Basilia de Clare (fl. 1173–1201) was an Anglo-Norman noblewoman from the

de Clare The House of Clare was a prominent Anglo-Norman noble house that held at various times the earldoms of Pembroke, Hertford and Gloucester in England and Wales, as well as playing a prominent role in the Norman invasion of Ireland. They were de ...

family. She married a supporter of her brother

Richard de Clare Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...

known as "Strongbow".

Life

She was the daughter of

Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke Gilbert fitz Gilbert de Clare (6 January 1148), was created Earl of Pembroke in 1138.He was called 'Strongbow' but his son Richard is much more readily associated with that nickname. Life Born at Tonbridge, Gilbert de Clare was a son of Gilber ...

and Isabel de Beaumont, and she had a brother named

. She must have been born in 1148 or before as her father died and her brother inherited his title early in that year. Her brother was about 18 years old, and Richard inherited the title 'count of Strigoil'

Earl of Pembroke Earl of Pembroke is a title in the Peerage of England that was first created in the 12th century by King Stephen of England. The title, which is associated with Pembroke, Pembrokeshire in West Wales, has been recreated ten times from its origin ...

. It is probable that this title was not recognized at Henry II's coronation in 1154.M. T. Flanagan, 'Clare, Richard fitz Gilbert de, second earl of Pembroke (c.1130–1176)', ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press (2004) In 1173 Raymond fitz William wanted to marry her but her brother refused his permission and Raymond fitz William left to live in Wales, but he returned the following year when her brother summoned him. Her brother gave into popular requests and allowed them to marry and also made Raymond the constable of Leinster. The marriage took place at Wexford after Raymond and his troops had taken the town. In 1176 her brother died and Basilia sent a signal to her husband in Munster to warn him that he should return to Dublin. She and Raymond had no children and after he died she married Geoffrey fitz Robert. She is believed to have died after 1201.

References

Source

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Clare, Basilea de De Clare family 12th-century births 13th-century deaths Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown 12th-century Irish women Anglo-Norman women