Patrick, 1st Earl of Salisbury
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 Sybil de Chaworth.[1] Before 1141, Patrick was constable of Salisbury, a powerful local official but not a nobleman. That year, Patrick married his sister, Sybil, 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. Patrick's nephew, William the Marshal would go on to become regent of England during the minority of Henry III. For a time William served as a household knight with Patrick during Patrick's time as governor of Poitou.
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,[2] his second wife being Ela of Ponthieu, daughter of William III Talvas, Duke of Alençon and Ponthieu, whom he married in or before 1152. Ela was widow of William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey (died 19 Jan. 1147/8). Patrick and Ela had four sons, William in about 1150[1], Patrick, Philip, and Walter.[2]
He was killed at Poitiers, France on 27 March 1168 in an ambush by forces of Guy of Lusignan.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Wiltshire County Council – Wiltshire Community History Get Text Image". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- ^ a b "Wiltshire County Council – Wiltshire Community History Get Text Image". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- Barlow, Frank. The Feudal Kingdom of England 1042–1216 Londan: Longman Group Limited, 1961. ISBN 0-582-48237-2