Joan de Munchensi facts for kids

Arms of the de Valence Earls of Pembroke

Joan de Munchensy (born around 1230, died 1307) was an important English noblewoman. She was known as the Countess of Pembroke. Joan was the granddaughter of the famous William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and his wife Isabel de Clare. Joan married William de Valence, who was the half-brother of King Henry III.

Her Family Background

William Marshal was a very important leader in England. He was known as the Great Lord Marshal. He worked for five different English Kings. William Marshal died in 1219.

William had five sons, and each of them became the Earl of Pembroke. However, none of his sons had children. Because of this, his family's lands and titles were divided among his daughters. Joan Marshal, who was William's fourth daughter, married Warin de Munchensi. He was the Lord of Swanscombe.

Joan Marshal and Warin had one daughter, also named Joan de Munchensy. This is the Joan de Munchensy our article is about. Sadly, Joan Marshal died soon after her daughter was born. So, young Joan de Munchensy was raised by her stepmother, Dionisie de Munchensi, who was Warin's second wife.

Marriage and Children

In 1247, King Henry III invited three brothers from France to come to England. These brothers were William of Valence, Guy of Lusignan, and Aymer de Valence (bishop). They had faced difficulties in their own lands in France. King Henry III found important roles for all of them in England.

Soon after arriving, William of Valence married Joan de Munchensy. Joan's share of her family's lands included the castle and lordship of Pembroke. She also inherited the lordship of Wexford in Ireland. Her husband, William, was put in charge of managing her properties. It seems that Joan also passed on the title of Earl of Pembroke to him. This made William the first Earl of Pembroke from the de Valence family.

Like many wealthy women in the Middle Ages, Joan was ready to protect her rights. She would even go to court to do so. This was especially true after her husband died, as she no longer had a male relative to act on her behalf. In 1304, she was in court fighting for her right to the lordship of Wexford. She even asked King Edward I directly to help her after she received an unfair decision. The King agreed with her and ordered the court in Ireland to give her back the lordship.

William of Valence died in 1296. William and Joan had several children. Most records say they had five children, but some list seven. Here are their children:

• Isabel de Valence (died 1305). She married John Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings before 1280. Their grandson, Lawrence, later became an Earl of Pembroke.
• Joan de Valence. She married John Comyn, who was known as the "Red Comyn."
• John de Valence (died 1277).
• William de Valence (died 1282). He died in a battle in Wales.
• Aymer de Valence (around 1270 – 1324). He became the Earl of Pembroke and Wexford in 1296. He married twice.
• Margaret de Valence.
• Agnes de Valence (born around 1250). She married three times.