Patrick of Salisbury, 1st Earl of Salisbury (c. 1122 – 1168) was an Anglo-Norman nobleman, and the uncle of the famous William Marshal.
His parents were Walter of Salisbury and Sibilla de Chaworth.[1] Before 1141, Patrick was constable of Salisbury, a powerful local official but not a nobleman. That year, Patrick married his sister to John fitzGilbert the Marshal, who had been a local rival of his, and transferred his allegiance from King Stephen to the Empress Matilda. This political move gained him his earldom, and the friendship of John the Marshal, who was to send his younger son William to stay with him. It was in his household where the famous Marshal first learned about knighthood.
The Earl of Salisbury also minted his own coins, struck in the county town of Salisbury during the so called "baronial issues" of 1135-1153. Only four examples have survived, three of which are in the Conte collection.
Patrick married twice,[2] his second wife being Ela, daughter of William III Talvas, Duke of Alençon and Ponthieu, whom he married in 1149. They had a son, William in about 1150[1] and three others, including Walter and Philip.[2]
He was killed at Poitiers, France on March 27, 1168 in an ambush by forces of Guy of Lusignan.[1]
| Peerage of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New Creation |
Earl of Salisbury c. 1145–1168 |
Succeeded by William of Salisbury |