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Richard de Clare (c. 1130 – 20 April 1176), the second
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 ...
, also Lord of
Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...
and
Justiciar of Ireland The chief governor was the senior official in the Dublin Castle administration, which maintained English and British rule in Ireland from the 1170s to 1922. The chief governor was the viceroy of the English monarch (and later the British monar ...
(sometimes known as Richard FitzGilbert), was an Anglo-Norman nobleman notable for his leading role in the
Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland took place during the late 12th century, when Anglo-Normans gradually conquered and acquired large swathes of land in Ireland over which the List of English monarchs, monarchs of England then claimed sovere ...
. Like his father, Richard is commonly known by his nickname, Strongbow (). After his son and heir, Gilbert, died childless before 1189, the earldom passed through Richard's daughter Isabel de Clare and to her husband,
William Marshal William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1146 or 1147 – 14 May 1219), also called William the Marshal (Norman French: ', French: '), was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman during High Medieval England who served five English kings: Henry ...
.


Nickname

During the
Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...
, official documents, with few exceptions, were written in Latin; in the Domesday Exchequer
annals Annals (, from , "year") are a concise history, historical record in which events are arranged chronology, chronologically, year by year, although the term is also used loosely for any historical record. Scope The nature of the distinction betw ...
, written between 1300 and 1304 (that means, over 120 years after Richard's death), he was referred to as "''Ricardus cognomento Stranghose Comes Strugulliae"'', which translates to "Richard, known as Stranghose, earl of Striguil" (modern
Chepstow Chepstow () is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the tidal River Wye, about above its confluence with the River Severn, and adjoining the western end of the ...
). In reality, Stranghose is probably a different spelling of Striguil. In the 14th century, the nickname was finally rendered as "Strongbow".


Early life

Richard de Clare was the son of Gilbert de Clare, the first
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 ...
and his wife, Isabel de Beaumont, daughter of Robert de Beaumont,
Earl of Leicester Earl of Leicester is a title that has been created seven times. The first title was granted during the 12th century in the Peerage of England. The current title is in the Peerage of the United Kingdom and was created in 1837. History Earl ...
and mistress of King Henry I. Richard also had a sister, Basilea de Clare. Gilbert died in about 1148, and Richard inherited his father’s possessions when he was roughly 18 years old. In 1154
Henry II Henry II may refer to: Kings * Saint Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor (972–1024), crowned King of Germany in 1002, of Italy in 1004 and Emperor in 1014 *Henry II of England (1133–89), reigned from 1154 *Henry II of Jerusalem and Cyprus (1271–1 ...
deprived Richard of the title for siding against his mother,
Empress Matilda Empress Matilda (10 September 1167), also known as Empress Maud, was one of the claimants to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. The daughter and heir of Henry I, king of England and ruler of Normandy, she went to ...
, during
the Anarchy The Anarchy was a civil war in England and Duchy of Normandy, Normandy between 1138 and 1153, which resulted in a widespread breakdown in law and order. The conflict was a war of succession precipitated by the accidental death of William Adel ...
and his contemporaries referred to him as Earl of Striguil for his marcher Lordship of Striguil where he had a castle.


Career


Background

In 1167 Dermot MacMurrough was deposed as King of Leinster by Rory O'Connor, the
High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and was later sometimes assigned anachronously or to leg ...
and to recover his kingdom, Dermot went to
Aquitaine Aquitaine (, ; ; ; ; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''Aguiéne''), archaic Guyenne or Guienne (), is a historical region of southwestern France and a former Regions of France, administrative region. Since 1 January 2016 it has been part of the administ ...
to ask
Henry II of England Henry II () was King of England The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with the ...
for help but Henry limited his help to permitting the recruitment of English mercenaries. Dermot failed to recruit in
Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
but did meet Richard De Clare and the other lords of the
Welsh Marches The Welsh Marches () is an imprecisely defined area along the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods. The English term Welsh March (in Medieval Latin ''Marchia W ...
. Dermot came to an agreement with Richard: if the latter helped the deposed king in the retaking of Leinster, he could have Aoife, Dermot's eldest daughter, in marriage, along with the succession to the crown if it was regained. Since Henry II's letter to Dermot was general in nature, Richard wanted to obtain the king's specific consent to travel to Ireland. In 1168 he raised the issue at court and he was granted permission.


Campaign in Ireland

Dermot and Richard raised a large army, commanded by Raymond FitzGerald, which included Welsh archers. The army sailed in
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
and took the Ostman towns of
Wexford Wexford ( ; archaic Yola dialect, Yola: ''Weiseforthe'') is the county town of County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Wexford lies on the south side of Wexford Harbour, the estuary of the River Slaney near the southeastern corner of the ...
,
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
and
Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
These were '' longphorts'' where the Viking raiders settled, marrying Gaelic women and slightly acculturating to Gaelic customs (such as naming practices, MacGiollamhuire, MacTurkill, etc.), Dublin being the most famous. See: James F. Lydon, ''The Making of Ireland: From Ancient Times to Present'' (London; New York: Routledge, 1998), p. 21. between 1169 and 1170. On 23 August 1170, Richard embarked on his ships at
Milford Haven Milford Haven ( ) is a town and community (Wales), community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, an estuary forming a natural harbour that has been used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town was ...
to join the force; however, a royal messenger arrived to forbid him to go. Richard sailed anyway and ignored the king's wishes. Dermot died in May 1171, and his son Donal MacMurrough claimed the kingdom of Leinster in accordance to the
Brehon law Early Irish law, also called Brehon law (from the old Irish word breithim meaning judge), comprised the statutes which governed everyday life in Early Medieval Ireland. They were partially eclipsed by the Norman invasion of 1169, but underwe ...
s. Richard, in turn, claimed the kingship in the right of his wife. At the same time he sent his uncle, Hervey de Montmorency, on an
embassy A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a Sovereign state, state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase ...
to Henry II to appease the king who was growing worried with Richard's increasing power. Henry offered to return Richard's lands in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
,
England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
and Wales (which he had confiscated) in exchange for the conquered possessions in Ireland. Richard accepted and surrendered Dublin, Waterford and other fortresses to the English king, only keeping
Kildare Kildare () is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. , its population was 10,302, making it the 7th largest town in County Kildare. It is home to Kildare Cathedral, historically the site of an important abbey said to have been founded by Saint ...
. Henry crossed over to Ireland in October 1172 and stayed there for six months, stationing his own men where needed. His rule in Ireland was accepted by both the Gaelic and the Norman lords, and the relationship between him and Richard was restored. Richard, in fact, also agreed to help Henry with the revolt in France in 1173 and as a reward he was given his possession of Leinster back. In 1174 he tried to advance into
Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
but was defeated in the battle of Thurles.


Death and succession

Richard de Clare died in June 1176 of an infection in either his leg or foot. He was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Dublin, together with his uncle-in-law, Laurence O'Toole,
Archbishop of Dublin The Archbishop of Dublin () is an Episcopal polity, archiepiscopal title which takes its name from Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Since the Reformation in Ireland, Reformation, there have been parallel apostolic successions to the title: ...
. King Henry II took Richard's possessions for himself and placed a royal official in charge of them, protecting the inheritance of Richard's children. Richard's wife Aoife was given her
dower Dower is a provision accorded traditionally by a husband or his family, to a wife for her support should she become widowed. It was settlement (law), settled on the bride (being given into trust instrument, trust) by agreement at the time of t ...
rights and possibly held Striguil until the Welsh rebellion of 1184/85. Richard was first succeeded by his son Gilbert (born 1173 – died 1185/1189), making him the 3rd Earl of Pembroke. When Gilbert died, still a minor, the inheritance passed onto Richard's daughter
Isabel Isabel is a female name of Iberian origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of ''Elizabeth (given name), Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew ''Elisheba''). Arising in the 12th c ...
. Isabel, on the wishes of Henry II and his son
Richard the Lionheart Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic language">Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'st ...
, was given in spouse to
William Marshal William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1146 or 1147 – 14 May 1219), also called William the Marshal (Norman French: ', French: '), was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman during High Medieval England who served five English kings: Henry ...
, who became the Earl of Pembroke for
jure uxoris ''Jure uxoris'' (a Latin phrase meaning "by right of (his) wife"), citing . describes a title of nobility used by a man because his wife holds the office or title '' suo jure'' ("in her own right"). Similarly, the husband of an heiress could beco ...
.


Marriage and issue

By an unknown mistress, Richard de Clare fathered two daughters: * Aline de Clare,Aline was born well before her father married Aoife, daughter of Dermot. That both she and her unnamed sister were illegitimate is indicated by the fact that neither inherited anything from their father's great holdings. See: Cokayne, ''CP'', X, Appendix H, 103 married William FitzMaurice FitzGerald, baron of
Naas Naas ( ; or ) is the county town of County Kildare in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In 2022, it had a population of 26,180, making it the largest town in County Kildare (ahead of Newbridge, County Kildare, Newbridge) and the List of urban ar ...
Cokayne 1945, Appendix H, p. 103 * Basilia de Clare, married Robert de Quincy, Constable of Leinster. On about 26 August 1171, in Reginald's Tower (
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
), Richard de Clare married Aoife MacMurrough. Their children were: * Gilbert de Clare, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, who died a minor in 1185 *
Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke Isabel is a female name of Iberian origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of '' Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew '' Elisheba''). Arising in the 12th century, it became popu ...
, who became Countess of Pembroke in her own right in 1185 (on the death of her brother) until her own death in 1220.


Legacy

Richard de Clare was first interred in Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral, where a purported
tomb effigy A tomb effigy (French language, French: ''gisant'' ("lying")) is a sculpted effigy of a deceased person usually shown lying recumbent on a rectangular slab, presented in full ceremonial dress or wrapped in a shroud, and shown either dying or sh ...
is located.Alfred Webb, ''A compendium of Irish biography'' (Dublin: M.H. Gill & Son, 1878), p. 130 Next to it lies a "smaller half-sized monument" which Richard Stanyhurst claimed was "that of Strongbow’s son, whom his father had cleft in twain for cowardice in battle", although "no contemporary authors" mention any such tale. Richard de Clare's actual tomb effigy was destroyed when the roof of the Cathedral collapsed in 1562. The effigy was replaced by "Strongbow’s distant successor, Lord Deputy Sir
Henry Sidney Sir Henry Sidney (20 July 1529 – 5 May 1586) was an English soldier, politician and Lord Deputy of Ireland. Background He was the eldest son of Sir William Sidney of Penshurst (1482 – 11 February 1553) and Anne Pakenham (1511 – 22 Oc ...
", in 1570. "The larger figure dates from c. 1330, while the smaller ..is probably late thirteenth- or early fourteenth-century. ..What is clear is that the present tomb replaced the original. The tomb’s shield is not that of the de Clare family and today remains unidentified". Marc Marie, Marquis de Bombelles "described Strongbow’s tomb astutely as ‘the least authentic and the most remarkable’." Richard de Clare was buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, within sight of the cross according to an eyewitness, Giraldus Cambrensis. There is little evidence to support the tradition that he was buried either in St Edan's Cathedral, Ferns,
Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford, or more formally, the Cathedral of The Holy Trinity, Christ Church, is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Waterford City, Ireland. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin. Previously the cathedral ...
or Dominican priory, Kilkenny. References to "de Clare" being buried in
Gloucester Cathedral Gloucester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity and formerly St Peter's Abbey, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the River Severn. It originated with the establishme ...
refer to his father, while those to "Strongbow" in Tintern abbey refer probably to Walter or Anselm Marshall, both of whom died in 1245.


In popular culture

The English cider brand Strongbow is named after him.


See also

* William Bendings *
The Song of Dermot and the Earl ''The Song of Dermot and the Earl'' () is an anonymous Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Norman verse chronicle written in the early 13th century in England. It tells of the arrival of Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Richard de Clare (Strongbow) in I ...
*
Normans in Ireland Norman Irish or Hiberno-Normans (; ) is a modern term for the descendants of Norman settlers who arrived during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Most came from England and Wales. They are distinguished from the native ...


Notes


References


Sources

* * * * * *


Citations


External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pembroke, Richard De Clare, 2nd Earl Of 1130 births 1176 deaths Normans in Ireland Anglo-Normans in Wales Richard de Clare People from Tonbridge
Richard Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic language">Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'st ...
People from Pembrokeshire Earls of Buckingham Lords Lieutenant of Ireland