William Fitz Alan

William fitz Alan was an English noble of Breton ancestry. He lived during the civil war known as “The Anarchy” in which he sided with Empress Matilda (c. 1102-116) against King Stephen (r. 1135-1154)

In 1137 William was appointed sheriff of Shropshire, and in the next year was one of the magnates who renounced their loyalty to King Stephen, concurrently with Robert, earl of Gloucester, the leader of what then became the Angevin faction in the civil war. William’s Shrewsbury Castle was held against King Stephen in August 1138, but it fell after a short siege. William was able to escape with his wife and children, while the garrison defending the castle were hanged.

In 1139, William joined Empress Matilda and remained supporter of her and of her son Henry, who became King Henry II (r. 1154-1189). With Henry II’s ascension, William had reaped rewards for his continuous support of his cause. In 1155 he was given back his lands and castles at Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, and Oswestry that were lost to him during the civil war. He was accounted as sheriff of Shropshire from July 1155 until his death, which occurred about Easter 1160.