Isabel Marshall

     Isabel was born on Monday, 9 October 1200 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed, Wales, at Pembroke Castle.¹ She was the daughter of William Marshall 4th Earl of Pembroke. and Isabel Fitz Gilbert de Clare. Isabel married Sir Gilbert de Clare 4th Earl of Hertford, son of Richard de Clare 3rd Earl of Hertford and Amicia FitzRobert Countess of Gloucester, on 9 October 1217 in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, at Tewkesbury Abbey. Despite the fact that Gilbert was 20 years older than Isabel, they had a very happy marriage.² Isabel married 2nd Richard Plantagenet 1st Earl of Cornwell on 30 March 1231 in Fawley, Buckinghamshire, England, at St. Mary's Church.³ This marriage took place only 5 months after the death of her first husband. For Isabel, a young widow of 30 years with 6 children, the proposal was opportune especially from a man of Richard's position. For Richard, Isabel had 6 healthy children, three of which were boys, making her an excellent choice for his bride. The marriage did prove to be successful inspite of King Henry's disapproval. After having been married to Richard for almost nine years, as she was dying, Isabel asked to be buried next to her first husband at Tewkesbury Abbey. Isabel died on Tuesday, 17 January 1240 in Herefordshire, England, at Berkhamsted Castle of liver failure which she contracted while in childbirth. Inspite of her request, Richard had her buried at Beaulieu Castle, next to her infant son, Nicholas who died the same day, but he did have her heart sent in a silver-gilt casket to be buried at Tewkesbury.