Weis' "Ancestral Roots. . ." (89:27), (170;25). According to Cockayne's "Complete Peerage", no explanation is known for his nickname "Furfan" of "Furson". He was very young when his father died and was in ward to King Henry II in 1185, when his lands were in the custody of Ranulf de Glanville. In Normandy he was bailiff of the royal castellany of Bonneville sur Toques. He was in Normandy during the years 1202 and 1203. He was serving with King John in Ireland in 1210. He was sheriff of Cumberland in 1213-15.
Although he had always been closely associated with King John, he was one of his most vigorous opponents in the matter of the MAGNA CARTA of 1215 and was one of the surety barons. In Nov 1217 he had returned to his allegiance, and was one of the escort of Alexander II to England; in 1218 and later, the Cumberland estates were confirmed to him. In 1221 he was one of the barons called upon for help in the siege of Skipsea castle,
which was a stronghold of his own overlord, the rebellious Count of Aumale.
Near the end of his career, Robert fortified both Helmsley and Wark. Helmsley, he left to his elder son William; and Wark, he left to his younger son Robert. His sons succeeded to his lands on 23 Dec 1226. We are not certain whether Robert died then or, rather, devoted himself thenceforth to religious pursuits as a member of the order of Knights Templar.