John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John de Warenne
Earl of Surrey
Arms of Warenne: Chequy or and azure
Predecessor	John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey
Successor	Richard Fitzalan, 3rd Earl of Arundel
Born	24/30 June 1286
Baptised	7 November 1286
Died	June 1347 (aged 60 or 61)
Father	William de Warenne
Mother	Joan de Vere

John de Warenne (born June 1286 – died June 1347) was an important English nobleman. He was the 7th Earl of Surrey and the last earl from the Warenne family line.

Early Life and Knighthood

John de Warenne was born in June 1286. He was the son of William de Warenne, who was the only son of the 6th Earl of Surrey, also named John. His mother was Joan de Vere. Sadly, John was only six months old when his father passed away.

When his grandfather died in 1304, John was still a child. Because of this, his lands were looked after by the King, Edward I of England, who was a relative. In April 1306, John officially received control of his family's lands. By June 1306, he was known as "the present earl of Surrey."

On May 22, 1306, John was made a knight at Westminster Abbey. This was a big event where 266 people were knighted, including the future King Edward II of England. This special celebration was called the Feast of the Swans. After this, John became very involved in the wars against Scotland.

Life as an Earl

John de Warenne was one of the powerful nobles who disliked Edward II of England's close friend, Piers Gaveston. He helped to have Gaveston sent away from England in 1308. Later, Gaveston returned, and in 1312, Warenne was among the nobles who captured him. However, Warenne was not happy when Gaveston was executed. This made him support the King again.

The King's cousin, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, led a group of nobles who opposed the King. Lancaster and Warenne became strong enemies. They even had private fights over land. Over a few years, Warenne lost many of his estates to Lancaster. Later, in 1326, Warenne got his lands back after the Earl of Lancaster lost his own estates.

In 1322, Warenne was one of the four earls who captured two important figures named Roger Mortimer. He also helped to sentence the Earl of Lancaster to death that same year.

Warenne and his brother-in-law, Edmund Fitzalan, 9th Earl of Arundel, were the last two earls to stay loyal to King Edward II. This was during a time when Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer were gaining power. After Arundel was executed, Warenne decided to support the Queen. He encouraged King Edward II to give up his throne in 1327.

John de Warenne was also the guardian of his cousin, Edward Balliol. When Balliol claimed the throne of Scotland, Warenne joined him on his military campaign. Balliol made Warenne the Earl of Strathern, but this was only a title because Scottish forces controlled the lands.

Later Life and Family

John de Warenne died in June 1347 at Conisbrough Castle. He was buried at the Priory church of St Pancras in Lewes. In his will, he asked to be buried in an arch near the main altar of the church. His nephew, Richard Fitzalan, became the next Earl of Surrey.

On March 15, 1305, King Edward I of England suggested that John marry his granddaughter, Joan of Bar, Countess of Surrey. John agreed to this marriage. Joan was the daughter of Henry III of Bar and Eleanor of England, who was King Edward I's eldest daughter.

John and Joan were related, so they needed special permission from Pope Clement V to get married. They were married on May 25, 1306, at Westminster Palace. Joan was only about 10 years old at the time. After their marriage, they lived on John's estates in Yorkshire, sometimes at Sandal Castle and sometimes at Conisbrough Castle.

John and Joan did not have any children together. John tried several times to get a divorce from Joan, but he was not successful. John de Warenne did have children, but not with his wife Joan.