NameRichard fitz Gilbert de Clare
Birth1094, Hertford, Hertfordshire, England
DeathApr 15, 1136, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, England
Occupation1st Earl of Hertford, 1096 - 1136
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_de_Clare,_1st_Earl_of_HertfordLineage
Richard FitzGilbert de Clare. 1st Earl of Hertford (1094–
15 April 1136) was the son of
Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare and
Alice de Claremont also known as
Adeliza de Claremont.
He founded the
priory of
Tonbridge.
Welsh Revolt
Richard held the Lordship of
Ceredigion in
Wales. A Welsh revolt against
Norman rule had begun in south Wales, where on
1 January 1136 the Welsh won a victory over the local Norman forces between
Loughor and
Swansea.
Ambush & Death in Gwent
Richard had been away from his lordship in the early part of the year. Returning to the borders of Wales in April, he ignored warnings of the danger and pressed on towards
Ceredigion with only a small force. He had not gone far when he was ambushed and killed by the men of
Gwent under
Iorwerth ab Owain and his brother Morgan, grandsons of
Caradog ap Gruffydd, in a woody tract called "the ill-way of Coed Grano", near
Llanthony Abbey, north of
Abergavenny.
Spur for Welsh Invasion
The news of Richard's death induced
Owain Gwynedd, son of
Gruffydd ap Cynan, king of
Gwynedd to invade his Lordship. In alliance with
Gruffydd ap Rhys of
Deheubarth he won a crushing victory over the
Normans at the
Battle of Crug Mawr, just outside
Cardigan. The town of
Cardigan was taken and burnt, and Richard's widow, Adelize, took refuge in
Cardigan Castle, which was successfully defended by
Robert fitz Martin. She was rescued by
Miles of Gloucester who led an expedition to bring her to safety in
England.