FitzRoger was the son of the
Anglo-Norman nobleman Roger fitzRichard, who held
Warkworth Castle in
Northumberland. FitzRoger was
sheriff of Norfolk from
Michaelmas in 1190 to Easter 1194 and then again from Michaelmas 1197 to Easter 1200. FitzRoger's first appointment as sheriff was due to the influence of
William de Longchamp, who was
Lord Chancellor. Longchamp's influence also secured custody of
Orford Castle in Suffolk for fitzRoger. Longchamp also arranged for fitzRoger to have custody of
Eye Castle in Suffolk. When Longchamp fell from royal favour and was replaced by
Walter of Coutances, fitzRoger was one of the few of Longchamp's appointments to retain his office of sheriff. FitzRoger founded the monastery of
Langley Abbey in Norfolk in 1195 for
Premonstratensian canons. He purchased royal confirmation of his ownership of Warkworth in 1199 and in 1205 was granted
Newburn and the barony of
Whalton in Northumberland. Warkworth and Newburn were occasionally considered baronies, but not consistently. FitzRoger also held
Clavering from Henry of Essex for one
knight's fee. FitzRoger's holdings were extensive enough that he was considered a
baron during the reigns of King
Richard I and King
John of England. He was one of John's favourites and hosted the king at Warkworth in 1213. one of the daughters and heiresses of
William de Chesney, the founder of
Sibton Abbey. Margaret was one of three daughters, but she inherited the bulk of her father's estates. Margaret was the widow of
Hugh de Cressy. Through Margaret, Roger gained the barony of
Blythburgh in Suffolk. He also acquired lands at
Rottingdean in
Sussex from Margaret. FitzRoger died in 1214, and his heir was his son by his wife Margaret,
John fitzRobert. ==Notes==