John Giffard

John Giffard (1232–1299), baron Giffard of Brimsfield, was an English nobleman prominent in the Second Barons' War and in Wales. His initial gift of land in Oxford led to the foundation of Gloucester College, Oxford.

Involvement in military actions
With others of Simon de Montfort's party he in 1263 besieged the sheriff of Gloucester in Gloucester Castle. Also in that year he with others abducted Peter of Aigueblanche, the Bishop of Hereford, confining him to Eardisley Castle.

In 1264 he controlled Kenilworth Castle, and successfully attacked Warwick Castle, occupied by William Maudit, 8th Earl of Warwick. Captured at the Battle of Lewes, he changed sides, and fought for Henry III at the Battle of Evesham.

He was subsequently a staunch king's man, for Henry and Edward I of England. He fought at the decisive Battle of Orewin Bridge (1282). Edward granted him Welsh castles, including Carreg Cennen.

Family
He was the son of Elias Giffard IV of Brimpsfield, Gloucestershire and his second wife, Alice, sister of Sir John Mautravers, of Lytchet Matravers, Dorset. He married Maud de Clifford, daughter of Sir Walter de Clifford, of Clifford, Hertfordshire and widow of William III Longespée. Their son John (1287–1322) was executed by Edward II as a rebel, and Brimpsfield Castle was destroyed. Their daughter Katherine married Nicholas Audley, 3rd Baron Audley. Their daughter Eleanor married Fulk le Strange, 1st Baron Strange. John married secondly, in 1286, Margaret, widow of Sir John de Neville, of Hallingbury, Essex.