2nd Earl of Pembroke. Born Richard FitzGilbert de Clare, the son of Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabella. He succeeded upon his father's death about 1148, but the de Clare estates were severely reduced, and Henry II refused to confirm the grant of the title of earl and so de Clare, from that point, called himself Lord of Striguil. He was chosen to lead an expedition to Ireland in support of King Diarmuid of Leinster in Ireland around 1170. After de Clare's capture of Waterford, he married King Diarmuid's daughter, Aoife, and when Diarmuid died the following year, de Clare claimed the throne of Leinster in his wife's name. Henry II recalled him in 1171 to demand a vow of fealty. After he backed the King during a rebellion of his sons, in 1173 he was named Henry II's governor of Ireland where he faced near-constant rebellion. In 1174, he was badly beaten at Connaught, but re-established his stronghold at Leinster. After another rebellion in 1176 he reportedly succumbed to an severely infected foot. When his heir, Gilbert, died at about age 12, his daughter Isabel inherited his title in 1185 which eventually devolved to her husband, Sir William Marshal, in 1199. de Clare was popularly known as Strongbow.
2nd Earl of Pembroke. Born Richard FitzGilbert de Clare, the son of Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabella. He succeeded upon his father's death about 1148, but the de Clare estates were severely reduced, and Henry II refused to confirm the grant of the title of earl and so de Clare, from that point, called himself Lord of Striguil. He was chosen to lead an expedition to Ireland in support of King Diarmuid of Leinster in Ireland around 1170. After de Clare's capture of Waterford, he married King Diarmuid's daughter, Aoife, and when Diarmuid died the following year, de Clare claimed the throne of Leinster in his wife's name. Henry II recalled him in 1171 to demand a vow of fealty. After he backed the King during a rebellion of his sons, in 1173 he was named Henry II's governor of Ireland where he faced near-constant rebellion. In 1174, he was badly beaten at Connaught, but re-established his stronghold at Leinster. After another rebellion in 1176 he reportedly succumbed to an severely infected foot. When his heir, Gilbert, died at about age 12, his daughter Isabel inherited his title in 1185 which eventually devolved to her husband, Sir William Marshal, in 1199. de Clare was popularly known as Strongbow.
Bio by: Iola
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