Walter de Clifford

Walter I de Clifford (1113–1190)[1] was an Anglo-Norman marcher lord of Bronllys Castle[2] on the Welsh border, and Clifford Castle (from the 1130s[3]), in Herefordshire.

Life

According to Eyton, he succeeded to the estates of his uncles Walter and Drogo. These two brothers figure in Domesday as the possessors of lands in Herefordshire, Berkshire, and other counties. His father Richard seems to have died between 1115 and 1138, in which latter year we find 'Walter de Cliffort' signing a Gloucester charter. He reappears under the same name in 1155. He probably obtained the barony of Clifford, from his wife Margaret, asserted to be the daughter of Raoul II of Tosny, who in 1068 was lord of this fee. According to another theory, his mother Maud, wife of Richard FitzPonce, was the original holder of it. Towards the middle of Henry II's reign, he was possessed of the manors of Corfham, Culmington, &c. in Shropshire. He was a benefactor to several monasteries, e.g. Haughmond Abbey, Dore, and Godstow.[4]

Clifford's name occurs in the Welsh annals as lord of the castle of Llandovery. He ravaged the lands of Rhys ap Gruffydd, who, finding his complaints to Henry II disregarded, surprised his castle (1157-9).

In 1163, he is said to have slain Einion ab Anarawd, son of Anarawd ap Gruffydd. In 1164, he is said to have slain Cadwgan, son of Maredudd. He was still living in 1187, and according to Eyton died in 1190. [4]

Family

He was the son of Richard FitzPons and Matilda, who the sister of Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford.[4]

He is now best known for his daughter, Rosamund Clifford, with Margaret de Toeni, daughter of Ralph de Toeni.[5]

Walter and Margaret's children were:[6]

The main part of the Clifford estates passed to Matilda, a great-granddaughter, wife of Sir William Longespée (grandson of William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury), whose daughter, Margery Longespée, brought them to her husband, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. Walter de Clifford's grandson Roger (died 1231) was father of Roger (died 1285?). [4]

Notes

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Bronllys Castle
  3. ↑ ; up to that point he was known as Walter Fitz Richard.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Archer 1887.
  5. ↑ My Lines - Person Page 106
  6. ↑ clifford01
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Archer, Thomas Andrew (1887). "Clifford, Walter de". In Stephen, Leslie. Dictionary of National Biography 11. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 81–82.

References