Patrick of Salisbury, 1st Earl of Salisbury
Encyclopedia
Patrick of Salisbury, 1st Earl of Salisbury (c. 1122 – 1168) was an Anglo-Norman
nobleman
, and the uncle of the famous William Marshal
.
His parents were Walter of Salisbury and Sibilla de Chaworth. Before 1141, Patrick was constable of Salisbury, a powerful local official but not a nobleman. That year, Patrick married his sister to John fitzGilbert the Marshal
, who had been a local rival of his, and transferred his allegiance from King Stephen
to the Empress Matilda
. This political move gained him his earldom, and the friendship of John the Marshal, who was to send his younger son William to stay with him. It was in his household where the famous Marshal first learned about knighthood.
The Earl of Salisbury also minted his own coins, struck in the county town of Salisbury during the so called "baronial issues" of 1135-1153. Only four examples have survived, three of which are in the Conte collection.
Patrick married twice, his second wife being Ela, daughter of William III Talvas, Duke of Alençon
and Ponthieu
, whom he married in 1149. They had a son, William
in about 1150 and three others, including Walter and Philip.
He was killed at Poitiers
, France on March 27, 1168 in an ambush by forces of Guy of Lusignan
.
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
nobleman
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
, and the uncle of the famous William Marshal
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
.
His parents were Walter of Salisbury and Sibilla de Chaworth. Before 1141, Patrick was constable of Salisbury, a powerful local official but not a nobleman. That year, Patrick married his sister to John fitzGilbert the Marshal
John Marshal (Earl Marshal)
John FitzGilbert the Marshal was a minor Anglo-Norman nobleman during the reign of King Stephen, and fought in the 12th century civil war on the side of the Empress Matilda. Since at least 1130 and probably earlier, he had been the royal marshal to King Henry I...
, who had been a local rival of his, and transferred his allegiance from King Stephen
Stephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
to the Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood...
. This political move gained him his earldom, and the friendship of John the Marshal, who was to send his younger son William to stay with him. It was in his household where the famous Marshal first learned about knighthood.
The Earl of Salisbury also minted his own coins, struck in the county town of Salisbury during the so called "baronial issues" of 1135-1153. Only four examples have survived, three of which are in the Conte collection.
Patrick married twice, his second wife being Ela, daughter of William III Talvas, Duke of Alençon
Alençon
Alençon is a commune in Normandy, France, capital of the Orne department. It is situated west of Paris. Alençon belongs to the intercommunality of Alençon .-History:...
and Ponthieu
Ponthieu
Ponthieu was one of six feudal counties that eventually merged together to become part of the Province of Picardy, in northern France. Its chief town is Abbeville.- History :...
, whom he married in 1149. They had a son, William
William of Salisbury, 2nd Earl of Salisbury
William of Salisbury, 2nd Earl of Salisbury was an Anglo-Norman peer. Though he is generally known as such, his proper title was Earl of Wiltshire, which title was conferred on his father by the Empress Maud around 1143...
in about 1150 and three others, including Walter and Philip.
He was killed at Poitiers
Poitiers
Poitiers is a city on the Clain river in west central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and of the Poitou-Charentes region. The centre is picturesque and its streets are interesting for predominant remains of historical architecture, especially from the Romanesque...
, France on March 27, 1168 in an ambush by forces of Guy of Lusignan
Guy of Lusignan
Guy of Lusignan was a Poitevin knight, son of Hugh VIII of the prominent Lusignan dynasty. He was king of the crusader state of Jerusalem from 1186 to 1192 by right of marriage to Sibylla of Jerusalem, and of Cyprus from 1192 to 1194...
.