Ralph de Monthermer, 1st Baron Monthermer

c. 1270 – 5 April 1325

House: Monthermer, Clare

Titles: 1st Baron Monthermer, Earl of Gloucester, Earl of Hertford, Earl of Atholl

Ralph de Monthermer, 1st Baron Monthermer, was an English nobleman of unknown parentage born in Wales. He served as a squire to Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, and Joan of Acre, Edward I’s daughter. After Gilbert’s death, Joan and Monthermer married secretly in January 1297. Upon discovery, King Edward I imprisoned Monthermer but released him in August 1297, after which Monthermer was recognized as Earl of Gloucester and Hertford by right of his wife. He participated in the Wars of Scottish Independence, including the Battle of Falkirk and the siege of Caerlaverock. He was summoned to several parliaments and military councils, served as a warden in Scotland, and was appointed keeper of Cardiff Castle. Monthermer married Isabel le Despencer secretly around 1313. He died in or before 1325.

Notable events

Before 1296
Served as a squire to Gilbert de Clare and Joan of Acre
January 1297
Secretly married Joan of Acre
April 1297
Imprisoned at Bristol by King Edward I
August 1297
Released from prison and recognized as Earl of Gloucester and Hertford
July 1298
Fought at the Battle of Falkirk
1300
Fought at the siege of Caerlaverock
1301-1306
Summoned to parliament and military service against Scotland
1307
Wife Joan died; lost earldoms but was summoned to parliament as Lord Monthermer
1313
Secretly married Isabel le Despencer
1319
Pardoned for second secret marriage

Other details

Death: Ralph de Monthermer died around the age of 55; circumstances of death are not specified.

Children: 2 sons and 2 daughters with Joan

Marriages: First wife was Joan of Acre, daughter of King Edward I; second wife was Isabel le Despencer, widow of Lord Hastings.

Sources

Compiled from various 3rd hand sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/