Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Talbot, Gilbert de
TALBOT, GILBERT de, first Baron Talbot (1277?–1346), was born about 1277, being the eldest son of Richard de Talbot, the lord of certain manors in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. His mother Sarah was a younger daughter of William Beauchamp, earl of Warwick. Talbot took part in Edward I's expedition into Scotland in 1293, and succeeded to his father's lands in 34 Edward I (1305–6). As a tenant of Earl Thomas of Lancaster [q. v.], and as a kinsman, through his mother, of the Earl of Warwick, he was among those who found it necessary to obtain a pardon for their share in the death of Gaveston (Parl. Writs, ii. 68). He took part, as a follower of William de la Zouche, in the expedition against Scotland in 1319. Early in 1322 he was among the barons who were in arms against the Despensers, and attacked and burnt Bridgenorth (ib. ii. 174–5). On Edward II's approach he and the others fled northwards to Thomas, earl of Lancaster (Murimuth, p. 36). He was captured at Boroughbridge on 17 March, but was allowed to purchase his pardon by a fine of 2,000l. and a promise of one tun of wine annually to the king (Parl. Writs, ii. 213). On 10 Oct. he was empowered to pursue and arrest Robert le Ewer and his accomplices in the counties of Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford (ib. ii. 220). As a further condition of his pardon, he was summoned in 1325 to do military service in Guienne (ib. i. 692). After the dethronement of Edward II he appears as chamberlain (23 Aug. 1327, Cal. Pat. Rolls, p. 159), and accompanied Edward III on his voyage to do homage for his French possessions in May 1329 (ib. p. 390). On 23 Oct. 1330 he was appointed justice of South Wales (Cal. Pat. Rolls, p. 10). On 5 Oct. 1333 he was appointed to a like office in the bishopric of St. David (ib. p. 468). He seems to have held the former office until his death, and was on 13 July 1337 appointed captain of the men raised for the wars in South Wales along with Hugh le Despenser (Rymer, II. ii. 985). He was summoned to parliament from the fourth to the eighteenth year of Edward III, and died in 1346. By his wife Anne, daughter of William Boteler, Talbot was father of Richard de Talbot, second baron Talbot [q. v.]
[Dugdale's Baronage of England, 1675, i. 326; Rymer's Fœdera, Record ed.; G. E. C[okayne]'s Complete Peerage; Calendars of the Patent Rolls and the authorities cited in the text.]