Background
Born at Tonbridge, Gilbert de Clare was a son of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare and Alice de Claremont.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Gilbert Clare
Edit Profile
Career
He was nicknamed Strongbow. In 1136 Gilbert fitz Gilbert led an expedition against Exmes and burned parts of the town, including the church of Notre Dame, but was interrupted by the forces of William III, Count of Ponthieu and escaped the resulting melee only after suffering heavy losses. He held the lordship of Nether Gwent and the castle of Striguil (later Chepstow).
King Stephen created him Earl of Pembroke, and gave him the rape and castle of Pevensey.
After Stephen"s defeat at Lincoln on 2 February 1141, Gilbert was among those who rallied to Empress Matilda when she recovered London in June, but he was at Canterbury when Stephen was recrowned late in 1141. He then joined Geoffrey"s plot against Stephen, but when that conspiracy collapsed, he again adhered to Stephen, being with him at the siege of Oxford late in 1142.
However, the Earl appears to have made his peace with Stephen before his death the following year. Isabel had previously been the mistress of King Henry I of England.
By her Gilbert had:
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Basilia, who married (1) Raymond Fitzgerald and (2) Geoffrey FitzRobert. a daughter who married William Bloet.
