Robert De Vere (Earl of Oxford) Framed Print - Black Frame

Robert de Vere, son of Aubrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford, succeeded 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, he was received into favour, and became a Judge in the King’s Courts. He married Isabella, 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.

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 field 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 Earl’s decease.