Wallace - Person Sheet
Wallace - Person Sheet
Namede MONTHERMER, Sir Ralph
Birth Date1275
Birth PlaceHerefordshire, England
Death Date5 Apr 1325 Age: 50
Death PlaceEngland
FlagsNobility
Misc. Notes
Ralph was summoned to Parliament as the Earl of Gloucester and Hertford while his step son, Gilbert, was still a minor, to be returned to the boy upon Joan's death. He served with the King's overseas expeditions and against the Scots, fought at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, and was at the siege of Caerlaverock in 1300. He signed the Baron's letter to Pope Boniface in 1301.

In 1306, Ralph warned Robert de Brus who was then at the English courts that Edward had intentions to arrest Robert the following day. His warning was a twelve pence and a pair of spurs, sent as if to repay a loan. Robert understood the hint, he and his squire left for Scotland immediately.

Joan died in childbirth with their fourth, stillborn child 07 April 1307, buried with the babe in the Austin Friars at Clare, Suffolk.

Ralph was again summoned to Parliament in 1309 to 1324 as Raulpho de Monte Hermerii. In 1309, he was granted the manors of Stokenham, Oakford, Pyworthy and Sterte, Devon, and Hunton, Hampshire. He fought at Bannockburn in 1314, but taken prisoner, and released by Robert de Brus without ransom for Ralph's assistance in 1306, but not before entertaining Ralph at his table. Sir Marmaduke Tweng was also captured, entertained and released with Ralph.

In 1315 Ralph was given permission for a pilgrimage to Santiago, Spain. 
Spouses
Birth Date1270
Death Date23 Apr 1307 Age: 37
Death PlaceClare, Sudbury, Suffolk, England
FlagsNobility
Misc. Notes
Ralph was employed in the household of Sir Gilbert de Clare (1243-1295) and Joan of Acre.

When Gilbert died, Ralph and Joan married, which enraged her father, King Edward I, who imprisoned Ralph in Bristol Castle, and Edward seized all of Joan's lands. As per the St Albans chronicler, she told her father, "No one sees anything wrong if a great earl marries a poor and lowly woman. Why should there be anything wrong if a countess marries a young and promising man?" Anthony Bec, the Bishop of Durham helped to end the feud, and her lands were restored to her on 31 July 1297. The king then became very attached to his new son-in-law.
Marr DateJan 1296
Marr MemoMarried in secret
ChildrenThomas (1300-1340)
Last Modified 13 Jun 2016Created 12 Feb 2022 by Robert Avent