Sir Richard Herbert - Herbert Legacy

Herbert Legacy

While the Earl of Pembroke title went to his younger, legitimate half-brother William, Richard realized success through his own merit and his descendants: "Sir Richard Herbert, of Ewyas, who, though illegitimate, is ancestor of the men who have really, in modern times, rendered the name of Herbert illustrious."

In 1465, Richard Herbert was granted Westminster, manors of Grove, Radnore, Mookas, Brutescourt, Throuckeston, Westhide, Egelton, Redehire, Howton and Wormeton Tirell, co. Hereford.

He was successful as a Gentleman Usher to Henry VII and appointed Constable and Porter of Abergavenny Castle on 22 July 1509. While Richard is most frequently titled "Sir Richard Herbert," there is debate as to whether Richard was a knight. Richard Herbert in "The Knights of England" was knighted in 1513, three years after this subject's death. According to Sil, Richard was never knighted, but was an Esquire. Richard is titled Esquire in 1465 when he was granted manors and lands.

In many sources, however, Richard is referred to as "Sir Richard Herbert." An article titled "The Family of Herbert" from The Gentleman's Magazine states that he was knighted by King Henry VIII, in which case Richard would have been knighted in the last year of Richard's life (died 1510) and the first year of Henry VIII's reign, which began in 1509.