Gilbert FitzRichard de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford (–1152),

feudal baron A feudal baron is a vassal holding a heritable fief called a ''barony'', comprising a specific portion of land, granted by an overlord in return for allegiance and service. Following the end of European feudalism, feudal baronies have largely been ...

Clare Clare may refer to: Places Antarctica * Clare Range, a mountain range in Victoria Land Australia * Clare, South Australia, a town in the Clare Valley * Clare Valley, South Australia Canada * Clare (electoral district), an electoral district * Cl ...

in Suffolk, was created Earl of Hertford by King Stephen.

Career

Gilbert was the eldest son of

Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare (died 15 April 1136) 3rd feudal baron of Clare in Suffolk, was an Anglo-Norman nobleman. A marcher lord in Wales, he was also the founder of Tonbridge Priory in Kent. Life Richard was the eldest son of Gilbert Fitz ...

and Adeliza.George Edward Cokayne, ''The Complete Peerage; or, a History of the House of Lords and all its Members from the Earliest Times'', eds. H. A. Doubleday; Howard de Walden, Vol. VI (London: The St. Catherine Press, Ltd., 1926), pp. 498–499 His mother Adeliza was the daughter of

Ranulf le Meschin, 3rd Earl of Chester Ranulf le Meschin, 3rd Earl of Chester (1070−1129) was a Norman magnate based in northern and central England. Originating in Bessin in Normandy, Ranulf made his career in England thanks to his kinship with Hugh d'Avranches - the Earl of Che ...

and Countess Lucy as well as the sister of Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester. Gilbert, who was born before 1115, succeeded his father to the honor of Clare including

Tonbridge Castle Tonbridge Castle is a 13th century castle situated in Tonbridge, Kent, England. Early history Following the Norman Conquest, Richard Fitz Gilbert was granted land in Kent to guard the crossing of the River Medway. He erected a simple Motte-and- ...

on 15 Apr. 1136. Gilbert was created Earl of Hertford about 1138, possibly about the same time his uncle was created Earl of Pembroke.George Edward Cokayne, ''The Complete Peerage; or, a History of the House of Lords and all its Members from the Earliest Times'', ed. Vicary Gibbs, Vol. III (London: The St. Catherine Press, Ltd., 1913), p. 244 He was a supporter of King Stephen for a time, but seems to have joined the

Empress Matilda Empress Matilda ( 7 February 110210 September 1167), also known as the Empress Maude, was one of the claimants to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. The daughter of King Henry I of England, she moved to Germany as ...

at some point. When the king took Ranulf de Gernon, the Earl of Chester, prisoner the Earl gave his nephew Geoffrey as a guarantor for his liberation and good conduct.

Second rebellion

In 1147, Ranulf de Gernon rebelled against King Stephen again. The king, in turn, seized Gilbert and held him prisoner until he agreed to surrender all his castles.Paul Dalton; G. Graeme; J. White, ''King Stephen's Reign: (1135–1154)'' (Woodbridge, UK ; Rochester, NY: Boydell Press, 2008), pp. 88–89 After doing so the Earl of Hertford was released, but then joined his uncle Ranulf's rebellion. Gilbert, Earl of Pembroke, who up to this time had remained loyal to Stephen, then demanded his nephew Gilbert's castles 'maintaining that they were his by hereditary right'. When Stephen refused, Gilbert the Earl of Pembroke also joined Ranulph's rebellion. Stephen then confiscated his castles as well. Not long after, however, the king reconciled with both Gilberts, however, Ranulf de Gernon joined Henry of Anjou (later Henry II of England). Gilbert died unmarried and without issue in 1152 and was buried at Clare Priory. He was succeeded by his brother

Roger de Clare Roger de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford, 5th Lord of Clare, 5th Lord of Tonbridge, 5th Lord of Cardigan (1116–1173) was a powerful Anglo-Norman noble in 12th-century England. He succeeded to the Earldom of Hertford and Honor of Clare, Tonbridge an ...

.I.J. Sanders, ''English Baronies; A Study of their Origin and Descent 1086–1327'' (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1960), p. 35

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hertford, Gilbert De Clare, 1st Earl Of Clare, Gilbert Fitz Richard de

Gilbert Gilbert may refer to: People and fictional characters * Gilbert (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Gilbert (surname), including a list of people Places Australia * Gilbert River (Queensland) * Gilbert River (South ...

1110s births People of The Anarchy Earls of Hertford Peers created by King Stephen