Deaths on April 20

Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, English-Irish politician, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland (b. 1130)

Richard de Clare, a towering figure in the annals of Anglo-Norman history, is perhaps best known by his evocative nickname, "Strongbow." Born around 1130, this formidable nobleman, officially the 2nd Earl of Pembroke (of its first creation), played an instrumental and indeed, transformative, role in the 12th-century Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. His life, which concluded on April 20, 1176, saw him rise through the ranks of English aristocracy to become the Lord of Leinster and, for a period, the Justiciar of Ireland, cementing a legacy that profoundly reshaped the political and cultural landscape of the island. He was also known by his patronymic, Richard FitzGilbert, reflecting his lineage within the powerful de Clare family, a prominent Anglo-Norman baronial family with extensive lands and influence in England and Wales.

The Enigmatic Nickname "Strongbow"

The enduring moniker "Strongbow" (in Norman French, "Arc-Fort") is almost as famous as Richard de Clare himself. Interestingly, this nickname was also associated with his father, Gilbert de Clare, suggesting a family trait or perhaps a legend passed down through generations. However, historical debate continues regarding its precise origin. One prominent theory suggests it might be a mistranscription or mistranslation of "Striguil" (also spelled Strigoil), referring to the de Clare family's ancestral castle and lordship of Striguil, or Chepstow, in what is now Monmouthshire, Wales. This linguistic twist adds a layer of intrigue to his historical persona, as the image of a powerful archer became synonymous with the man who led a pivotal military expedition. Regardless of its exact etymology, the name "Strongbow" has become inextricably linked to his exploits in Ireland, symbolizing strength and military prowess, a fitting epithet for a military leader who left an indelible mark on history.

The Call to Ireland and the Anglo-Norman Invasion

Richard de Clare's pivotal involvement in Ireland began with a desperate plea from Diarmait Mac Murchada, the exiled King of Leinster. Having been ousted from his kingdom in 1166 by a coalition of Irish kings, Diarmait sought assistance from King Henry II of England. Receiving a somewhat lukewarm endorsement, Diarmait then turned to the Anglo-Norman lords in Wales, among whom Richard de Clare was pre-eminent. In a landmark agreement reached in 1169, Strongbow pledged his military support to Diarmait, promising to restore him to his throne in exchange for the hand of Diarmait's daughter, Aoife, and the succession to the Kingdom of Leinster. This audacious pact, made without the direct approval of Henry II, set the stage for the dramatic Anglo-Norman intervention that would irrevocably alter the course of Irish history.

In 1170, Strongbow led his main force across the Irish Sea, landing near Waterford. His arrival marked a significant escalation of the Anglo-Norman presence, following earlier expeditions by other lords like Robert FitzStephen and Maurice de Prendergast. The Anglo-Normans, with their superior military organization, heavily armored knights, and formidable archers, quickly captured strategic towns. Waterford fell, followed by the crucial city of Dublin. Strongbow fulfilled his part of the bargain, marrying Aoife Mac Murchada in Waterford, a union that symbolically and practically cemented his claim to Leinster. Upon Diarmait's death in 1171, Richard de Clare, by right of his wife, formally claimed the Lordship of Leinster, a move that directly challenged traditional Irish succession laws and deeply concerned King Henry II, who feared the rise of an independent Norman dominion across the sea, potentially challenging his own authority.

Consolidating Power and Royal Intervention

The rapid success of Strongbow and his men in Ireland compelled King Henry II to intervene personally. Henry, anxious about his powerful vassal accumulating too much land and influence outside royal control, landed in Ireland in 1171 with a substantial force. This royal visit effectively asserted English sovereignty over the newly acquired territories and brought the Norman lords, including Strongbow, back under direct royal authority. Strongbow was compelled to surrender Dublin and other coastal towns to the King, acknowledging Henry II's ultimate suzerainty. In return, Henry confirmed Strongbow's possession of the Lordship of Leinster, albeit as a feudal tenancy from the English Crown, rather than an independent kingdom. This arrangement underscored the emerging reality of English overlordship in Ireland and solidified the groundwork for centuries of Anglo-Irish relations. Strongbow was subsequently appointed Justiciar of Ireland in 1173, a role that placed him at the head of the fledgling Anglo-Norman administration, responsible for maintaining law and order, and overseeing royal interests. His time as Justiciar, though brief, was marked by efforts to consolidate Norman control and administer the conquered lands, establishing a semblance of English governance.

Legacy and Succession

Richard de Clare, Strongbow, passed away on April 20, 1176, in Dublin, marking the end of a tumultuous and influential life. His death at a relatively young age left a complex legacy. He had laid the groundwork for centuries of English involvement in Ireland, fundamentally altering its historical trajectory and ushering in the Anglo-Norman period. However, the direct male line of his earldom did not continue. His only son, Gilbert de Striguil (or de Strigoil), sadly died unmarried and without issue sometime before 1189. Consequently, the vast de Clare estates and the title of Earl of Pembroke passed through Richard's daughter, Isabel de Clare, who became one of the wealthiest heiresses in medieval Europe.

Isabel's marriage to William Marshal, one of the most celebrated knights and statesmen of his age, proved to be another pivotal moment in history. Marshal, through his marriage to Isabel, inherited the Lordship of Leinster and the Earldom of Pembroke, further cementing the Anglo-Norman presence in Ireland and linking the de Clare legacy to one of England's most powerful noble families. This union ensured that Strongbow's influence, though indirect, continued to shape the political landscape for generations, leaving an indelible mark on both English and Irish history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard "Strongbow" de Clare

Who was Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow?

Richard de Clare, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke (of the first creation), was a prominent Anglo-Norman nobleman born around 1130. He is historically significant for his leading role in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, eventually becoming the Lord of Leinster and a Justiciar of Ireland.

Why was he called "Strongbow"?

His nickname "Strongbow" (Norman French: Arc-Fort) was also associated with his father, Gilbert de Clare. While it evokes an image of a powerful archer, one popular theory suggests it might be a mistranscription or mistranslation of "Striguil" or "Strigoil," referring to the de Clare family's ancestral lordship of Striguil (Chepstow) in Wales.

What was his main role in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland?

Strongbow led the main Anglo-Norman forces into Ireland in 1170, responding to an invitation from the exiled Irish King Diarmait Mac Murchada. He captured key cities like Waterford and Dublin, married Diarmait's daughter Aoife, and upon Diarmait's death, claimed the Lordship of Leinster. His military prowess and strategic alliances were crucial to establishing the initial Anglo-Norman foothold in Ireland.

When did Richard de Clare die?

Richard de Clare, Strongbow, died on April 20, 1176, in Dublin, Ireland.

What happened to his earldom and lands after his death?

Strongbow's only son, Gilbert de Striguil, died unmarried and without issue before 1189. Consequently, the Earldom of Pembroke and the vast Lordship of Leinster passed to Strongbow's daughter, Isabel de Clare. Isabel, a wealthy heiress, subsequently married William Marshal, one of the most renowned knights of the age, thereby transferring the de Clare inheritance and influence to the powerful Marshal family.