| House of Clare | |
|---|---|
| Noble House | |
 | |
| Parent house | House of Normandy |
| Country | England
|
| Founder | Richard fitz Gilbert |
| Titles | Various |
| Style(s) | Earls, Barons, and Knights |
| Estate(s) | Various Earldoms, Baronies and over 190 Manorial Lordships |
The House of Clare was a prominent Anglo-Norman noble house that ruled the Earldoms of Pembroke, Hertford and Gloucester in England and Wales throughout its history, playing a prominent role in the Norman invasion of Ireland.
They were descended from Richard Fitz Gilbert, Lord of Clare (1035-1090), a kinsman of William the Conqueror who accompanied him into England during the Norman conquest of England. As a reward for his service, Richard was given lands in Suffolk centred on the village of Clare. As a result, Richard and his descendants carried the name of 'de Clare' or 'of Clare'.
The de Clares ranked among the greatest baronial houses of the early Middle Ages and were the proprietors of the monumental Caerphilly Castle, Pembroke Castle, Castell Coch, and over 190 manors in England.[1][2]
- ^ Queen Mary, University of London, The estates of the Clare Family 1066-1317. Ward, Jennifer Clare
- ^ Page, W. (1927) Parishes: Chilton. A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 4. Ed. London, England: Victoria County History.