Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke

Who was Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke?

Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke was the third son of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke, the daughter of Richard de Clare.

Gilbert acceded to the title of Earl of Pembroke and Lord Marshal on 11 June 1234, on the death of his elder brother Richard who had died childless.

He was married on 1 August 1235 in Berwick-upon-Tweed to Marjorie of Scotland, daughter of King William of Scotland. Their marriage was childless. By an unknown mistress he had one illegitimate daughter, Isabel, who was married to Rhys ap Maeldon Fychan.

He was accidentally killed on 27 June 1241 while in a tournament at Ware, which King Henry III had expressely forbidden, as he did not want any of his subjects killing one another in sport. Gilbert was thrown from his horse and his foot was caught in the stirrup, thus he was dragged for some distance on the ground and died from the injuries he had received. He was buried at Temple Church next to his father. His title was passed to his younger brother Walter a year after his death. Walter was not immediately confirmed as Earl of Pembroke and Lord Marshal due to the King's anger at Walter's disobedience of royal orders, as he had also attended the tournament which had killed Gilbert.