Elizabeth de Clare was the heiress to the lordships of Clare, Suffolk in England and Usk in Wales. She was one of three daughters of Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Hertford and Joan of Acre, and sister of the infant fourth earl, also Gilbert de Clare. She accompanied her brother Gilbert to Ireland for their double wedding to two siblings: the son and daughter of the Earl of Ulster. Elizabeth married John de Burgh on 30 September 1308 at Waltham Abbey, in the King's presence
He was the heir to the Earl of Ulster, and Elizabeth could expect to be a countess. She gave birth to their only child, a son, in 1312; he would become William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster. Only a year later, her husband John was suddenly killed in a minor skirmish. Now a widow, Elizabeth remained in Ireland until another family tragedy demanded her return.
Her brother Gilbert was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 aged only 23 and, as he left no surviving issue and had no brothers, his property was equally divided between his three full sisters, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Margaret. Suddenly Elizabeth was one of the greatest heiresses in England. Her uncle, King Edward II, recalled her to the land of her birth so he could select a husband for her. She left Ireland in 1316, leaving behind her young son, William. Elizabeth never returned.
Elizabeth married secondly on February 4, 1315/6, near Bristol, against the King's will and without his licence, Sir Theobald De Verdun, of Alton, Stafford County, [Lord Verdun], who died at Alton Castle, July 27, and was buried September 19, 1316, in Croxden Abbey. They had one daughter Isabel de Verdun
She married her third and last husband Sir Roger Damory, 1st baron Damory, about April 1317. He was condemned to death on March 14, 1322 at Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire County, England. They had one daughter Elizabeth Damory
She took a vow of chastity after Roger's death, effectively removing herself from the aristocratic marriage market. She enjoyed a long and fruitful widowhood, becoming patroness of many religious houses. Elizabeth is best remembered for having used much of her fortune to found Clare College, Cambridge.
She was buried with her third husband Roger Damory at St Mary's, Ware, Hertford County, England
He was the heir to the Earl of Ulster, and Elizabeth could expect to be a countess. She gave birth to their only child, a son, in 1312; he would become William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster. Only a year later, her husband John was suddenly killed in a minor skirmish. Now a widow, Elizabeth remained in Ireland until another family tragedy demanded her return.
Her brother Gilbert was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 aged only 23 and, as he left no surviving issue and had no brothers, his property was equally divided between his three full sisters, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Margaret. Suddenly Elizabeth was one of the greatest heiresses in England. Her uncle, King Edward II, recalled her to the land of her birth so he could select a husband for her. She left Ireland in 1316, leaving behind her young son, William. Elizabeth never returned.
Elizabeth married secondly on February 4, 1315/6, near Bristol, against the King's will and without his licence, Sir Theobald De Verdun, of Alton, Stafford County, [Lord Verdun], who died at Alton Castle, July 27, and was buried September 19, 1316, in Croxden Abbey. They had one daughter Isabel de Verdun
She married her third and last husband Sir Roger Damory, 1st baron Damory, about April 1317. He was condemned to death on March 14, 1322 at Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire County, England. They had one daughter Elizabeth Damory
She took a vow of chastity after Roger's death, effectively removing herself from the aristocratic marriage market. She enjoyed a long and fruitful widowhood, becoming patroness of many religious houses. Elizabeth is best remembered for having used much of her fortune to found Clare College, Cambridge.
She was buried with her third husband Roger Damory at St Mary's, Ware, Hertford County, England
Elizabeth de Clare was the heiress to the lordships of Clare, Suffolk in England and Usk in Wales. She was one of three daughters of Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Hertford and Joan of Acre, and sister of the infant fourth earl, also Gilbert de Clare. She accompanied her brother Gilbert to Ireland for their double wedding to two siblings: the son and daughter of the Earl of Ulster. Elizabeth married John de Burgh on 30 September 1308 at Waltham Abbey, in the King's presence
He was the heir to the Earl of Ulster, and Elizabeth could expect to be a countess. She gave birth to their only child, a son, in 1312; he would become William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster. Only a year later, her husband John was suddenly killed in a minor skirmish. Now a widow, Elizabeth remained in Ireland until another family tragedy demanded her return.
Her brother Gilbert was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 aged only 23 and, as he left no surviving issue and had no brothers, his property was equally divided between his three full sisters, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Margaret. Suddenly Elizabeth was one of the greatest heiresses in England. Her uncle, King Edward II, recalled her to the land of her birth so he could select a husband for her. She left Ireland in 1316, leaving behind her young son, William. Elizabeth never returned.
Elizabeth married secondly on February 4, 1315/6, near Bristol, against the King's will and without his licence, Sir Theobald De Verdun, of Alton, Stafford County, [Lord Verdun], who died at Alton Castle, July 27, and was buried September 19, 1316, in Croxden Abbey. They had one daughter Isabel de Verdun
She married her third and last husband Sir Roger Damory, 1st baron Damory, about April 1317. He was condemned to death on March 14, 1322 at Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire County, England. They had one daughter Elizabeth Damory
She took a vow of chastity after Roger's death, effectively removing herself from the aristocratic marriage market. She enjoyed a long and fruitful widowhood, becoming patroness of many religious houses. Elizabeth is best remembered for having used much of her fortune to found Clare College, Cambridge.
She was buried with her third husband Roger Damory at St Mary's, Ware, Hertford County, England
He was the heir to the Earl of Ulster, and Elizabeth could expect to be a countess. She gave birth to their only child, a son, in 1312; he would become William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster. Only a year later, her husband John was suddenly killed in a minor skirmish. Now a widow, Elizabeth remained in Ireland until another family tragedy demanded her return.
Her brother Gilbert was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 aged only 23 and, as he left no surviving issue and had no brothers, his property was equally divided between his three full sisters, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Margaret. Suddenly Elizabeth was one of the greatest heiresses in England. Her uncle, King Edward II, recalled her to the land of her birth so he could select a husband for her. She left Ireland in 1316, leaving behind her young son, William. Elizabeth never returned.
Elizabeth married secondly on February 4, 1315/6, near Bristol, against the King's will and without his licence, Sir Theobald De Verdun, of Alton, Stafford County, [Lord Verdun], who died at Alton Castle, July 27, and was buried September 19, 1316, in Croxden Abbey. They had one daughter Isabel de Verdun
She married her third and last husband Sir Roger Damory, 1st baron Damory, about April 1317. He was condemned to death on March 14, 1322 at Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire County, England. They had one daughter Elizabeth Damory
She took a vow of chastity after Roger's death, effectively removing herself from the aristocratic marriage market. She enjoyed a long and fruitful widowhood, becoming patroness of many religious houses. Elizabeth is best remembered for having used much of her fortune to found Clare College, Cambridge.
She was buried with her third husband Roger Damory at St Mary's, Ware, Hertford County, England
