William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey facts for kids
William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey (born in the 1160s or 1170s, died on May 27, 1240) was an important English nobleman. He was the son of Hamelin de Warenne and Isabel. William inherited the title of Earl of Surrey, which made him a powerful figure in England. His father also gave him the manor of Appleby, North Lincolnshire.
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Early Life and Royal Connections
Even though William spent most of his life in England, he grew up in Normandy, a region in France. He had strong connections to the royal family. Through his grandfather, Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, William was a cousin to King Richard I and King John. Later, he became an uncle to King Henry III.
These family ties were very helpful for William. He was present at King John's coronation on May 27, 1199. When England lost control of Normandy to the French in 1204, William lost his lands there. However, King John gave him new and important towns in England, like Grantham and Stamford, to make up for his losses. This showed how much the king trusted him.
Important Roles and Duties
William de Warenne held several key positions during his life:
- Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports: He was in charge of defending important coastal towns, known as the Cinque Ports, from 1204 to 1206 and again in 1214. These ports were vital for England's defense and trade.
- Warden of the Welsh Marches: From 1208 to 1213, he helped manage the border areas between England and Wales.
- High Sheriff of Surrey: He served as the chief law enforcement officer for the county of Surrey for many years, from 1200 to 1208 and again from 1217 to 1226.
Loyalty During Difficult Times
William de Warenne was known for being very loyal to his cousin, King John. When some barons (powerful noblemen) rebelled against King John, William was one of the few who stayed on the king's side.
In 1212, when there was fear of a large rebellion, King John trusted William to look after the northern parts of England. William also advised King John to agree to the Magna Carta, a famous document that limited the king's power.
Even when things looked bad for King John, William mostly remained loyal. After King John died, William quickly supported the young King Henry III in March 1217. He also played a role in the building of Salisbury Cathedral.
However, William did not like some of the king's new advisors who gained power after 1227. He used his influence to protect his friend, Hubert de Burgh, when Hubert was removed from his position in 1232. Over time, William's relationship with King Henry III became a bit difficult. In 1238, he was seen as a leader of the barons who opposed the king's spending. The Great Council (a meeting of important nobles) even appointed him as one of the treasurers to make sure the king didn't waste money.
Family Life
William de Warenne married Maud Marshal on October 13, 1225. Maud was a widow who had been married to Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk before.
William and Maud had two children:
- John (1231–1304): He became the 6th Earl of Surrey after his father passed away.
- Isabel (around 1228–1282): She married Hugh d'Aubigny, 5th Earl of Arundel.
It is also possible that William had an earlier marriage to another woman named Maud, who was the daughter of William d'Aubigny, 2nd Earl of Arundel. However, they did not have any children together.
Images for kids
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Arms of William de Warenne
