RICHARD FITZGILBERT De Clare
'Strongbow'
Earl of Pembroke
| BIRTH: Abt 1130 in Tunbridge, Kent, England DEATH: 20 apr 1176 in Dublin, Leinster, Ireland BURIAL: Holy Trinity Church, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland FATHER: Gilbert De Strongbow FITZGILBERT - 21 Sep 1095 in Tunbridge, Kent, England MOTHER: Isabel (Elizabeth) verch ROBERT De Leicester - Abt 1100 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England
MARRIAGE: 26 Aug 1171 - Eva (Aoife) DIARMAIT MACDONNCHADA in Waterford, Ireland CHILDREN:
1. Isabel FITZRICHARD De Clare - Abt 1172 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales 2. Gilbert FITZRICHARD De Strigoil - 1173 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales 3. Joan FITZRICHARD De Clare - Abt 1175 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales 4. Alina FITZRICHARD De Clare - Abt 1177 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales |
BIRTH: Abt 1141 in Waterford, Ireland
The King of Leinster, Diarmuid MacMorrough (MacDonnchada), asked for help from Henry II to regain his kingdom. He was sent to Richard De Clare and along with other marcher barons and knights they took Wexford, Waterford and Dublin in 1169/1170. Richard then became known as 'Strongbow'.
The day after they captured Waterford, Richard married MacMorrough's (MacDonnchada) daughter Aiofe (Eva) of Leinster.
When her father died, Richard claimed the kingship of Leinster in right of his wife. Henry II summond him back in 1171 for concern of his barons' in new lands in Ireland. He then prepared to invade Iredland and that same year created the 'lordship of Ireland'.
Henry's sons rose up against him in Normany and Richard 'Strongow's support for Henry was the reason that Henry made him governor of Ireland. He also held the title of 'Lord Marshal of England'.
In 1176, the Irish rebelled and it was during this time that Richard Strongbow got an infection in his foot and died. He was buried in Dublin at Christ Church Cathedral.
Richard's son Gilbert was still living at the time of his father's death. However he died in 1185 before he had grown to manhood. He also left a daughter Isabel whom King Henry II promised in marriage to William Marshal, with her father's land and title.