General Notes

REFN: 1504AN
REFN: P1504
Gilbert De Clare was the son of Richard Fitz Gilbert, was born in 1066.
He later married Adeliz, the daughter of Hugh of Clermont.
Gilbert, li ke his father, took part in the rebellion against William
Rufus in 1088. Afte r a two day siege at Tonbridge Castle, the Clare
family was forced to surrend er to the king's forces. The was punished by
having his castle and the town o f Tonbridge burnt to the ground. Richard
Fitz Gilbert was also forced to live in a monastery where he died three
years later.
Gilbert was allowed to keep the family estates and in June 1095 fought
with William Rufus against the Sc ots. He is also believed to have taken
part in William's military campaigns i n Wales and Normandy.
On 2nd August 1100, William Rufus went hunting at Brocke nhurst in the New
Forest. Gilbert and his younger brother, Roger of Clare, we re with the
king. Another man in the hunting party was Walter Tirel, who was married
to Richard De Clare's daughter, Adelize. Also present was William Ruf us'
younger brother Henry. During the hunt, Walter Tirel fired an arrow at a
stag. The arrow missed the animal and hit William Rufus in the chest.
Withi n a few minutes the king was dead. Tirel jumped on his horse and
made off at great speed. He escaped to France and never returned again to
England.
Most people expected Robert Curthose to become king. However, his younger
brother Henry Beauclerk decided to take quick action to gain the throne.
As soon as h e realised William Rufus was dead, Henry rushed to Winchester
where the gover nment's money was kept. After gaining control of the
treasury, Henry declared he was the new king. Supported by the Clares,
Henry was crowned king on 5th August. Although Robert threatened to
invaDe England, he eventually agreed to do a deal with Henry. In return
for an annual payment of £2,000, Robert acce pted Henry as king of England
.
King Henry I generously rewarded the Clare fami ly for their loyalty.
Although Walter Tirel never returned to England, his so n was allowed to
keep his father's estates. Some people suspected that Henry and the Clare
family had planned the murder of William Rufus. Others accepted that
William Rufus' death was an accident. Whatever the truth of the matter,
the Clare family obtained considerable benefit from the death of William
R ufus.
In 1107 Gilbert led an army into Wales. After defeating Cadogan King
H enry I allowed him to take control of Cardigan. It is also believed that
Gilb ert became lord marcher of Striguil.
Gilbert De Clare was the father of three sons, Richard, Earl of Hertford,
Gilbert, Earl of Pembroke and Walter De Clar e. He also had a daughter,
Rohaise, who married Baderon De Monmouth. Gilbert De Clare died in 1115.
Son of Richard Fitz Gilbert and Rohese Giffard. Succeeded to his fathers p
ossessions in England, his brother, Roger Fitz Richard, succeeding to h
is father's lands in Normandy.
He was granted lands and the Lordship of Cardigan by Henry I, including Ca
rdigan Castle. He founded the Priory at Clare. Supposedly present at the s
uspicious death of William II in 1100. Fathered nine children, two of wh
om became peers of the realm.
By Adelize/Alice De Claremont, married 1086, (b. ca. 1058), daughter of Hu
gh De Creil, Count of Clermont, and Margaret De Roucy.
Walter De Clare 1086 1149
Margaret De Clare 1090 1185 m. (ca. 1108), Sir William De Montfitchet, Lo
rd of Stanstead Mountfitchet.
Adelize/Alice De Clare 1092 1163 m. (ca. 1105), Aubrey II De Vere, Justic
ar of England, Master Chamberlain, son of Aubrey I De Vere and Beatrice. S
he had nine children though became a nun in later life.
Baldwin Fitz Gilbert De Clare, Lord of Bourne 1092 1154 m. Adeline De Roll
os.
Richard Fitz Gilbert De Clare 1094 1136 1st Earl of Hertford.
Hervey De Clare (ca.1096) Unknown
Gilbert Fitz Gilbert De Clare (ca.1100) 1148 1st Earl of Pembroke.
Rohese De Clare (ca.1105) 1149 m. (ca. 1130), Bade