Margaret Audley, 2nd Baroness Audley facts for kids

Margaret de Audley was an important English noblewoman who lived in the 1300s. She was born around 1318 and passed away on September 7, 1349. Margaret held special titles in her own right, meaning she inherited them directly. She was the 2nd Baroness Audley and also the Countess of Stafford.

Margaret was the only daughter of Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester. Her mother was Lady Margaret de Clare. This made Margaret de Audley a great-granddaughter of King Edward I. King Edward I was a famous English king. Margaret inherited her father's title, Baroness Audley, on November 10, 1347.

Margaret's Marriage and Family

Margaret de Audley married Ralph, Lord Stafford. Ralph was a powerful nobleman who helped King Edward III become king. Margaret was very wealthy, much richer than Ralph at the time. Her family was initially unhappy about the marriage.

However, King Edward III supported Ralph Stafford. To make Margaret's parents happy, the King gave her father, Hugh de Audley, a new important title. He became the 1st Earl of Gloucester. Margaret and Ralph married before July 6, 1336.

Margaret's Children

Margaret and Ralph had a large family together. They had two sons and four daughters. Their children grew up to marry into other important noble families.

• Sir Ralph de Stafford (died 1347): He married Maud of Lancaster in 1344.
• Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford (born around 1336): He was born in Staffordshire, England. Hugh married Philippa de Beauchamp. Their family line later included the Dukes of Buckingham.
• Elizabeth de Stafford (born around 1340): She was also born in Staffordshire. Elizabeth married three times. Her husbands were Fulk le Strange, John de Ferrers, 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, and Reginald de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham.
• Beatrice de Stafford (born around 1341): She was born in Staffordshire and lived until 1415. Beatrice married three times. Her husbands were Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Desmond, Thomas de Ros, 4th Baron de Ros, and Sir Richard Burley.
• Joan de Stafford (born 1344): She was born in Staffordshire and died in 1397. Joan married twice. Her husbands were John Charleton, 3rd Baron Cherleton and Gilbert Talbot, 3rd Baron Talbot.
• Katherine de Stafford (born around 1348): She died in December 1361. Katherine married Sir John de Sutton III in 1357. They were the parents of Sir John Sutton IV.