere 2nd Earl of Oxford (age 51) died at Hatfield Regis aka Broad Oak Priory [Map]. His brother Robert (age 48) succeeded 3rd Earl of Oxford. [his wife] Isabel de Bolebec Countess of Oxford (age 40) by marriage Countess of Oxford.

On 25 Oct 1221 Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford (age 56) died at Hatfield Regis aka Broad Oak Priory [Map]. His son [his son] Hugh (age 13) succeeded 4th Earl of Oxford.

Effigy of Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford. ROBERT, son of [his father] Aubrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford, succeeded his brother [his brother] Aubrey in the honours and possessions of his family in 1214. He was one of the principal Barons who took up arms against King John, for which he was excommunicated by Pope Innocent the Third. On the accession of Henry the Third (age 14) he was received into favour, and became a Judge in the King's Courts. He married [his former wife] Isabella (age 48), the sister and inheritrix of Hugh de Bolebec, by whom he had a son and heir, Hugh. He died in the fifth year of the reign of Henry the Third, and was buried in the chancel of the Priory Church of Hatfield Broad Oak, in Essex. At the dissolution, Weever says, his tomb was removed into the parish church, and thus transcribes his epitaph:

Sire Robert de Veere le premier, Count de Oxenford ie tierz, git ci; Dieu de l'alme si luy plest face merci. Qi pur l'ame priera xl jors de pardonn avera. Pater Noster^a.

This figure lies cross-legged, and is represented in the act of drawing his sword. The loose fit of the hauberk about the right-arm and neck is admirably expressed, and the mails are sculptured with great accuracy. The thighs appear to be covered with a gamboised or quilted defence, which reaches to the knees, the caps of which are defended by octangular pieces of plate-armour. The shield is curiously diapered with fleurs-de-lys and roses. The ground of the held in ancient bearings is often enriched with fanciful ornaments which have no relation whatever to the coat itself. De Vere bore, quarterly Or and Gules, in the first quarter a mullet Argent. This monument, from the costume, appears to have been erected about fifty years after the Earls decease.

Details. Diaper work on the shield enlarged. Band on the hood enlarged.

On 03 Feb 1245 [his former wife] Isabel de Bolebec Countess of Oxford (age 71) died.