Isabel de Warenne facts for kids
Isabel de Warenne, Countess of Arundel (born around 1228 – died 1282) was an important English noblewoman. She became a widow when she was only about 17 years old. With her large family lands, she started a special kind of convent for nuns. It was the only Cistercian convent for women in England at that time. In 1252, she bravely stood up to King Henry III because he owed her money.
Early Life and Family
Isabel was born sometime between 1226 and 1230. Her father was William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey, and her mother was Maud Marshal. Both of her parents had been married before and then married each other in 1225. Isabel also had a younger brother, John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, who was born in 1231.
Isabel was related to the King! Her grandfather, Hamelin Plantagenet, was the half-brother of King Henry II. This made Isabel a cousin of King Henry III.
When Isabel was between eight and 12 years old, in 1234, she married Hugh d'Aubigny, 5th Earl of Arundel. The young couple moved to Marham in Norfolk. Isabel's father had given them a manor, which was a large estate, that brought in £40 a year in rent.
Becoming a Widow
Isabel's husband, Hugh d'Aubigny, died on May 7, 1243. At this time, her father and uncles had also passed away. This meant Isabel became a teenage widow with a good amount of wealth. Even though her husband's lands were given to his sisters, Isabel kept the important title of "Countess of Arundel."
After her husband died, King Henry III wanted her to marry one of his favorites, Pierre de Genevre. This idea came up on May 29, 1243. However, Isabel chose not to remarry. Official records show that she was allowed to stay unmarried if she wanted, but she had to pay Pierre to be free from the marriage plan.
Isabel became a strong supporter of religious groups. In 1249, she used some of her land in Norfolk to start Marham Abbey. This was a special convent for women that followed the Cistercian order. It was the only one of its kind for women in England when it was founded. In 1252, she visited the Cistercian Abbey at Waverley. She talked with the abbot (the head monk) and gave the monks some money and a barrel of wine.
Standing Up to the King
In 1252, a man named Thomas Ingoldsthorpe died. King Henry III took control of Thomas's lands. However, Thomas had been a tenant (someone who rented land) from Isabel. He owed her a payment called a "knight's fee." So, Isabel asked the King to pay her what she was owed.
King Henry refused to pay. Isabel bravely went to him and complained directly to his face! She even suggested that the King was ignoring the Magna Carta, which was a very important document that limited the King's power. After her complaint, she left the King's court without getting his permission.
A year later, King Henry did pay back the money he owed her. He also forgave a fine that Isabel had been charged for complaining. But he added a condition: she should "say nothing opprobrious to us as she did when we were at Westminster." This means she shouldn't say anything insulting to him again!
Isabel de Warenne died before November 23, 1282, and was buried at Marham Abbey.
