This week’s story takes us to Clifford in the north of Herefordshire. There we find political intrigue, blaggards and a kidnapped heiress.
Those of you who enjoy history will already be familiar with one Walter de Clifford, a Marcher Baron. The very person that the King of England relied upon to protect his country from incursions from the Welsh. Walter longed to father an heir to his baronetcy to Clifford Castle and his many other estates. After eight long years of waiting his second wife Margaret gave birth to a child. It was not the boy that Walter had hoped for but a bonny daughter who they named Matilda.
It was common knowledge that Walter de Clifford had loyalties in both the English and Welsh factions. He was on good terms not only with Henry III the King of England but also Llewellyn the Prince of Wales who just so happened to be Margaret’s father and now Matilda’s grandfather. As Matilda grew she spent a considerable amount of time with Llewellyn getting to understand her Welsh roots. But her English ancestry and connection to the royal family called too. Her ancestor Rosamond Clifford had had a famous romance with Henry II. Referred to as ‘Rose of the World’ she had born Henry two illegitimate sons.
It seemed that Matilda’s destiny was sealed when at six years of age her father received a request from the King of England stating that Matilda was to be married to William Longespee, a descendant of Rosamund and half cousin of the King.
Walter de Clifford who was known to be a hot tempered and cantankerous man was not best pleased with this arrangement and when some years later the final request came from the King to contract the marriage a strange thing happened. When the King’s messenger arrived at the castle Walter forced the poor chap to eat the entire document including the seal. The King saw this as a ‘violent and disgraceful’ act and Walter just about escaped with his life although he was forced to pay severe penalties and banished to his estates for the rest of his life.
As decreed Matilda married William and life went on.
Shortly after their first child was born William lost his life in a tournament, leaving Matilda to become sole heiress to both William’s and the Clifford estates.
Matilda the rich widow drew a lot of interest, so much so that Henry III began matching her with another of his cousins. However before the King had had a chance to get things in motion Sir John Giffard of Brimpsfield, who had a reputation for being a vile and abusive man abducted Matilda forcing her into marriage.
Before long Matilda managed to get a letter to King Henry informing him that she had been abducted and was being kept against her will. Sir John was summoned to appear before the King, whilst all the time protesting his innocence and denying the charges. He advised that Matilda had consented to the union but conceded that he had married her without the King’s permission and offered to pay a fine.
The King being suspicious of Sir John requested that Matilda should appear in person before him and speak to her letter of complaint with the caviate that if she could prove her case Sir John would stand trial. However on two occasions it was reported that Matilda was too ill to attend court. Despite his concerns that Matilda may still be under duress the King never did resolve the matter or hear from Matilda again. However in light of the circumstances Sir John was not granted rights to the Clifford or Longespee estates, these reverted back to Matilda and William’s daughter.
It just so happened that Matilda died in the very same year as her Welsh grandfather Lewellyn. After years of relative peace, trouble flared up between the King of England and Llewellyn the Price of Wales. A force led by Matilda’s brutal husband Sir John Giffard cornered the Prince on the bridge over the river Irvon. There he was attacked, beheaded and his body dragged to a crossroad junction to be buried. The King had requested his head which was duly dispatched to London.
Matilda’s grief knew no bounds and it was said that she lost all spirit to carry on and died some time later in that year.
What an extraordinary story. Politics, divided loyalties, greed and power. Where have we heard that before?
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