Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke
Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke was the third son of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke, the daughter of Richard de Clare. He was a friend and ally of Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall.
Gilbert acceded to the title of Earl of Pembroke and Lord Marshal on 11 June 1234, on the death of his elder brother Richard who had died childless.
Gilbert was married on 1 August 1235 in Berwick-upon-Tweed to Marjorie, daughter of King William of Scotland. Their marriage was childless.
By an unknown mistress he had one illegitimate daughter, Isabel, who was betrothed to Rhys ap Maelgwn Fychan. In the late 1230s, Maelgwn Fychan agreed a treaty with Gilbert, whereby Maelgwn Fychan's son, Rhys, would marry Isabel, and receive the cantref of Is-Aeron, except the commote of Is-Hirwen ; in return Maelgwn Fychan and Rhys would become vassals of Gilbert.
Gilbert captured Castell Meredydd from Morgan ap Hywel in 1236 during a truce between Llywelyn the Great and King Henry III of England.
After Marshal took the castle he seems to have fortified it with a bailey and curtain wall.
He was forced to return it to Morgan by the terms of the truce, or "for fear of the lord Llywelyn".
He was accidentally killed on 27 June 1241 while in a tournament at Ware, which King Henry III had expressly forbidden, as he did not want any of his subjects killing one another in sport. Gilbert was thrown from his horse and his foot was caught in the stirrup, thus he was dragged for some distance on the ground and died from the injuries received. He was buried at Temple Church next to his father. His title was passed to his younger brother Walter a year after his death. Walter was not immediately confirmed as Earl of Pembroke and Lord Marshal due to the King's anger at Walter's disobedience of royal orders, as he had also attended the tournament.
