Biography of Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury 1187-1261

Before 1187 [her father] William of Salisbury 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 37) and [her mother] Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury (age 28) were married. She by marriage Countess Salisbury. He the son of [her grandfather] Patrick of Salisbury 1st Earl Salisbury and [her grandmother] Adela Montgomery Countess of Salisbury and Surrey.

In 1187 Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury was born to William of Salisbury 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 37) and Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury (age 29) in Amesbury, Wiltshire [Map].

In 1196 William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 20) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 9) were married. He by marriage Earl Salisbury. She the daughter of William of Salisbury 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 46) and Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury (age 38). He the illegitmate son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 40).

In 1196 [her father] William of Salisbury 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 46) died. His daughter Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 9) succeeded 3rd Countess Salisbury.

In Oct 1196 Raymond Rouerge Marquess Provence (age 39) and [her sister-in-law] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 31) were married at Rouen, France [Map]. She by marriage Countess Toulose. She the daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 74). He the son of Raymond Rouerge V Count Toulose and Constance Capet Countess Boulogne and Toulose. They were third cousin once removed.

Before 06 Apr 1199 [her brother-in-law] King John "Lackland" of England (age 32) and Isabella Fitzrobert 3rd Countess Gloucester and Essex (age 26) marriage annulled due to consanuinity but more likely because John's new status as heir to the English throne mean't he had better prospects. He may have already decided to marry Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England (age 11) who he married on 24 Aug 1200.

                    On 06 Apr 1199 [her brother-in-law] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 41) was besieging Châlus Chabrol Castle, Domfront. During the course of the evening King Richard "Lionheart" I of England was shot by a crossbow. The wound quickly became gangrenous; Richard died in the arms of his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 77). His brother [her brother-in-law] King John "Lackland" of England (age 32) succeeded I King England.
                
                    There was a brother between Richard and John named Geoffrey Duke of Brittany who had a son Arthur (age 12), who was around twelve, and a daughter Eleanor (age 15), who was around fifteen, whose mother was Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 38).
                
                    King Philip II of France (age 33) had planned for Eleanor to marry his son, probably to bring Brittany into the French Royal family, possibly to pursue a claim on England.
                
                    King Philip II of France supported Arthur's claim to the English throne. In the resulting war Arthur was captured, imprisoned and never seen again. Eleanor was captured, probably around the same time as Arthur, and imprisoned, more or less, for the remainder of her life, even after King John's death through the reign of King Henry III since she represented a threat to Henry's succession.

On 27 May 1199 [her brother-in-law] King John "Lackland" of England (age 32) was crowned I King England by Archbishop Hubert Walter (age 39) at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Bishop Herbert Poore attended.

On 04 Sep 1199 [her sister-in-law] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 33) died at Rouen, France [Map]. She was buried at Fontevraud Abbey [Map].

On 24 Aug 1200 [her brother-in-law] King John "Lackland" of England (age 33) and Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England (age 12) were married. She had been engaged to Hugh Lusignan IX Count Lusignan (age 37) who subsequently appealed to King Philip II of France (age 35), their feudal overlord, who used the position to justify a war against John. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême (age 40) and Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 78).

Around Dec 1206 [her brother-in-law] Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk (age 24) and Maud Marshal Countess Norfolk and Surrey (age 12) were married. She the daughter of William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke (age 60) and Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke (age 34). He the son of Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 62) and [her mother-in-law] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 50). They were third cousins.

Around 1207 [her daughter] Ida Longespée was born to [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 31) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 20) at Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 08 Dec 1207 [her son] William Longespée was born to [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 31) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 20). He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 31 Oct 1214 [her sister-in-law] Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile (age 53) died at Burgos [Map]. She was buried at Abbey of Santa Maria la Real de Huelgas [Map].

Around 1216 [her son] Stephen Longespée was born to [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 40) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 29) at Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

                    On 19 Oct 1216 [her brother-in-law] King John "Lackland" of England (age 49) died at Newark Castle, Nottinghamshire [Map]. His son King Henry III of England (age 9) succeeded III King England.
                
                    John Monmouth (age 34) was present.
                
                    On his deathbed, John appointed a council of thirteen executors to help Henry reclaim the kingdom and requested that his son be placed into the guardianship of William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke (age 70).
                
                    King John's will is the earliest English royal will to survive in its original form. The document is quite small, roughly the size of a postcard and the seals of those who were present at the time would have been attached to it. Translation of the will taken from an article by Professor S.D. Church in the English Historical Review, June 2010:
                
                    I, John, by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, count of Anjou, hindered by grave infirmity and not being able at this time of my infirmity to itemize all my things so that I may make a testament, commit the arbitration and administration of my testament to the trust and to the legitimate administration of my faithful men whose names are written below, without whose counsel, even in good health, I would have by no means arranged my testament in their presence, so that what they will faithfully arrange and determine concerning my things as much as in making satisfaction to God and to holy Church for damages and injuries done to them as in sending succour to the land of Jerusalem and in providing support to my sons towards obtaining and defending their inheritance and in making reward to those who have served us faithfully and in making distribution to the poor and to religious houses for the salvation of my soul, be right and sure. I ask, furthermore, that whoever shall give them counsel and assistance in the arranging of my testament shall receive the grace and favour of God. Whoever shall infringe their arrangement and disposition, may he incur the curse and indignation of almighty God and the blessed Mary and all the saints.
                
                    In the first place, therefore, I desire that my body be buried in the church of St Mary and St Wulfstan at Worcester. I appoint, moreover, the following arbiters and administrators: the lord Guala, by the grace of God, cardinal-priest of the title of St Martin and legate of the apostolic see; the lord Peter bishop of Winchester; the lord Richard bishop of Chichester; the lord Silvester bishop of Worcester; Brother Aimery de St-Maur; William Marshal earl of Pembroke; Ranulf earl of Chester; William earl Ferrers; William Brewer; Walter de Lacy and John of Monmouth; Savaric de Mauléon; Falkes de Bréauté.
                
                    The signatories were:
                
                    Guala Bicchieri (ca 1150 - 1227) Papal Legate.
                
                    Bishop Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester.
                
                    Richard le Poer (? - 1237), Bishop of Chichester.
                
                    Sylvester of Worcester, Bishop of Worcester.
                
                    Aimery de St-Maur (? -?1219), Master of the English Templars.
                
                    William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke.
                
                    Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln (age 46).
                
                    William Ferrers 4th Earl of Derby (age 48).
                
                    William Brewer (? - 1226), 1st Baron Brewer.
                
                    Walter de Lacy (ca 1172-1241) Lord of Meath.
                
                    John: (1182 - 1248) Lord of Monmouth.
                
                    Savaric de Mauléon (? - 1236) Seneschal of Poitou from 1205.
                
                    Falkes de Bréauté (? - 1226) Seneschal of Cardiff Castle.

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Before 1220 [her son-in-law] William Beauchamp (age 35) and [her daughter] Ida Longespée (age 12) were married. The difference in their ages was 22 years. She the daughter of [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 43) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 32). She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1221 Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 77) died. His son [her brother-in-law] Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk (age 39) succeeded 3rd Earl Norfolk. Maud Marshal Countess Norfolk and Surrey (age 27) by marriage Countess Norfolk.

Around 1222 [her daughter] Ida II Longespée was born to [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 46) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 35) at Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 18 Feb 1225 [her brother-in-law] Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk (age 43) died. His son Roger Bigod 4th Earl Norfolk (age 16) succeeded 4th Earl Norfolk.

In 1226 [her son-in-law] William Vesci and [her daughter] Isabella Longespée were married. She the daughter of [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 50) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 39). She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 07 Mar 1226 [her husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury (age 50) was fatally poisoned by Hubert de Burgh Count Mortain 1st Earl Kent (age 56) at Old Sarum [Map]. Salisbury Cathedral [Map].

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In 1229 Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 42) founded Lacock Abbey [Map] as a nunnery of the Augustinian order.

On 23 Dec 1230 Berengaria of Navarre Queen Consort England (age 65) died. She the widow of [her former brother-in-law] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England who she had married in 1191 in Cyprus whilst he was on Crusade. She had been brought to Cyprus by his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England who was near seventy at the time. Their marriage started with his taking Jerusalem then being captured and held hostage for three years. There were no children of the marriage. She is believed to have never set foot in England. She didn't marry again.

On 12 Aug 1233 [her mother] Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury (age 75) died in Westcott, Dorking, Surrey.

In 1240 Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 53) was appointed Abbot Lacock.

Before 08 Oct 1240 [her son] William Longespée (age 32) and [her daughter-in-law] Idoine Camville (age 31) were married. He the son of [her former husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 53). He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

Around 1242 [her son] Stephen Longespée (age 26) and [her daughter-in-law] Emmeline Riddlesford (age 19) were married. He the son of [her former husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 55). He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

Before 26 Jun 1242 [her son-in-law] Thomas Beaumont 6th Earl Warwick (age 34) and [her daughter] Ela Longespee Countess Warwick were married. She the daughter of [her former husband] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 55). He the son of Henry Beaumont 5th Earl Warwick and Philipa Basset Countess Warwick. They were half third cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1243 Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 56) resigned as Abbot Lacock due to ill health.

On 24 Aug 1261 Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 74) died. She was buried in Lacock Abbey [Map]. Her inscription reads ... Below lie buried the bones of the venerable Ela, who gave this sacred house as a home for the nuns. She also had lived here as holy abbess and Countess of Salisbury, full of good works. Her great granddaughter [her great granddaughter] Margaret Longespée 4th Countess of Salisbury and Lincoln succeeded 4th Countess Salisbury.

Effigy of William Longespee. [her former husband] WILLIAM Longespee was the bastard son of Henry the Second by the celebrated Rosamund de Clifford [Note. William is now believed to be the son of [her former mother-in-law] Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk; a charter William made that mentions "Comitissa Ida, mater mea" (Countess Ida, my mother)]. His half-brother, [her former brother-in-law] Richard the First, gave him in marriage Ela, daughter and inheritrix of [her father] William Earl of Salisbury. He bore a conspicuous part in the domestic divisions in the reign of [her former brother-in-law] King John, whose general he was against the rebellious Barons in 1215, but in the following year went over to the party of Louis the son of the French king. On the death of John he abandoned the cause of Louis, did homage to the young King Henry the Third, and united with William Mareschal, the spirited Earl of Pembroke, then Regent, in raising the siege of Lincoln. In 1219 he was with other English noblemen at the siege of Damietta, which place was vigorously defended by the Saracens, and the capture of which cost the Christian forces very dear. In 1224 he went over into Gascony with Richard Earl of Cornwall, to subdue certain towns and castles to obedience to King Henry their Lord. Returning in the following year they were over-taken at sea by a violent tempest; after beating about for many nights and days they were carried far out of their course; and, giving themselves up for lost, committed all their treasure and rich garments to the deep. While they remained in darkness and despair, on a sudden the whole vessel was illuminated by the brilliant flame of a huge wax taper, which appeared on the prow, and by it a damsel of exceeding beauty, who protected the light with her garment from the force of the wind and rain. While the crew were lost in wonder at this miraculous nocturnal vision, the Earl of Salisbury proclaimed that their thanks were due to the Blessed Virgin for this merciful interposition, at whose shrine, on the day of his knighthood, he had offered a taper to be kept constantly burning on the daily celebration of the offices to her honour. The courage of the dispirited crew revived, and the following morning they made the Isle of Rhé, near Rochelle. Salisbury was speedily obliged to put to sea again, being informed of the design of the Lord of the place to make him prisoner. He braved the adverse elements for three months longer before he reached England. Such is the relation of Matthew Paris. His long absence gave occasion to a current report that he was lost at sea, and Hubert de Burgh, Justiciary of England, solicited to be allowed to match a kinsman of his, one Raymond, who had a claim to the Earldom of Salisbury, with his rich widow, but she, like another Penelope, rejected this suitor. At length the Earl landed unexpectedly in Cornwall, and demanded satisfaction of the King against Hubert, whose relative had assailed the honour of his wife. Hubert made submissive reparation by presents, but is reported to have taken the Earl off by poison, administered to him at a feast to which he had invited him in simulated reconciliation.

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Chronica Majora. About the same time, Earl Richard, the king's brother, Earl G. Marshal, John, earl of Chester and Lincoln, the earl of Salisbury [Note. Unclear as to who this is referring since the last Earl of Salisbury William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury died in 1226 and his wife Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury, de jure Earl of Salisbury, remained unmarried], G. de Lucy, his brother, Richard Seward, and many other nobles, assumed the cross. Earl Rchard at once ordered his woods to be cut down and sold, and endeavoured by all the means in his power to raise money to sustain his pilgrimage. Not long afterwards, by means of Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester, and (as was reported) Peter de Eivaulx, Richard Seward unjustly incurred the king's anger, and was taken and imprisoned; but was soon afterwards released with the same ease.

[her son] Richard Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[her daughter] Ela Longespee Countess Warwick was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[her daughter] Mary Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[her daughter] Pernel Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[her son] Bishop Nicholas Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

[her daughter] Isabella Longespée was born to William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

Royal Ancestors of Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury 1187-1261

Royal Descendants of Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury 1187-1261

Ancestors of Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury 1187-1261