Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare, 6th earl of

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Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare, 6th earl of (1243–95). On his entrance into public life on succeeding his father in 1262, Gloucester joined de Montfort's party in opposition to Henry III and fought at Lewes in 1264 capturing the king. But he soon changed sides, joined Prince Edward, and was prominent in the defeat of de Montfort at Evesham in 1265. By 1267 he was once more at odds with the king, occupied London, and negotiated terms on behalf of the ‘dispossessed’, de Montfort's former supporters. Much of his time was devoted to holding back the Welsh under Llewelyn and he was responsible for the building of the great castle at Caerphilly. Next he saw service against the Scots and from 1292–3 was in Ireland. His second wife, married 1290, was Joan, a daughter of Edward I. He was buried at Tewkesbury.

J. A. Cannon

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