Clare, Basilia de

Clare, Basilia de (fl. 1173–1201), noblewoman, was a sister of Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare (qv), earl of Striguil, better known as Strongbow. Basilia first comes to notice in 1173, when her hand in marriage was sought by Raymond fitz William (qv) (Raymond le Gros). On being refused both Basilia's hand and the vacant constableship of Leinster, Raymond departed for Wales. The following year he was recalled and both his requests granted when Strongbow's troops in the marchlands, under severe pressure from the Irish, demanded his reinstatement. Basilia, who was apparently by this time at Dublin, came to Wexford for her marriage to Raymond, as soon as he had retaken the town. As her marriage portion, she was given the cantred of Fotherd, the name of which is preserved in the barony of Forth, Co. Carlow. In June 1176, by means of a coded message, Basilia communicated news of her brother's death to Raymond, then in Munster supporting Diarmait Mac Carthaigh (qv), and urged his immediate return to Dublin. Following the death, about 1186, of Raymond, with whom she had no children, Basilia married Geoffrey fitz Robert. On the evidence of some land grants to the Abbey of St Thomas, Dublin, Geoffrey was still living c.1191×1201, and Basilia appears to have survived him.