See also

Sir Gilbert (1065-1115)

1. Sir Gilbert Fitz Richard , Earl of Clare, Tonbridge and Cardigan, son of Richard Fitz Gilbert, Earl of Clare, Lord of Beinfaite, Orbec and Tonbridge (1035-1090) and Rohese Giffard (c. 1034-1133), was born in 1065. He married Adelize (Alice) de Claremont in 1086. He died in 1115.

 

Gilbert Fitz Richard (1065-1115) was son of Richard Fitz Gilbert and Rohese Giffard. He succeeded to his father's possessions in England, his brother, Roger Fitz Richard, succeeding to his father's lands in Normandy.

He was granted lands and the Lordship of Cardigan by Henry I, including Cardigan Castle. He founded the Priory at Clare. Supposedly present at the suspicious death of William II in 1100. Fathered nine children, two of whom became peers of the realm.

 

Adelize (Alice) de Claremont was the daughter of Hugh de Creil, Count of Clermont ( - ) and Margaret de Roucy ( - ). She and Gilbert Fitz Richard , Earl of Clare, Tonbridge and Cardigan had the following children:

 

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Richard Fitzgilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford (1094-1136)

Second Generation

2. Richard Fitzgilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford, son of Sir Gilbert Fitz Richard , Earl of Clare, Tonbridge and Cardigan 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)

Third Generation

3. 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.

 

4. 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). Richard was born in 1162. He was an Owner of Tonbridge Castle. He married Amice FITZROBERT circa 1172. He died on 30 December 1218.