See also

Richard (1094-1136)

1. Richard Fitzgilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford, son of Sir Gilbert Fitz Richard , Earl of Clare, Tonbridge and Cardigan (1065-1115) and Adelize (Alice) de Claremont ( - ), was born in 1094. He was a Founder of Tonbridge Priory. He died on 15 April 1136.

 

Richard FitzGilbert de Clare. 1st Earl of Hertford (1094–15 April 1136) was the son of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare and Alice (Adeliza) de Claremont. He founded the priory of Tonbridge.

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. 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 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 the Abbey of Lanthony, Abergavenny.

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.

 

Richard Fitzgilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford had the following children:

 

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Gilbert Fitzgilbert de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford (1115-1153)

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Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford (1116-1173)

Second Generation

2. Gilbert Fitzgilbert de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford, son of Richard Fitzgilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford, was born in 1115. He died in 1153.

 

3. Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford, son of Richard Fitzgilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford, was born in 1116 in Tonbridge, Kent. He died in 1173 in Oxfordshire. He married Maud de St. Hilary.

 

Son of Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare and Alice de Gernon. Succeeded to the earldom when his brother Gilbert died without issue. In 1164 he assisted with the Constitutions of Clarendon. From his munificence to the Church and his numerous acts of piety, was called the "Good Earl of Hertford". He married (ca. 1150), Maud de St. Hilary (1132-24 Dec 1193), daughter of James de St. Hilary and Aveline. Fathered seven children.

 

Maud de St. Hilary, daughter of James de St. Hilary ( - ) and Aveline ( - ), was born circa 1133. She died on 24 December 1193. She and Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford had the following children:

 

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Richard de Clare, 4th Earl of Hertford (1162-1218)

Third Generation

4. Richard de Clare, 4th Earl of Hertford, son of Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford and Maud de St. Hilary, was born in 1162. He was an Owner of Tonbridge Castle. He married Amice FITZROBERT circa 1172. He died on 30 December 1218.

 

Richard de Clare, 4th Earl of Hertford (1162 – December 30, 1218) was the son of Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford and Maud de St. Hilary. More commonly known as the Earl of Clare, he had the moiety of the Giffard estates from his ancestor Rohese. He was present at the coronation of King Richard I at Westminster, 3 Sep 1189, and King John on 27 May 1199. He was also present at the homeage of King William of Scotland at Lincoln.
He married (ca. 1172) Amice Fitz William, Countess of Gloucester (ca. 1160-1220), second daughter of William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester, and Hawise de Beaumont. He sided with the Barons against King John, even though he had previously sworn peace with the King at Northampton, and his castle of Tonbridge was taken. He played a leading part in the negotiations for Magna Carta, being one of the twenty five Barons appointed as guardians. On 9 Nov 1215, he was one of the commissioners on the part of the Barons to negotiate the peace with the King. In 1215, his lands in counties Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were granted to Robert de Betun. He and his son were among the Barons excommunicated by the Pope in 1215. Sometime before 1198 Earl Richard and his wife Amice were ordered to separate by the Pope on grounds of consanguinity. They separated for a time because of this order but apparently they reconciled their marriage with the Pope later on. His own arms were: Or, three chevronels gules.

 

Amice FITZROBERT, daughter of William FitzRobert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester (1116-1183) and Hawise de Beaumont of Leicester ( - ), was born circa 1160. She died in 1220. She and Richard de Clare, 4th Earl of Hertford had the following children:

 

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Gilbert de Clare, 5th Earl of Hertford (1180-1230). Gilbert was born in 1180. He died on 25 October 1230.