That year, Patrick married his sister, Sibyl, to John fitzGilbert the Marshal, who had been a local rival of his, and transferred his allegiance from King Stephen to the Empress Matilda.
This political move gained him his earldom, and the friendship of John the Marshal.
Patrick's nephew, William Marshal, would go on to become regent of England during the minority of Henry III.
Ela was widow of William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey.
[2] He was killed at Poitiers, France on 27 March 1168 in an ambush by forces of Guy of Lusignan.