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- [S6040] FindAGrave Old World, Sibyl Neufmarche FitzWalter 1100-1142.
Countess of Hereford, Lady of Brecknock
Noblewoman and daughter of Marcher Norman Lord Bernard de Neufmarche and Nest verch Osbern. Granddaughter of Osbern FitzRichard and Nest verch Gruffydd, Gruffydd Llywelyn, the King of Wales and Ealdgyth of Mercia, Queen Consort of England, all historically famous people. Sibyl was the heiress to one of the most substantial families and fiefdoms in the Welsh marches and was connected to the nobility of England and Normandy.
Sibyl would marry Miles FitzWalter, 1st Earl of Hereford and Lord of Brecknock, Constable of England and the son of Walter of Gloucester, the Sheriff of Gloucester and Emma de Batedon. The were married in the spring of 1121 and had the following children:
* Margaret, wife of Humphrey II de Bohun
* Bertha of Hereford, wife of William de Braose
* Roger FitzMiles, Earl, died 1155
* Walter de Hereford, died on a crusade
* Henry FitzMiles, died c 1162
* William of Hereford
* Mahel, died from a falling stone at Bronllys Castle
* Lucy, wife of Herbert FitzHerbert
Sibyl was born about 1100 in Brecon Castle, Brecon Wales. Her marriage was arranged personally by King Henry in 1121, and Sibyl brought her family's holdings as maritagium. The marriage was key to the King's plans of consolidating Anglo-Norman power in south-east Wales. After Sibyl's older brother Philip died at a young age, Sibyl's mother swore to King Henry her other son, Mahel, was not fathered by Sibyl's father, resulting in Sibyl to inherit everything; a vast dynasty for the time and for a woman. There is a great deal of debate regarding the reasoning and the motives of all those involved. King Henry's specific description of the dowry, dated 10 April/29 May 1121, survives today. Their alliance transformed Wales, merged their territories into one powerful honour of south Wales, and progressed Miles's career.
When Miles was killed in a hunting accident in 1143, Sibyl retired to a secular life at the Llanthony Priory her husband had founded in 1136, died and was buried there after 1143. Both her exact death and burial dates remain unknown.
After the death of her son, Roger, King John gave the Earldom of Hereford to Henry de Bohun, the son of Sibyl's daughter, Margaret. Her daughters would retain the honours and become the richest families in the Welsh Marches. The Brecknock lordship would pass from Bertha to Eleanor de Braose's son, Humphrey de Bohun.
Sibyl's descendants include the Beauchamps, Mohuns, FitzAlans, de Burghs, de Lacy's, Bonvilles, de Bohuns, as well as English kings Edward IV and Richard III, Henry VIII and Elizabeth II.
Bio by Anne Shurtleff Stevens
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69082056/sibyl-fitz_walter
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1096 - Aft 1143 (> 48 years)
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