RICHARD DE CLARE, “Strongbow,” born ca 1130, died ca 20 apr 1176, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, 1150, Justiciar of Ireland; married ca 26 Aug 1171, Eva (175-7), daughter of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster in Ireland. “Haec jacet Ricarduo Strongbow, filius Gilberti, Comitis de Pembroke.” GS in the Chapter House, gloucester Cathedral. (CP I 22, IV 670 chart III, V 736, IC 590, X 352-357)55

Richard de Clare, called “Strongbow,” was the second Earl of Pembroke. This Anglo-Norman lord, whose conquests in Ireland laid the foundation of English rule there, was one of the principal Norman magnates in Wales. Richard led an army to Ireland in 1170 as the ally of Dermot Mac-Murrough, ruler of the Irish kingdom of Leinster. After taking Waterford and Dublin from Dermot’s foes, he married the King’s daughter and claimed the throne of Leinster when his father-in-law died.

In 1171, Richard surrendered Dublin to his sovereign King Henry II of England, and recognized him as his overlord. After Richard’s death, Henry claimed Ireland for his own son, John, and later English kings considered the country part of their domains.