Research Notes:
Complete Peerage states, [1] [2]
Robert de Clifford,(b) s. and h. of Roger de C. (who d. v.p., 6 Nov. 1282),(c) by Isabel, da. and coh. of Robert de Vipont, Hereditary Sheriff of Westmorland (by Isabel, 2nd sister and in her issue coh. of Richard Fitz-John [Lord Fitzjohn]), was b. about Easter 1274, being aged 9 years at Easter 11 Edw. I; suc. his grandfather in 1286, before 3 Apr.;(d) and, in 1291, inherited a moiety of the estates of the great family of Vipont, on the death of his mother (i.e. Brougham Castle, Westmorland, the Hereditary Shrievalty (e) of that county, &c.). He had seisin of his inheritance 3 May 1295, and was, on the death of his great-uncle, Richard Fitzjohn abovenamed, 1297, found one of his coheirs. He served in the wars with Scotland; was Justice in Eyre North of Trent, 1297-1307/8; Gov. of Nottingham Castle, July 1298. He was sum. to Parl. from 29 Dec. (1299) 28 Edw. I to 26 Nov. (1313) 7 Edw. II, by writs directed Roberto de Clifford, whereby he is held to have become Lord Clifford.(f)
(b) The name of this illustrious family is taken from the small village of Clifford, their ancient possession, near Hay, co. Hereford. The ruins of Clifford Castle still (1912) exist.
(c) He was drowned when crossing a bridge of boats near the Menai Straits. He was son of another Roger, a feudal Baron of co. Hereford, and Justice of the Forest South of Trent Aug. 1265. This last named Roger's wife is described on the Fine Rolls as "Comitissa de Lerett," and as "Countess of Lauretania" by Dugdale, who quotes Glover's Collections to the effect that he had married her at "St. George in France in I Edw. I." V.G.
(d) Fine Roll.
(e) In the list of Sheriffs, Michaelmas 1298, the names appear of "Robert de Clifford and Idonea de Leyburn." V.G.
(f) As to how far these early writs of summons did in fact create any peerage title, see Appendix A in the last volume. V.G.He was Capt. Gen. of the Marches of Scotland, 1299; was one of the Barons whose seal was affixed to the celebrated letter to the Pope, in 1301, being therein described as "Castellanus de Appelby" By Edward I he was granted the manor of Skelton, Cumberland, Skipton Castle, co. York, &c; while by Edward II he was made, for a few months in 1307, Marshal of England;(a) Justice South of Trent 1307-07/8; Warden ofthe Scottish marches 1308. He m. Maud, 2nd and yst. da. of Thomas de Clare (2nd s. of Richard, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford), by Julian, da. of Sir Maurice FitzMaurice, Lord Justice of Ireland. He d. 24 June 1314, aged 39, being slain at the battle of Bannockburn,(b) and was (probably) bur. with his mother at Shap Abbey, Westmorland.(c) Writ for Inq. p. m. 28 July (1314) 8 Edw. II. Will pr. 18 Sep. 1314. His widow m., without lic., before 16 Dec. 1315, Robert de Welle [Lord Welle]; she was found to be in 1320-21, 14 Edw. II, h. to her nephew Thomas, only s. and h. of Richard de Clare [Lord Clare].(d) She d. between 4 Mar. 1326/7 and 24 May 1327, when the writ for her Inq. p. m. is dated. He was living 29 Aug. 1326.
(a) For a list of Marshals of England see vol. ii, Appendix D.
(b) For an account of this battle and of the nobles who fell therein see vol. xi, Appendix B.
(c) See a tract entitled Lord Robert de Clifford: where was he buried? by Cornelius Nicholson, 1862. His body was returned by Bruce to England for burial. V.G.
(d) See ante, p. 247, note "c."
[1] George E. Cokayne, Vicary Gibbs, ed., The Complete Peerage of England Scotland Ireland Great Britain, Vol. 3, Canonteign to Cutts (London, St. Catherine Press, 1913), 290-291, with corrections from vol. 14 incorporated, [InternetArchive].
[2] George E. Cokayne, Peter W. Hammond, ed., The Complete Peerage, rev., Vol. 14 Addenda & Corrigenda (London: Sutton, 1998), 188, [FamilySearchBook], [FamilySearchCatalog].