[3] By 1205, the barony Honour of Eye was in the hands of the King John's half-brother William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury.
[3] That year, Robert and his squire William Talbot made a pledge of surety for the earl of two casks of wine.
[4] The king's half-brother, the Earl of Longsword's word carried weight; his decision to vouch for Robert implies that they were close.
By 1210, Robert helped the king pay imprests (petty cash) and wages for troops for the campaign in Ireland.
[6] Robert was the king's paymaster and commander of his sergeants in 1213, and was ordered to prepare for an expected French invasion.