Clifford family

After marrying Margaret de Tosny, Walter Fitz Richard assumed control of the de Tosny Manors and with it control of Clifford Castle. Walter changed his name after succeeding to the property of Clifford and was later known as Walter de Clifford. Walter de Clifford’s eldest daughter was the ‘fair Rosamund’ who was apparently the lover of Henry II. They met when Henry stayed at Clifford Castle during his campaigns in Wales. When Henry had to go away he placed Rosamund in a safe house at the centre of a maze in Woodstock in Oxfordshire.

Walter de Clifford II, Rosamund’s brother, succeeded to Clifford castle in 1221.Walter had been a staunch supporter of King John throughout his reign but later joined with Sir Richard Marshal, Earl of Pembroke is dispute at the favouritism of Henry III. The king as fickle as ever, first confiscated Walter’s estates but later restored them to him in 1234. Walter received license to marry his only daughter Matilda to her cousin William Longspee, who later died in a tournament in 1256. This left Walter without any male heir and his daughter then became the sole heiress.... more

Fair Rosamund - the "Rose of the World"

Painting of Rosamund de Clifford by Arthur Hughes in 1854

• A1. Ponce, lvd:1060;  ==>  Normans
  • B1. Richard FitzPons of Cantref Bychan, m. Maud of Gloucester;
    • C1. Bertha FitzRichard, m. Elias Giffard;  <==  Giffard family
    • C2. Walter I FitzRichard, lvd:1128/1187, m. Margaret de Toeni;
      • D1. Rosamund de Clifford, m. King Henry II Plantagenet;  <==  Plantagenet
      • D2. Walter II de Clifford, lvd:1221, Sheriff of Herefordshire, m. Agnes de Cundi;
        • E1. Walter III de Clifford, m. Margaret of Wales;  ==>  House of Wales
          • F1. Matilda Clifford, m. Sir John Giffard;  <==  Giffard family
        • E2. Roger de Clifford, m. Sibil de Ewyas;
          • F1. Roger de Clifford, m. Isabella de Vieuxpont;
            <=======
  • G1. Robert de Clifford, 1st Lord, d:1314, m. Maud de Clare;  ==>  de Clare family
    • H1. Idiona Clifford, m. Henry de Percy;  <==  Percy family
    • H2. Robert de Clifford, 3rd Lord, lvd:1305/1344, m. Isabel Berkeley;  ==>  Berkeley family
      • I1. Isabella Clifford, m. Sir John de Eure;  <==  Eure family
      • I2. Roger de Clifford, 5th Lord, lvd:1333/1390, m. Maud Beauchamp;  ==>  Beauchamp family
        • J1. Catherine Clifford, m. Ralph de Greystock;  <==  Greystoke family
        • J2. Philippa Clifford, lvd:1405, m. William Ferrers;  <==  Ferrers family
        • J3. Thomas de Clifford, 6th Lord, d:1391, m. Elizabeth de Ros;  ==>  de Ros family
          • K1. John de Clifford, 7th Lord, d:1422, m. Elizabeth Percy;  ==>  Percy family
            • L1. Thomas de Clifford, 8th Lord, lvd:1414/1454, m. Joan Dacre;  ==>  Dacre family
              • M1. Elizabeth Clifford, m. William Plumpton;  <==  Plumpton family