Richard de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford

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Sir Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare
Lord of Clare
Norman Crest
Born 1094
Hertford, Hertfordshire
Died 15 April 1136
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Office 1st Earl of Hertford
1096-1136
Preceded by New Creation
Succeeded by Gilbert de Clare

Contents

[edit] Lineage

Richard FitzGilbert de Clare. 1st Earl of Hertford (1094–15 April 1136) was the son of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare and Alice de Claremont also known as Adeliza de Claremont.

He founded the priory of Tonbridge.

[edit] Welsh Revolt

Richard held the Lordship of Ceredigion in Wales. A Welsh revolt against Norman rule had begun in south Wales, where on 1 January 1136 the Welsh won a victory over the local Norman forces between Loughor and Swansea.

[edit] Ambush & Death in Gwent

Richard had been away from his lordship in the early part of the year. Returning to the borders of Wales in April, he ignored warnings of the danger and pressed on towards Ceredigion with only a small force. He had not gone far when he was ambushed and killed by the men of Gwent under Iorwerth ab Owain and his brother Morgan, grandsons of Caradog ap Gruffydd, in a woody tract called "the ill-way of Coed Grano", near Llanthony Abbey, north of Abergavenny.

[edit] Spur for Welsh Invasion

The news of Richard's death induced Owain Gwynedd, son of Gruffydd ap Cynan, king of Gwynedd to invade his Lordship. In alliance with Gruffydd ap Rhys of Deheubarth he won a crushing victory over the Normans at the Battle of Crug Mawr, just outside Cardigan. The town of Cardigan was taken and burnt, and Richard's widow, Adelize, took refuge in Cardigan Castle, which was successfully defended by Robert fitz Martin. She was rescued by Miles of Gloucester who led an expedition to bring her to safety in England.


Name Birth Death Notes
By Alice (Adeliza/Adelize de Gernon/de Briquessar?), married 1116, (c. 1102-1128), daughter of Ranulph le Meschin, 1st Earl of Chester.
Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare 1115 1153 2nd Earl of Hertford.
Alice de Clare (Adelize de Tonbridge) 1117 Unknown m. (1) Sir William de Percy, Lord of Topcliffe, about 1133, son of Alan de Percy and Emma de Gant; (2) Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd, brother of Owain Gwynedd.
Robert Fitz Richard de Clare 1119 Unknown Perhaps died in childhood.
Rohese de Clare 1120 Unknown  
Roger de Clare 1122 1173 3rd Earl of Hertford.