The title "Earls of Gloucester" has been held by various noble families in England since the 12th century. The first Earl, Robert FitzRoy, was granted the title by King Henry I in 1121. The earldom has been associated with significant historical events and figures, including the Plantagenets and the Wars of the Roses. The title has been created multiple times, with the most recent creation in 1928 for William FitzRoy, a descendant of the original earls. The earldom has often been linked to the governance of the County of Gloucester and has played a role in the political landscape of England throughout its history.