What is margaret de clare?

Margaret de Clare (1293-1342) was an English noblewoman and member of the powerful de Clare family. She was the granddaughter of King Edward I and married Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester, in 1317. The marriage was seen as a political alliance between the de Clare and Audley families, as well as a way for King Edward II to reduce tensions between them.

Margaret and Hugh had five children, including their son Hugh de Audley, 2nd Earl of Gloucester. Margaret was known for her piety and charitable works, particularly in the support of the Franciscan and Dominican Friars. She also founded a hospital in Gloucester, which provided care for the poor and sick.

After her husband's death in 1347, Margaret retired to a convent in London. She died in 1342 and was buried at Tewkesbury Abbey. Her descendants include several notable figures in English history, including the Earl of Suffolk, Queen Elizabeth II, and the American actress Olivia de Havilland.