Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke

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Isabel de Clare, Countess of Pembroke and Striguil, suo jure (1172-1240) was a Cambro-Norman-Irish noblewoman and one of the greatest heiresses in Wales and Ireland. She was the wife of William Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1146-14 May1219)

Family

Isabel was born in 1172, the eldest child of Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke (1130- 20 April1176, known in history as Strongbow and Aoife of Leinster, the daughter of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster and More O'Toole. Her paternal grandparents were Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabella de Meulan. She was described as a pleasant,extremely attractive, and was one of the wealthiest heiresses in the kingdom, owning besides the titles of Pembroke and Striguil,suo jure, but lands in Wales and Ireland. She was also heiress to the numerous castles on the inlet of Milford Haven, guarding the South Channel, including Pembroke Castle.[1] She had a younger brother Gilbert de Striguil, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, but he had died as a minor. She also had a half-sister Basile de Clare, who married three times. Her husbands were: Robert de Quincy; Raymond FitzGerald, Constable of Leinster; Geoffrey FitzRobert, Baron of Kells.

Marriage

King Richard I arranged her marriage in London in August 1189 to William Marshall, the greatest knight and soldier in the realm. He would serve four Kings of England in his lifetime, Henry II, Richard I, John of England, Henry III. Through his marriage to Isabel, Marshall became the 1st Earl of Pembroke and assumed overlordship of Pembroke Castle as well as Isabel's other castles such as the keep of Haverford, Tenby, Castle Martin, Lewhaden, Narberth, Stackpole.[2]The marriage was happy, despite the vast difference in age between them. William Marshall and Isabel produced five sons and five daughters.

List of children

  1. William Marshal,2nd Earl of Pembroke (1190- 6 April1231). Married firstly, Alice de Betun, and secondly,Eleanor Plantagenet, daughter of King John. Died childless.
  2. Richard Marshal, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (1191-1 April1234). Married Gervase le Dinant. Died childless.
  3. Maud Marshal (1192-27 March1248). Married firstly, Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk; secondly, William de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey; thirdly, Walter de Dunstanville. Had issue.
  4. Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke (1194-27 June1241). Married firstly, Margaret of Scotland; and secondly, Maud de Lanvaley. Died childless.
  5. Walter Marshal, 5th Earl of Pembroke (1196- November 1245. Married Margaret de Quincy. Died childless.
  6. Anselm Marshal, 6th Earl of Pembroke (1198-22 December1245. Married Maud de Bohun. Died childless.
  7. Isabel Marshal (9 October1200- 17 January1240. Married firstly, Gilbert de Clare, 5th Earl of Hertford; and secondly, Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall. Had issue.
  8. Sibyl Marshal (1201- before 1238). Married William de Ferrers, 5th Earl of Derby. Had issue.
  9. Eva Marshal (1203-1246. Married William de Braose, Lord of Abergavenny. Had issue.
  10. Joan Marshal (1204-1234). Married Warin de Munchensi, Lord of Swanscombe. Had issue.

Legacy

Isabel died in 1240 at the age of age of 68. Her sons all died without producing children.

References

  1. Thomas B. Costain "The Conquering Family", Doubleday & Company, Inc., New York, 1949, 1962
  2. The Peerage.com
  1. ^ Thomas B. Costain "The Conquering Family",page 267
  2. ^ Costain,page 267
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