Earl of Surrey facts for kids

Arms of the Warennes of Surrey

An Earl of Surrey is a special noble title in England. It's like being a very important leader or lord. This title has been created five times throughout history. It was first given to William de Warenne in 1088. He was a close friend and helper of William the Conqueror. Today, this title is held by the Dukes of Norfolk as one of their lesser titles.

History of the Earls of Surrey

The title of Earl of Surrey was first created in 1088. It was given to William de Warenne. This was a reward for his loyal help to William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest. William de Warenne received land in Surrey, but he also owned land in many other counties. Because he didn't own much land specifically in Surrey, the earldom was often called of Warenne. The Warenne name came from their family castle, Bellencombre, in Normandy, which was near the Varenne River.

Early Earls: The Warenne Family

The title stayed in William de Warenne's family for a long time. His son and grandson, both named William, held the title next. After them, the title went to the husbands of Isabella, who was the daughter of the third William de Warenne. Her first husband was William of Blois, who was the son of King Stephen of England. Her second husband was Hamelin, who was the half-brother of King Henry II of England. Hamelin even took the "de Warenne" family name. Hamelin and Isabella's son, grandson, and great-great-grandson then held the earldom.

Changing Hands: FitzAlan and Holland

In 1347, the Warenne family line ended. The earldom then passed to Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel, who was a nephew of the last Warenne earl. He officially took the title in 1361. His son also held the title but lost it in 1397.

For a short time, John Holland was made Duke of Surrey. He was a grandson of the first FitzAlan earl of Surrey. He held the title for two years until King Henry IV of England took it away. King Henry IV then gave the earldom back to the FitzAlan family. The last FitzAlan earl died in 1415 without any sons. At this point, the Earldom of Surrey either ended or was put on hold.

Revivals and the Howard Family

The title was brought back a few times in the 1400s. It was given to John de Mowbray in 1451, and then to Richard of Shrewsbury in 1477. Both of them died without children, so the title ended again each time.

In 1483, the title was given to Thomas Howard. He later became the Duke of Norfolk. Since then, the Howard family has held the title of Earl of Surrey. There were some times when they lost their titles, but they were always given back later. The Dukes of Norfolk even include the old Warenne family symbol on their own family crest. The fourth Earl of Surrey from this Howard family also inherited the Earldom of Arundel, bringing the two earldoms together again.

Sandal Castle and Wakefield

William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey was given the Manor of Wakefield by the King. His family, the Earls Warenne, inherited it after he died in 1088. The building of Sandal Castle began in the early 1100s. It was started by William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey around 1107. Sandal Castle became the main stronghold for the manor. Wakefield was a very important center for the Warenne family's large land holdings until the 1300s.

List of Titleholders

Earls of Surrey or Warenne (1088)

Arms of de Warenne: Chequy or and azure

The Warenne Earls were often called Earl de Warenne, as well as Earl of Surrey. They received a special payment called the 'third penny' from Surrey. This meant they got one-third of the money from county court fines.

• William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey (died 1088)
• William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey (died 1138)
• William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey (1119–1148)
• Isabel de Warenne, Countess of Surrey (died 1203)
  • William I, Count of Boulogne, Earl of Surrey (c. 1137–1159), her first husband.
  • Hamelin de Warenne, Earl of Surrey (died 1202), her second husband.
• William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey (died 1240)
• John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey (1231–1304)
• John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey (1286–1347), his grandson.

Arms of FitzAlan: Gules, a lion rampant or

• Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel, 8th Earl of Surrey (1313–1376), his nephew.
• Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel, 9th Earl of Surrey (1346–1397), lost his title in 1397.
• Thomas FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel, 10th Earl of Surrey (1381–1415), title restored in 1400.

Dukes of Surrey (1397)

• Thomas Holland, 1st Duke of Surrey (1374–1400), lost his title in 1399.

Earl of Surrey and Warenne (1451)

• John de Mowbray, 1st Earl of Surrey and Warenne (1444–1476), a nephew of the last FitzAlan earl. He also became the 4th Duke of Norfolk in 1461. The title ended when he died without sons.

Earl of Warenne (1477)

• Richard of Shrewsbury was made Earl of Warenne and Duke of Norfolk in 1477. He was only three years old. He was one of the Princes in the Tower and died there. His titles ended when he died without children.

Earls of Surrey (1483)

• Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Surrey (1443–1524). He lost his title in 1485 but it was given back in 1489. He became Duke of Norfolk in 1514.
• Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, 2nd Earl of Surrey (1473–1554). He lost his title in 1547 but it was given back in 1553.
  • Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–1547), a famous poet. This was a courtesy title, meaning he was expected to inherit it.
• Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, 3rd Earl of Surrey (1536–1572), lost his title in 1572.
  • Philip Howard, 1st Earl of Arundel (1557–1595), was called Earl of Surrey from 1554 to 1572. He inherited the Earldom of Arundel in 1580. He lost all his titles in 1589.
• Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel, 4th Earl of Surrey (1585–1646), title restored in 1604. He was also made Earl of Norfolk in 1644.
• Henry Frederick Howard, 3rd Earl of Arundel, 5th Earl of Surrey (1608–1652).
• Thomas Howard, 5th Duke of Norfolk, 6th Earl of Surrey (1627–1677), became Duke of Norfolk again in 1660.

Since then, the Earldom of Surrey has always been held by the Duke of Norfolk.

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