John Segrave, 2nd Baron Segrave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Segrave, 2nd Baron Segrave
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Arms of Segrave
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| Born | 20 July 1256 Seagrave, Leicestershire |
| Died | 1 September 1325 Chacombe Priory, Northamptonshire |
| Spouse(s) | Maud de Swynnerton (1255–1275) Christian de Plessis (1257–1331) |
| Issue | Stephen, 3rd Baron Segrave, Eleanor, John the younger |
| Father | Nicholas de Segrave, 1st Baron Segrave |
| Mother | Matilda de Lucy |
John Segrave, 2nd Baron Segrave (born around 1256 – died 1325) was an important English military leader. He played a big part in the wars between England and Scotland, known as the First War of Scottish Independence.
Segrave led English forces in battles like Roslin and Happrew. He was also involved in the capture and execution of William Wallace, a famous Scottish hero. John Segrave was responsible for taking parts of Wallace's body to different places in Scotland. He passed away as a very rich man.
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Early Life and Family Connections
John Segrave was born on July 20, around 1256. He was the son of Nicholas de Segrave, 1st Baron Segrave. His mother was Maud, whose father was Geoffrey de Lucy.
In 1270, John Segrave married Christian. She was the daughter of Sir Hugh de Plescy. As part of their marriage, Christian brought land in Stottesdon, Shropshire, to the family. John's sister, Amabel, also married Christian's brother, John de Plescy.
Serving King Edward I
John Segrave was a loyal soldier for King Edward I. In 1277 and 1282, he fought in major wars against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Wales.
In 1287, he traveled to Ireland for a year. Later, in 1291, he was in Berwick, Scotland, serving the king. He spent a lot of time fighting in the wars against the Scots.
Taking Over His Father's Role
When his father died in 1295, John Segrave was 39 years old. He inherited his family's lands and title. From 1296 until his death, he was regularly called to attend important meetings of the English leaders.
In 1297, Segrave was part of a group of powerful nobles who met in York. They planned to fight against the Scots, but the trip was delayed.
Battles and Leadership in Scotland
John Segrave joined other nobles who were starting to disagree with the king. However, he still served the king in Scotland. In 1297, he fought in the Falkirk campaign.
He continued to fight against the Scots in 1299 and 1300. He played a key role in the siege of Caerlaverock. In 1301, he signed a letter from the English nobles to the Pope.
In 1302, he was put in charge of Berwick Castle. He was ordered to lead attacks into Scotland, going as far as Stirling and Kirkintilloch. After a truce ended, Segrave was given the important job of looking after Scotland for the king.
Capture and Recapture
In 1303, John Segrave and his soldiers were surprised by Scottish fighters near Edinburgh. He was badly hurt and captured along with twenty other knights. But other parts of his army quickly rescued him.
Segrave stayed in Scotland even after King Edward I arrived to lead the war himself. He was at the siege of Stirling Castle, which surrendered in 1304. After Edward left, Segrave became the main leader and judge in Scotland, south of the River Forth.
Hunting William Wallace
With most of the Scottish resistance seemingly over, Segrave's main job was to manage the conquered areas. He also had to find William Wallace, who was still fighting.
In March 1304, Segrave defeated Wallace in one of his last battles. The next summer, Wallace was handed over to Segrave. Segrave personally took Wallace as a prisoner to London, arriving on August 22, 1305.
Before this, King Edward had put Segrave in charge of the special group that would try Wallace. Segrave was responsible for keeping Wallace safe in prison in London. On August 23, he announced Wallace's sentence for treason.
After Wallace died, Segrave took his body parts back to Scotland. They were displayed in places like Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling, and Perth. In October 1305, Segrave received his payment, which might have been when he stopped being the warden of Scotland. In 1306, he was called again to join Edward I's invasion of Scotland.
Serving King Edward II
When Edward II became king, John Segrave received many new jobs. He became the head of the royal forests north of the River Trent. He also became the leader of Nottingham Castle.
In 1309 and 1310, he was appointed warden of Scotland again. Scotland was quickly being taken back by Robert Bruce. Segrave's job was mainly to protect the English border.
Political Struggles and Bannockburn
Segrave supported the nobles who were against King Edward II's favorite, Piers Gaveston. Because of this, his jobs at Nottingham Castle and in the forests were given to Gaveston. After Gaveston's death, Segrave got his forest job back.
In 1314, Segrave took part in a large expedition against Scotland. On June 24, he fought in the famous Battle of Bannockburn. After the English lost, he fled to Carlisle and hid in Bothwell Castle. However, the castle's sheriff changed sides and handed over the English fugitives as prisoners.
Segrave was held in Scotland until the end of 1314. He was released after some Scottish prisoners were freed and a large ransom was paid. His son, Stephen, helped arrange this.
He still held his forest job and was in charge of Nottingham Castle, with Derby Castle added later. In 1316, he received money from the king to help pay his ransom and for other losses he suffered while serving the king.
Later Life and Death
In 1318, Segrave was part of a group of advisors who were always with the king. In 1321, he was ordered to gather local soldiers for the king in Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire.
On July 16, 1324, Segrave was appointed the Seneschal of Gascony, a high-ranking official in the region of Gascony. He was also a leader of the troops going there, serving under Edmund of Woodstock.
John Segrave died the next year in Aquitaine, when he was almost 70 years old. During his lifetime, the Segrave family's lands and influence grew much larger. His father's lands were mostly in the central Midland counties. But John gained land in Norfolk, Oxfordshire, and other areas. He was allowed to build strong walls around his homes in Bretby, Derbyshire, and Caludon, Warwickshire.
Family Legacy
John Segrave's oldest son, Sir Stephen de Segrave, died shortly after him in 1325. His second son, John the younger, married Juliana. She was the daughter and heir of John de Sandwich. This younger John died in 1349, leaving a young daughter named Mary.
John Segrave, 4th Baron Segrave, who was Stephen's son, inherited the title and lands. He fought in King Edward III's wars in France. He married Margaret, the daughter of Thomas of Brotherton. This John was the last of the Segraves to be called to parliament.
Coat of Arms
John Segrave's coat of arms was a black shield with a silver lion standing on its hind legs, wearing a gold crown. This design was passed down from his father.
His coat of arms appears on several old lists of arms, which confirm his presence in the Scottish campaigns. These include the Falkirk Roll, the Caerlaverock Poem, and the Stirling Roll. His brothers and son also had similar arms, but with small differences to show they were different family members.
