Isabel Marshal

Isabel Marshal was a medieval English countess, known for her marriages to Gilbert de Clare, 4th Earl of Hertford and 5th Earl of Gloucester, and Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall. Her first marriage made her a great grandmother of King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. Born at Pembroke Castle, she was the second daughter of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and Isabel de Clare. Isabel’s family connections were significant, with her brothers serving as successive Earls of Pembroke and her sisters marrying into prominent noble families.

Following her first husband’s death, Isabel married Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, becoming the mother of four more children, though three died young. She passed away due to liver failure at the age of 39. Isabel had requested to be buried next to her first husband, but was instead interred at Beaulieu Abbey, with her heart sent to Tewkesbury Abbey in a silver-gilt casket.