Robert and King Richard I

In 1186 Sir Robert who had inherited Castle Hamlake, also known as Helmsley Castle scontinued rebuilding the structure with stone.

                                                        Helmsley Castle Gateway

The castle had been originally built of wood in 1120. He added two stone round corner towers and a large main gateway. Upon his death his son, William inherited the Castle.

de Ros coat of arms - Gules, three water-bougets argent - legal description

　

This coat of arms is carved upon the shield held by Sir Robert on his tomb effigy at Knights Church.



　

　

In 1196 Sir Robert was in Normandy France in the service of King Richard, The Lionheart. He was at war with Phillip Augustus the King of France. During this time Sir Robert was arrested and ordered to pay 1200 marks of silver over the escape of a valuable prisoner.

King Richard I

 

In what is being called "a pleasant passsage of arms" or better yet a Tournament or joust, in Normandy between knights of King Phillip and those of King Richard, Hugh de Chaumont was taken prisoner and brought before King Richard. Hugh was a wealthy Knight and a dear friend of King Louis VII father of King Phillip. King Richard ordered Hugh de Chaumont into the custody of Sir Robert who turned Hugh over to be kept guarded in Bonneville Castle by whom he thought was a good and faithful retainer, William de Espinay.

King Philip II Augustus

 

The de Espinay family had been supporters and soldiers for the Trussebut family for many generations. Sir Robert received the service of the de Espinays after the death of his mother Rohese Trussebut and her sisters who had inherited from their father.

Bonneville castle was known as Bonneville-sur-Touques and is located in Normandy. It has been a castle since 1063 and was built on a hill and surrounded by a deep moat. The Castle was built to protect the Port of Touques and was used frequently, many years earlier by William the Conquerer as a hunting lodge.

Bonneville-sur-Touques

 

William de Espinay became neglegent or maybe he was tempted by a large bribe, whatever happened, it is believed that with help, one night Hugh de Chaumont escaped from the castle. Sir Robert, as I mentioned before was arrested and paid a steep fine. William de Espinay was also arrested and found guilty of treason agaisnt King Richard, and Sir Robert. He was immediatley hung.

The year before he died Sir Robert de Ros founded a Hospital for the Templar Knights Order of St. Lazarus in Bolton called St Thomas the Martyr. The hospital had room for 13 lepers.
He married a daughter of The Lyon King of Scotland, William.