The New Murrey and Blue blog

“Elizabeth de Clare was born on this day, 16th September 1295, the granddaughter of King Edward I. The 11th Lady of Clare, she was the heiress to the lordships of Clare in England and Usk in Wales.”

So starts this article about a very remarkable lady, also known as Elizabeth de Burgh, who took on Edward II and the Despensers, became caught up in the rebellion of Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer, and survived it all! She was married three times, and elected not to take a fourth husband.

My interest in her commenced when I learned of the large residence she built in the London Abbey of the Minoresses of St. Clare without Aldgate, known generally as The Minories Abbey. She lived there in considerable style, with around 200 attendants.

Many rich and royal widows went there to live to be safe from abductions and forced marriage etc. They wanted a quiet life without an unwanted husband, and the Minories provided it. Not that they were 100% secure in such religious establishment, because a widowed lady, Joan Bridges, was abducted from Romsey Abbey and forced into marriage by one Sir John Sandys. I believe he was only lowly John Sandys at the time but he profited very nicely indeed, thank you very much.

You can read more about Elizabeth here and here.

There is an excellent book about her, Elizabeth de Burgh, Lady of Clare (1295-1360) which details her household and other records. When I purchased it in 2020 I paid £14.50, but it now goes for at least £60 on Amazon!