_Richard Earl of Chepstow_ (Vol. v., p. 204.).--H. C. K. will find in
the _Conquest of Ireland_, by Giraldus Cambrensis, my authority for
styling Richard Strongbow Earl of Chepstow: _e.g._ Dermod MacMurrough
addresses a letter to him as follows: "Dermon MacMorogh, prince of
Leinster, to Richard earle of Chepstoue, and son of Gilbert the Earle,
greeting," &c. I quote from Hooker's translation, ed. 1587, p. 11.
Hooker, in a note, p. 4., says that Chepstow in times past was named
Strigulia, "whereof Richard Strangbow being earle, he took his name,
being called _Comes_ Strigulensis."
H. C. K.'s _second_ conjecture, as to the parentage given to Earl
Richard in the Ormonde charter, seems to be the correct one. I cannot
call to mind an instance of a second Christian name used at so early a
date.
The first coat given to the De Clares, in Berry's _Encycl._, viz. _ar.
on a chief az. three crosses pattée fichée of the field_, occurs on the
shield of the effigy in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, popularly said
to be that of Richard Earl of Pembroke. Query, does Berry's statement
rest on the authority of that tradition? if so, it has a very sandy
foundation. I have very little doubt that the bearing visible on the
shield, as represented on the earl's seal attached to the charter in
possession of the Earl of Ormonde, is intended to represent _three
chevrons_.
H. C. K. has my best thanks for his communication. I shall be still more
obliged by an extract from the pedigree in his possession.