Isabella of Gloucester and Hertford facts for kids

Isabella de Clare (born November 2, 1226 – died July 10, 1264) was an important noblewoman in medieval England. She was the daughter of Gilbert de Clare, 4th Earl of Hertford and 5th Earl of Gloucester and Isabel Marshal. Sometimes she is called Isabel de Clare, but many women in her family shared this name.

Isabella's Family Background

Isabella came from two very important families. Her mother's parents were William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke. Her father's parents were Richard de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford and Amice FitzRobert.

Isabella was the fourth of six children. Her brother was Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Hertford. Her sister, Amice de Clare, married Baldwin de Redvers, 6th Earl of Devon. Amice was the mother of Baldwin de Redvers, 7th Earl of Devon and Isabella de Fortibus, Countess of Devon.

Her Marriage and Children

Isabella married Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale on May 12, 1240. She was about thirteen and a half years old. Isabella brought land in Ripe, Sussex, to her husband.

Her husband, Robert de Brus, was a very important person. He hoped to become the King of Scotland. This was after the young queen, Margaret, Maid of Norway, died. However, Robert did not become king. Instead, John Balliol was chosen as King of Scotland in 1292.

Isabella and Robert had several children together. They had up to six children, including:

• Robert (1243–1304)
• William
• Bernard
• Richard (died before 1287)
• Isabella (1249 – around 1284)

Isabella died in 1264 when she was thirty-seven years old. She did not live to see a very important event. Her grandson, Robert the Bruce, later became the famous King of Scotland. John Balliol's time as king did not last long, and Robert the Bruce became king in 1306.

After Isabella's death, her husband Robert married again to Christina de Ireby. They did not have any children together.