William Mauduit, 8th Earl of Warwick facts for kids
William Mauduit, 8th Earl of Warwick (born around 1221 – died January 8, 1268) was an important English noble. He played a part in a big conflict called the Second Barons' War.
William was the son of Lady Alice de Newburgh and William de Mauduit. His grandfather was Waleran de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Warwick. William's family had a special role: his father was the Lord of Hanslope and held the title of hereditary Chamberlain of the Exchequer. This meant his family had a long history of serving the King. In June 1253, his cousin, Margaret de Beaumont, 7th Countess of Warwick, passed away without having children. Because of this, William became the next Earl of Warwick.
William Mauduit and the Barons' War
The Second Barons' War (1264–1267) was a fight between King Henry III and a group of powerful nobles. William Mauduit chose to support King Henry III during this time.
Attack on Warwick Castle
During the war, William's home, Warwick Castle, was suddenly attacked. The attack came from the forces of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, who was a leader of the nobles fighting the King. These forces came from Kenilworth Castle and were led by a knight named John Giffard.
A writer from the 1400s, John Rous, wrote about the attack. He said that parts of the castle walls were broken down. This was done to make sure the castle could not be used to help the King. William and his wife were captured during the attack. They were taken to Kenilworth Castle and held there. They were only set free after a large payment, called a ransom, was made.
Family and the Next Earl
William Mauduit married a woman named Alice de Segrave. She was the daughter of Gilbert de Segrave. However, William and Alice did not have any children together.
When William passed away, his lands and titles went to his sister, Isabel. Isabel was married to William de Beauchamp, who was the Lord of Elmley. Isabel died shortly after her brother. Because of this, the title of Earl of Warwick then passed to her son, William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick.
