Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury facts for kids

Ela of Salisbury (born 1187, died 24 August 1261) was a very important English noblewoman. She became the Countess of Salisbury in her own right in 1196. This happened after her father, William FitzPatrick, the 2nd Earl of Salisbury, passed away.

Ela married William Longespée in 1196. William was the half-brother of two English kings, Richard I and John. Because he married Ela, he also became the Earl of Salisbury. After William died, Ela took on the important job of High Sheriff of Wiltshire for two years. Later, she became a nun and then the Abbess of Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. She had actually founded this abbey herself in 1229.

Ela's Early Life and Family History

Ela was born in 1187 in Amesbury, a town in Wiltshire, England. She was the only child of William FitzPatrick, the 2nd Earl of Salisbury, and Eléonore de Vitré. Her father was also the Sheriff of Wiltshire.

When her father died in 1196, Ela became the 3rd Countess of Salisbury. This meant she inherited her father's title and lands. There's a famous story that after her father's death, one of her uncles tried to lock her away in a castle in Normandy. He wanted to steal her title and her family's great wealth. But a brave knight named William Talbot supposedly rescued her. He traveled through France, singing songs under castle windows until Ela heard him and responded.

Ela's Marriage and Children

In 1196, the same year she became a countess, Ela married William Longespée. William was a son of King Henry II. King Henry II was a very powerful ruler.

Ela was under the King's care until she was old enough to marry. William was about 13 years older than Ela. After their marriage, William became the 3rd Earl of Salisbury because of his wife's title. It is said that King Richard I, William's half-brother, arranged their marriage.

Ela and William had at least eight or nine children together. Some of their notable children include:

• William II Longespée (born around 1209, died 1250). He was a knight who fought in the Crusades. He was killed during a battle in Egypt.
• Stephen Longespée (1216–1260). He held important government jobs in France and Ireland.
• Nicholas Longespée. He became a Bishop of Salisbury.
• Ela Longespée. She married two different earls.
• Ida Longespée. She married twice and had several children.

Ela's Life as a Leader and Nun

In 1225, Ela's husband, William, was in a shipwreck off the coast of France. He spent several months recovering before returning to England. He sadly died in 1226 at Salisbury Castle.

After William's death, Ela took over his important role as Sheriff of Wiltshire. She held this position for two years. She never married again. Some historians believe she chose not to remarry so that her eldest son could inherit the Earl title directly.

In 1229, three years after her husband's death, Ela founded Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. It was a special place for nuns of the Augustinian order. In 1238, she gave up her rights to the county of Wiltshire. She then joined Lacock Abbey as a nun herself.

In 1240, Ela was chosen to be the Abbess of Lacock, which means she was the head of the abbey. She held this important role until 1257. During her time as abbess, Ela worked hard to gain many rights and benefits for the abbey and the nearby village of Lacock. She stepped down from her role as abbess in 1243 due to her age and health.

Ela passed away on 24 August 1261 and was buried at Lacock Abbey. The words on her tombstone, written in Latin, say: "Below lie buried the bones of the venerable Ela, who gave this sacred house as a home for the nuns. She also had lived here as holy abbess and Countess of Salisbury, full of good works."

Ela is remembered as one of the most powerful and influential women of the mid-13th century in England.

Images for kids

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  Lacock Abbey, founded in 1229 by Ela, Countess of Salisbury

See also

In Spanish: Ela de Salisbury para niños