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Robert Curthose (c. 1050-1134), eldest son of William the Conqueror (1066-1087), was buried in front of the high altar of Gloucester cathedral. The effigy of the knight is of oak, a material that was frequently used for tomb figures in England between 1280 and 1360. Although about 80 examples have survived, most are damaged. The figure of Robert Curthose itself was broken into several pieces during the Civil War in the 17th century, and joined together again toward the end of that century. It was probably then that the tomb chest was made on which the figure of the knight now rests in the chancel of the cathedral.
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