Sir Robert Cruwys Knight

  Noted events in his life were:

• Web Reference: Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard. ^{1452,1453,1456,1457}
Sir Robert de Cruwys is the presumed son of Alexander de Cruwys based him being the next holder of the Cruwys Morchard and Anstey Cruwys. He would have been born after 1221 as he was under age in 1242 when the heirs of Alexander de Cruwys were holding Morceth' (Morchard Cruwys) and Anstey (East Anstey). He is presumably the same man as Robert de Crues of Devon who received a respite from knighthood for three years on 11 July 1256 which would further place his birth as before 1235. [Patent Rolls of the Reign of Henry III , vol. 4, p. 487]

Robert Cruwys presented at Cruwys Morchard on 13 February 1262 and at Anstey Cruwys on Christmas 1263. In both cases he is called a knight. By the time of the Feudal Aids in 1285 he had acquired a third manor. Robert held Cruwys Morchard of the earl of Cornwall who held it of the king [Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), p. 342] and East Anstey of Oliver de Dinham who at that time held a portion of the Cardinan barony. [Ibid., p. 325] The third manor of Over Woolacombe he held of Galfried de Camville who held it of Thomas de Merton who held it of the king. [Ibid., p. 336] This acquisition of Over Woolacombe has been used as evidence that Robert's wife was Matilda (or Maud) Fitz Pain, the daughter of Robert Fitz Payne and Nesta his wife. [Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association, vol. 84 (1952). pp. 1-19 'Address of the President: Records at Cruwys Morchard,' by Mrs. M.C.S. (Margaret Campbell Speke) Cruwys] In 1242, Robert Fitz Payne and Nesta held a fee in Owlacombe, Over Woolacombe and Blymethesham. [Testa de Nevill, pt. 2, p. 775] By 1303 it would appear that Robert de Cruwys had distributed land to his sons. He still held Cruwys Morchard, but Over Woolacombe and Blymethesham were now held by his son and eventual heir Alexander Cruwys, and East Anstey by his younger son John Cruwys. [Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), pp. 359, 362] All three of the Fitz Payn manors of Owlacombe, Over Woolacombe and Blymethesham in 1242 were given as a single fee held by Robert de Cruwys in 1326. [Calendar of the Close Rolls, Edward II, 1323-1327, pp. 595, 601]

Robert married Matilda Fitz Payn, daughter of Robert Fitz Payn and Nesta of Wales.