NameRichard FitzGilbert de Clare Strongbow 45
Birth Date1130
Death Date1176 Age: 46
Notes for Richard FitzGilbert de Clare Strongbow
http://www.castlewales.com/strngbow.html
http://www.castlewales.com/is_clare.html
http://www.pwestern.f9.co.uk/html/dat228.html#12
Gerald of Wales describes Strongbow as a tall man with red hair, freckles, grey eyes and a soft (weak) voice.
"In war Strongbow was more of a leader than a soldier. . . . When he took-up his position in the midst of battle, he stood firm as an immovable standard around which his men could re-group and take refuge. In war he remained steadfast and reliable in good fortune and bad alike. . . ."

Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Leinster, was the father of Isabel de Clare, wife of William Marshal. Richard was the son of Gilbert fitz Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, and Isabel de Beaumont, sister to Waleran Count of Meulan and Robert Earl of Leicester. Richard, like his father, was known as "Strongbow" for his skill and use of the long bow of the men of Gwent. Richard and his father supported King Stephen in the civil war between Stephen and the Empress Matilda for the throne of England until c1141 when King Stephen took Gilbert's lands and castles on the suspicion that Gilbert might join his nephew, Gilbert Earl of Clare, and Ranulf Earl of Chester on the Empress's side.

ver: Strongbow.rtf
Notes for Aoife (Eva) (Spouse 1)
http://www.castlewales.com/is_clare.html
http://www.pwestern.f9.co.uk/html/dat228.html#12 Strongbow died in June 1176 of some type of infection in his leg or foot. He was buried in Holy Trinity Church in Dublin with his uncle-in-law, Lawrence bishop of Dublin, presiding. He and Eve had a son Gilbert, who died still a minor in 1185, and a daughter Isabel, who would become Strongbow's sole heir. King Henry II took all of Strongbow's lands and castles into his own hands and placed a royal official in charge of them. He guarded well the inheritance of the young girl, Isabel.
Eve was given her dower rights and possibly held Striguil [Chepstow] as part of those dower rights until the Welsh rebellion of 1184/85. There is a record of Eve confirming a charter in Ireland in 1188/89 as "comtissa de Hibernia".
Last Modified 23 Feb 2002Created 20 Aug 2017 © Martin Romano Garcia, Asuncion.