William FitzRobert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester (22 January 1116 – 23 November 1183) was the son and heir of Sir Robert de Caen, 1st Earl of Gloucester, and Mabel FitzRobert of Gloucester, daughter of Robert Fitzhamon, and nephew of Empress Matilda.
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Lineage
William FitzRobert was the son of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, an illegitimate son of King Henry I of England, during whose reign William was born. Thus William was a nephew of the Empress Maud and a first cousin once removed of King Stephen, the principal combatants of the English Anarchy period. It also meant that William was the great-grandson of the famed William the Conqueror.
Early career
In October 1141, William looked after the Baronial estates, when his father fell into the hands of partisans at Winchester. His father was exchanged for King Stephen, and, during his father's absence from Normandy in 1144, he served as Governor of Wareham. In 1147, he overthrew Henry de Tracy at Castle Cary.
In 1154, he made an alliance with Roger de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford, by which they agreed to aid each other against all men except Henry II of England.