Gilbert de Clare, 6th Earl of Hertford, 7th Earl of Gloucester
2nd September, 1243
I grew up in the very northern tip of the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire. Up there, jammed in the green valley folds on the northern slopes of the Preseli Mountains where, a couple of thousand years ago, the builders of Stonehenge came all that way to get the local stone, for whatever reason, we call it ‘Sir Benfro’. A bit further south runs the imaginary boundary known as the Landsker Line, a linguistic border that separates the English-speaking south of the county from the glowering, dark, Mirkwood north where Welsh is the language of the locals.
There are no marks on the ground, but on the map, the distinction is clear. The English half of the county has places with Anglo-Saxon and Norman names like Wolfscastle and Manorbier. The north has names you can chew and spit across a barroom like Maenclochog and Eglwyswrw.
This might be put down to a trick of geography were it not for the fact that in 2015, the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics reported "unexpectedly stark differences between inhabitants in the north and south of the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire" in DNA signatures.
The Landsker Line separates along more than just linguistic tendencies.
The Romans found the southern part of Wales particularly difficult to subdue. Try as they might, the locals refused to play along. Non atrocitate, non clementia mutabatur, as Tacitus put it of the tribe they called the Silures. ‘Neither cruelty nor clemency could change them.’
Similarly, when the Normans turned up a few centuries later, they found their progress slowed by inhospitable terrain and even more inhospitable people. It's often said that no other country in the world has as many castles per square mile as Wales does. I have no idea if that’s true, but there are castles everywhere you look. For the better part of 1,500 years, Wales was just a giant battleground.
One of the chief weapons the Normans wielded against the Welsh was ethnic cleansing. Today it would be called genocide, but the practice of simply filling up recalcitrant sections of the country with people more sympathetic to your cause is what has resulted in little enclaves across the south where the language and, seemingly, the DNA is different.
These days, it’s all a bit jollier than that, but it’s not entirely without conflict. Both English and Welsh are the official languages of Wales and in areas such as those south of Landsker, English dominates to the extent that some don’t see much point in the Welsh language at all. Some, but by far and away not all, would rather the place be in Wales in name only. It’s not that many decades ago that such antagonistic feelings spilled over into violence. I grew up in a time when Northern Ireland was not the only place in the UK where separatist terrorist violence was a threat.
Thankfully, the waters of Welsh nationalism no longer run so turbulently, but the Welsh have old memories, seeped into the stones the old builders came for all those thousands of years ago. And the reason they have them; the reason they remember is because of assholes like Gilbert de Clare.
Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester, was born on September 2, 1243, into one of the most influential noble families in England. His life was marked by significant military and political involvement, both in the broader affairs of the English kingdom and in the volatile border regions between England and Wales. A central figure in the political machinations of his time, Gilbert's actions left a lasting impact on the history of England and Wales.
Gilbert was the eldest son of Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester, and Maud de Lacy. The de Clare family was of Norman descent, and by the 13th century, they had become one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in England. Through his father, Gilbert inherited vast estates, including the lordship of Glamorgan, which made him a formidable figure in both English and Welsh affairs. His mother, Maud de Lacy, brought additional lands and influence, further solidifying the family's status.
Gilbert’s early life was shaped by the complex political landscape of England during the reign of Henry III. As a young nobleman, he was introduced to the intricacies of court politics and the responsibilities of managing his extensive estates. However, it was his involvement in the Second Barons' War that would bring him to the forefront of English history.
One of the most tragic events associated with Gilbert’s early years was the massacre of the Jews at Canterbury in 1264. During the Second Barons' War, tensions were high between the monarchy, led by Henry III, and the rebellious barons, among whom Gilbert was a prominent leader. In April 1264, as the conflict escalated, Gilbert’s forces captured the city of Canterbury. Following the capture, a mob, likely instigated by anti-Semitic sentiments and the general lawlessness of the period, attacked the Jewish community in the city. Many Jews were killed, and their properties were looted. While it is unclear to what extent Gilbert personally sanctioned or participated in this massacre, it remains a dark chapter in his legacy.
The Battle of Lewes, fought on May 14, 1264, was a pivotal moment in Gilbert’s life. As a leading figure in the rebellion against King Henry III, Gilbert played a crucial role in the battle. The conflict arose from the dissatisfaction of many English barons with the king’s autocratic rule and his favouritism towards foreign courtiers. Gilbert, alongside Simon de Montfort, led the baronial forces against the royal army. The battle was a decisive victory for the rebels, and it resulted in the capture of King Henry III and his son, Prince Edward (later Edward I). This victory temporarily placed England under the control of the barons, with de Montfort effectively becoming the ruler. Gilbert's role in the victory earned him significant influence, though it also set him on a collision course with the monarchy.
Following the Battle of Lewes, Gilbert's fortunes began to shift. Despite his initial support for de Montfort, he became increasingly disillusioned with the baronial leader's authoritarian rule. By 1265, Gilbert had switched sides, aligning himself with Prince Edward. This decision led to his excommunication by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who supported de Montfort's regime. Excommunication was a severe penalty, effectively cutting Gilbert off from the Church and its sacraments. However, Gilbert's change of allegiance proved to be a wise move in the long run. Later that year, at the Battle of Evesham, the royalist forces led by Prince Edward defeated de Montfort’s army, and de Montfort himself was killed. With this victory, Gilbert was reconciled with the crown, and his excommunication was lifted.
As a Marcher Lord, Gilbert de Clare held significant power along the Welsh border. The Marcher Lords were a unique group of nobles who governed the borderlands between England and Wales, enjoying considerable autonomy in their regions. Gilbert’s lordship of Glamorgan placed him in direct conflict with the Welsh princes, particularly Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Wales. Gilbert was known for his aggressive tactics and frequent skirmishes with the Welsh, often engaging in what were effectively private wars. His activities as a Marcher Lord exemplified the lawlessness and violence that characterized the borderlands during this period. Despite the constant conflict, Gilbert managed to maintain and even expand his territories, further cementing his family’s dominance in the region.
In 1282, Gilbert played a significant role in the Welsh War, which marked the final conquest of Wales by Edward I. The conflict began when Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who had previously acknowledged Edward's overlordship, refused to pay homage to the English king. Edward responded with a massive military campaign, and Gilbert was one of the key commanders. His intimate knowledge of the Welsh terrain and his experience as a Marcher Lord made him invaluable to the English cause. The war culminated in the death of Llywelyn and the eventual subjugation of Wales, bringing the entire country under English control. Gilbert’s participation in this war further enhanced his standing with the crown, and he was rewarded with additional lands and titles.
Gilbert’s personal life was as eventful as his military and political career. In 1253, at the age of ten, he was married to Alice de Lusignan, a niece of Henry III. However, this marriage was annulled in 1271, possibly due to the lack of issue and the shifting political alliances of the period. Shortly thereafter, Gilbert married Joan of Acre, the daughter of Edward I. This marriage not only strengthened his ties to the royal family but also brought him further wealth and influence. Joan was much younger than Gilbert, and their marriage was marked by some turbulence, particularly regarding the succession of their estates.
Gilbert and Joan had several children, the most notable of whom was their son, also named Gilbert de Clare. The younger Gilbert inherited his father’s titles and estates upon his death in 1295, though he did not live to enjoy them for long. The de Clare lineage continued to be influential in English politics, though the family’s fortunes would eventually wane in the centuries that followed.
Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester, was a man of his time—a powerful noble who navigated the turbulent waters of 13th-century England with a combination of military prowess and political acumen. His life was marked by both triumph and tragedy, and his legacy continues to be felt in the history of England and Wales.