Richard fits Gilbert de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke (c. 1130-1176) - known as Strongbow, was an Anglo-Norman lord, notable in supporting Henry II of England in Ireland.

He was the son of Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Isabel de Beaumont. His father died when he was about 18 years old, and he inherited the title, but not at that stage his father's lands in the Welsh marches.

When Diarmuid MacMorrough, king of Leinster, sought help from Henry II to regain his kingdom, he was pointed in the direction of Richard de Clare and other marcher barons and knights, together with Welsh archers (hence the name "Strongbow"). This army took Wexford, Waterford and Dublin in 1169 and 1170, and Strongbow married MacMorrough's daughter Aoife (Eve). When MacMorrough died, Strongbow claimed the kingship of Leinster in right of his wife. Henry II was concerned about his barons' new lands in Ireland and summoned him back to England in 1171, to extract their fealty and to prepare for his own invasion of Ireland that year to create the lordship of Ireland. In 1173, Henry's sons rose against him in Normandy; Strongbow's support for Henry led to him being made Henry's governor of Ireland.

Strongbow died of an infection in 1176 during a rebellion by the Irish and was buried in Dublin - his tomb can be viewed in Christ Church Cathedral. He left a young son Gilbert who died in 1185 while still a minor, and a daughter Isabel. Henry II promised Isabel in marriage to William Marshal together with he father's lands and title.