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Robert Fitzwalter, the son of Gilbert, Earl of Clare, held Baynards
Castle during the time of Henry 1, where it stayed in his family for
three centuries afterwards.
A love story is told of this family in the reign of King John. Robert,
baron Fitzwalter, lord of Castle Baynard, had a lovely daughter,
Matilda the fair. The "Chronicles of Dunmow" saith that discord arose
between the King and his barons, because of the above mentioned Matilda,
whom the king loved; but her father would not consent, and thereupon war
insued throughout England. "The King spoiled especially the castle of
Baynard, in London, and other holds and houses of the barons. Fitzwalter,
Fitzrobert, and Mountfichet passed over into France; some also went into
Wales, and some into Scotland, and did great damage to the King. Whilst
Maude (Matilda) the fair remained at Dunmow, there came a messenger unto
her from King John, about his suit in love; but because she would not
agree, the messenger poisoned a boiled or poached egg, against she was
hungrie, whereof she died, and was buried in the Choir at Dunmow." The
name of Robert Fitzwalter, the father of this unhappy maid, is placed by
Mathew Paris at the head of the Barons who came around to King John in
the Temple, and made those demands which finally resulted in the signing
of the Magna Carta.