Domesday Descendants says that he is recorded as "nepos episcopi" and is said to have been the grandson of Odo Bishop of Bayeux but comments that "the evidence is slight and ambiguous". Of course “nepos” could be interpreted both as grandson and as nephew. The basis of the argument that the “episcopus” in question should be identified as Bishop Odo is not known. Presumably another bishop could have been Robert’s grandfather/uncle. Stapleton records an undated charter under which “Robert grandson of Bishop Odo” donated tithes to Saint-Fromond. He does not specify whether the document in question specifically names Bishop Odo or whether this name represents his own speculation about the bishop’s identity. Stapleton also records the “Roll of the Exchequer 31 Hen. I. 1130” which states that “Robertus nepos Episcopi” was “an accomptant pro placito bisse in Norhamtescira”. Robert’s identity as grandfather of Guillaume [II] du Hommet is confirmed by the following document: the Fine Roll “6 Joh. 1204” records a request for an inquisition made by “Simon de Eston” to ascertain whether “Simon de Eston, grandfather of him the said Simon” had mortgaged property to “Robert grandson [presumably nepos in the original, so ambiguous] of the Bishop, grandfather of William du Hommet the Constable”.
The name of Robert’s wife is not known. It is suggested that she was related to the Verdun family as shown by the following charter which records that Bertram de Verdun was brought up by [her son] Richard du Hommet: “Bertramus de Verdun” founded Croxden abbey, for the souls of “Normanni de Verdune patris mei et Lucelinæ matris meæ et Richardi de Humez qui me nutrivit”, by undated charter. 1
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