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Birth:          ABT 1084 Hertford, Hertfordshire, England
Death:          15 Apr 1136 nr Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales

Notes
b 1084/1090
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Fitz_Gilbert_de_Clare
Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare (died 15 April 1136) 3rd Lord of Clare, was an Anglo-
Norman nobleman. A marcher lord in Wales, he was also the founder of Tonbridge 
Priory in Kent.
Life[edit]

Richard was the eldest son of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare and Adeliza de Claremont.
[1] Upon his father's death, he inherited his lands in England and Wales.

He is commonly said to have been created Earl of Hertford by either Henry I or 
Stephen, but no contemporary reference to him, including the record of his death, 
calls him by any title, while a cartulary states that a tenant had held "de Gilleberto, 
filio Richardi, et de Ricardo, filio ejus, et postea, de Comite Gilleberto, filio Richardi" 
("of Gilbert Fitz Richard, and his son Richard, and then of Earl Gilbert Fitz Richard"), 
again failing to call Richard 'Earl' while giving that title to his son. Thus his supposed 
creation as earl is without merit, although his status and wealth made him a great 
magnate in England.[1] There is an old photo document on the wikipedia page for 
Tonbridge priory which states that the priory was founded by Richard de Clare EARL 
of (B.. illegible) and Hertfordshire.

Directly following the death of Henry I, hostilities increased significantly in Wales and 
a rebellion broke out.[2] Robert was a strong supporter of King Stephen and in the 
first two years of his reign Robert attested a total of twenty-nine of that king's 
charters.[3] He was with King Stephen when he formalized a treaty with King David I 
of Scotland and was a royal steward at Stephen's great Easter court in 1136.[3] He 
was also with Stephen at the siege of Exeter that summer and was in attendance on 
the king on his return from Normandy. At this point, Richard apparently demanded 
more land in Wales, which Stephen was not willing to give him.[3]

In 1136, Richard had been away from his lordship in the early part of the year. He 
returned to the borders of Wales via Hereford in the company of Brian Fitz Count, but 
on their separating, Richard ignored warnings of the danger and pressed on toward 
Ceredigion with only a small force.[4] He had not gone far when, on 15 April, 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.[5] Today the spot is 
marked by the 'garreg dial' (the stone of revenge).[6] He was buried in Tonbridge 
Priory,[7] which he founded.[1]

Aftermath[edit]

The news of Richard's death induced Owain Gwynedd, son of Gruffudd 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, Alice, 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.[1]

Family[edit]

Richard married Alice, sister of Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester,[1] by her 
having:
Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare, d. 1153 (without issue), 1st Earl of Hertford.[8]
Roger de Clare, d. 1173, 2nd Earl of Hertford.[8]
Alice de Clare (Adelize de Tonbridge), m. (1) about 1133, Sir William de Percy, Lord of 
Topcliffe, son of Alan de Percy and Emma de Gant; (2) Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd, brother 
of Owain Gwynedd
Robert Fitz Richard de Clare, perhaps died in childhood
Rohese de Clare, m. Gilbert de Gant, Earl of Lincoln.[9]

Parents
DE CLARE Gilbert Fitz Richard (ABT 1060 - ABT 1115)
DE CLERMONT Adeliza (ABT 1061 - )

Siblings
DE CLARE Adeliza (ABT 1079 - ABT 1163)
DE CLARE Richard Fitz Gilbert (ABT 1084 - 15 Apr 1136)
DE CLARE Baldwin Fitz Gilbert (ABT 1088 - 1171)
DE CLARE Hawise (ABT 1089 - )
DE CLARE Agnes (ABT 1091 - )
DE CLARE Rohese (ABT 1095 - BEF 1166)
DE CLARE Gilbert (21 Sep 1100 - 6 Jan 1148)

Marriage To LE MESCHIN Alice (Adeliza) (ABT 1094 - AFT 1142)
    m. ABT 1114 

Notes

Parents
LE MESCHIN Ranulph "De Briquessart" (ABT 1070 - Jan 1129)
OF MERCIA Lucy (Lucia) (ABT 1071 - 1141)

Children by LE MESCHIN Alice (Adeliza) ABT 1094 - AFT 1142
DE TUNBRIDGE (CLARE) Alice (Adeliza) (1115 - 1148)
DE CLARE Roger (1116 - 1173)
DE CLARE Rohese (1120 - )

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