Richard FitzGilbert de Clare

Richard de Clare FitzGilbert (* 1094, † April 15, 1136 ) from the family of Clare was the son of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare, Lord of Clare, Tonbridge, and Cardigan, and Alice ( Adeliza ) de Clermont. He was the founder of the abbey Tonbridge. His nephew was the army commander Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke.

Richard was Lord of Cardigan ( Ceredigion in Wales). As in 1135 in South Wales, an uprising against the rule of the Normans broke out in which on 1 January 1136 Welsh won a victory over local Norman forces between Loughor and Swansea, was Richard de Clare out of the country. He returned to the country's borders and penetrated with a small force notwithstanding the warnings direction Ceredigion ago. He had not gone far when he was in the vicinity of the Abbey of Lanthony near Abergavenny in an ambush by men of Gwent, under the leadership of Iorwerth from Owain and his brother Morgan, grandson of Caradog ap Gruffydd, became, in which he was killed.

The news of Richard's death brought Owain Gwynedd, Gruffydd ap Cynan 's son, King of Gwynedd to invade Ceredigion. With its allies, Gruffydd ap Rhys of Deheubarth, he won a crushing victory over the Normans at the Battle of Crug Mawr outside Aberteifi; the place was then captured and burnt, Richards widow Adeliza had to flee to the castle of Cardigan. She was released by Miles of Gloucester, who brought them to safety in England.

Progeny

Richard de Clare was married to Adeliza, a daughter of Ranulph le Meschin, 1st Earl of Chester (House Conte Ville); their children were:

• Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford, (* 1115, † 1152 )
• Alice de Clare ( Adelize de Tonbridge ), ( * 1117 )

• Roger de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford ( * after 1115 † 1173 )