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John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey

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For other people named John de Warenne, see John de Warenne (disambiguation).
The Right Honourable

John de Warenne
The Earl of Surrey
PredecessorJohn de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey
SuccessorRichard Fitzalan, 3rd Earl of Arundel
Born24/30 June 1286
Baptised7 November 1286
DiedJune 1347 (aged 60 or 61)
FatherWilliam de Warenne
MotherJoan de Vere

John de Warenne (24/30 June 1286 - June 1347), 7th Earl of Surrey, was the last Warenne Earl of Surrey.

Life

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John was born on either 24 or 30 June 1286[a] and baptised on 7 November of that year.[1]He was the son of William de Warenne, the only son of John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey. His mother was Joan, daughter of Robert de Vere, 5th Earl of Oxford. Warenne was only six months old when his father died.[7]

John was still a minor when his grandfather died in 1304. Because of this his lands were taken into the custody of the Crown at the time,[8][9] and he was made a royal ward of his relative Edward I of England.[6] He was given seisin of the lands of his inheritance from his grandfather, the late John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, in April 1306.[10] On 6 June 1306, John was referred to as "the present earl of Surrey."[11]

He was knighted on 22 May 1306 at Westminster Abbey along with 266 others, among which included the Prince of Wales, the future Edward II.[12] This chivalric celebration was named the Feast of the Swans. From that time onwards he was much engaged in the Scottish wars.[13]

John was one of the great nobles offended by the rise of Edward II's favorite Piers Gaveston, and helped secure Gaveston's 1308 banishment. The two were somewhat reconciled after Gaveston's return the next year, but in 1312 Warenne was one of the nobles who captured Gaveston. He was however unhappy about Gaveston's execution at the behest of the earl of Warwick, which pushed him back into the king's camp.[7]

The baronial opposition was led by the king's cousin Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and he and Warenne became bitter enemies. Private war erupted between the two, and over the next few years Warenne lost a good part of his estates to Lancaster.[7] In 1319, the King granted the Earl of Lancaster the towns of Conisboro and Sandal, along with the manors of Wakefield, Thorne, Hatfield, Sowerby, Braithwell, Fishlake, Dewsbury, and Halifax with their appurtenances, which were held of the King in capite, and which John de Warenne had previously held under Royal Grant.[14] On May 17, 1326, these Yorkshire estates were then re-granted to Warenne, after the forfeiture of the Earl of Lancaster's estate in 1322.[14]

Warenne was one of the four earls who captured the two Roger Mortimers, the uncle and the nephew. In 1322 he was one of the nobles who condemned to death the Earl of Lancaster.[7]

Warenne and his brother-in-law Edmund Fitzalan, 9th Earl of Arundel, were the last two earls to remain loyal to Edward II after the rise to power of Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer. After Arundel's execution he went over to the queen's side, urging Edward II's abdication in 1327.[7]

He was the guardian of his cousin Edward Balliol, and after Balliol lay claim to the Scottish throne, accompanied him on his campaign in Lothian. Balliol created Warenne earl of Strathern, but this was in name only for the properties of the earldom were held by the Scots.[7]

Warenne died in 1347 at Conisbrough Castle. His burial took place at the Priory church of St Pancras, in Lewes. John gave instruction in his will that he wished to be buried in an arch at the church which he had prepared near the high altar.[15][16] The date of his death recorded in his inquisition post mortems, ranges from 28 - 30 June 1347.[17] He was succeeded as earl by his nephew Richard Fitzalan, who was also earl of Arundel.[7]

Family

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On 15 March 1305, King Edward I of England offered John the marriage of his granddaughter Joan of Bar, Countess of Surrey, which he "willingly accepted."[18] She was a daughter of count Henry III of Bar, and Eleanor of England, Countess of Bar, the eldest daughter of king Edward I of England.[19]

John's father was a first cousin of Edward I of England[5] which meant that himself and his bride to be were second cousins once removed. They were both descended from Isabella of Angoulême. A dispensation was granted from Pope Clement V in order for the marriage to take place, due to them being related within the fourth degree of kindred.[20] They were married on 25 May 1306, in the royal chapel of Westminster Palace.[6][21] Joan (or Jeanne[19]) was only around 10 years old at the time of the marriage.[22] After marriage, the couple lived in Yorkshire on John's estates. Sometimes they lived at Sandal Castle, while the rest of the time they lived at Conisbrough Castle.[21] There were soon indicators that this marriage may not be a happy one, when in 1309 king Edward II of England granted leave for John to make any person he wished heir to the lands that he held. But he requested surety that any heir which he may have by his wife Joan was not to be disinherited.[23] John and his wife did not have any children. He tried on several occasions to divorce Joan but was not successful.

Warenne had a relationship with Maud de Nerford, with whom he had several illegitimate children, one of whom included Sir Edward de Warren.[24][25] He was living openly with Maud by 1311.[26] In 1313 the King arranged for his yeoman William Aune to take Joan from Conisbrough Castle, and bring her to him.[27] Edward II of England then paid all Joan's expenses while she lodged at the Tower of London.

On 8 March 1315 Maud was described as "Maud of Neyrford, daughter of the former William of Neyrford Knight, deceased, of the diocese of Norwich."[28][b] This description occurred during a notice delivered by "Robert, called of the chapel of Jackesle, a clerk of the diocese of Lincoln," to Joan of Bar that she was cited to appear before Thomas Gerdeston, the Archdeacon of Norfolk or his commissary to answer in a case of matrimony and divorce between herself and John de Warenne. This case was brought by Maud herself. However, the notice was read out to Joan while she was in the crypt of Saint Stephen's in Westminster and attending to the queen, which was forbidden. And so Robert was sent to the Tower of London, and Thomas Gerdeston was ordered to appear at the next parliament.[31] Maud had petitioned for the divorce of Warenne and his wife Joan on the basis that she had been precontracted to be married to John. This matter dragged on, and on 20 February 1316 the King allowed Maud's case to begin afresh. He granted Maud, and the Earl of Surrey, along with any other person that they may bring forward in their causes, protection pending the suits.[32] John wished to be divorced from his wife Joan, and tried to bring the suit at the same time as Maud, because he claimed that at the time he agreed to marry her, he was unaware they were related. He also stated he was under age at the time he contracted to marry Joan and was forced into it.[33] On 24 February 1316, the Earl and Maud were granted licence by the King for their suits to take place.[34] There is no record of the hearing of the two cases. But no divorce was granted. In John's case this was probably due to the fact that it was forbidden under church law for a man to bring divorce proceedings based on consanguinity. Concerning Maud's case and her claims of a previous contract, no contract had been found.[35] There were other obvious issues with the Earl's case: A dispensation had been obtained from the Pope at the time of marriage because John and Joan were related.[20] At 19 years of age, John was above the age of consent to be married. And he is recorded as willingly accepting the marriage when it was proposed to him.[18] By 1320 John had "expelled Maud de Nerforde from his heart and his company."[36]

He later had a relationship with Isabella Holand, sister of Thomas Holland, later earl of Kent.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Warenne, John de (1286-1347)". Tout, Thomas Frederick (1899). Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 59. London: Smith, Elder & Co.p.368. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  2. ^ From his father's Oxford Inquisition Post Mortem, taken on the Friday after Epiphany, 15 Edw. I: "John his son, born at the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 14 Edw. I, is his next heir". "Inquisitions Post Mortem, Edward I, File 47: 633. William de Warrenna. Inq. (Oxford). Friday after Epiphany, 15 Edw. I". Sharp, J.E.E.S. (1906). Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: Volume 2, Edward I. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. p.382. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  3. ^ "15. Edw. I: 23. WILLIELMUS DE WARENNA. Inq.p.m." Roberts, C. (1865). Calendarium Genealogicum: Henry II. And Edward I. Vol.I. London: Longmans, Green & Co.p.378. Accessed via Google Books. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  4. ^ Blaauw, W.H. (1849). "On the Early History of Lewes Priory, and its Seals, with extracts from a MS. Chronicle". Sussex Archaeological Collections. 2: 35–36. doi:10.5284/1085061.
  5. ^ a b "Chapter Sixteen: The Last Earl". Connolly, S.B. (2021). Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey. Barnsley: Pen & Sword History. p.186. Retrieved 07 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "The Last Earl of Warenne And Surrey, And The Distribution of His Possessions". Fairbank, F.R. (1907). The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal vol.XIX. p.193. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 07 July 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Tout 1899.
  8. ^ "Membrane 21d: 1305. Jan.1. Lincoln". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1898). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I: Volume 4, 1301 - 1307. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.pp.344 - 345. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Membrane 14d: 1305. March.18. Westminster". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1898). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I: Volume 4, 1301 - 1307. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.p.348. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Membrane 16: 1306. April 7. Wolvesey". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1908). Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I: Volume 5, 1302 - 1307. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office.p.373. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Membrane 20d: 1306. June 6. Westminster". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1898). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I: Volume 4, 1301 - 1307. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.p.476. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  12. ^ "The names of all the knights (267 in all) made at Whitsuntide, 34 Edward I, on the occasion of the knighting of Edward, prince of Wales, afterwards Edward II". Shaw, W.A; Burtchaell, G.D. (1906). The Knights of England. London: Sherratt and Hughes.p.111. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 08 July 2021.
  13. ^  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Warenne, Earls". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 324.
  14. ^ a b Lister, John (2013). Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Volume 4 1315 to 1317. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. vii. ISBN 9781139566872.
  15. ^ "The Last Earl of Warenne And Surrey, And The Distribution of His Possessions". Fairbank, F.R. (1907). The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal vol.XIX. p.254. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Chapter Seventeen: A Disastrous Marriage and the End of a Dynasty". Connolly, S.B. (2021). Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey. Barnsley: Pen & Sword History. p.218. Retrieved 08 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Inquisitions Post Mortem, Edward III, File 86: JOHN DE WARENNA, earl of Surrey and Sussex". Sharp, J. E. E. S: Atkinson, E .G: O'Reilly, J .J: Morris, G .J.(1916). Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: Volume 9, Edward III. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. pp.43-53. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Membrane 18d: 1305. March 15. Westminster". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1908).Calendar of The Close Rolls. Edward I. Vol.V 1302-1307. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office.p.321. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 09 July 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Chapter Sixteen: The Last Earl". Connolly, S.B. (2021). Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey. Barnsley: Pen & Sword History. p.188. Retrieved 09 July 2021.
  20. ^ a b "Chapter 6: Illegitimate children not used as substitute heirs: The marital difficulties and illegitimate children of Earl Warenne". Matthews, H.S. (2013). Illegitimacy and English Landed Society c.1285-c.1500. A thesis presented to Royal Holloway, University of London in Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. p.153. Retrieved 09 July 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Chapter Seventeen: A Disastrous Marriage and the End of a Dynasty". Connolly, S.B. (2021). Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey. Barnsley: Pen & Sword History. p.207. Retrieved 08 July 2021.
  22. ^ "His wife when they married was a child, and half his own age; it is not wonderful that the marriage was not a success. " - "The Last Earl of Warenne And Surrey, And The Distribution of His Possessions". Fairbank, F.R. (1907). The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal vol.XIX. p.264. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  23. ^ "1309: Aug. 16. Langley". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1927).Calendar of Chancery Warrants Preserved In The Public Record Office. 1244 - 1326. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office.p.296. Accessed via Hathitrust. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Chapter 6: Illegitimate children not used as substitute heirs: The marital difficulties and illegitimate children of Earl Warenne". Matthews, H.S. (2013). Illegitimacy and English Landed Society c.1285-c.1500. A thesis presented to Royal Holloway, University of London in Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. pp.160 - 162. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  25. ^ Fairbank, F.R (1907)."The Last Earl of Warenne And Surrey, And The Distribution of His Possessions". In The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal vol.XIX. p.248. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Chapter 6: Illegitimate children not used as substitute heirs: The marital difficulties and illegitimate children of Earl Warenne". Matthews, H.S. (2013). Illegitimacy and English Landed Society c.1285-c.1500. A thesis presented to Royal Holloway, University of London in Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. p.151. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Membrane 16: 1313. May 7. Windsor". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1898).Calendar of The Patent Rolls. Edward II. 1313-1317. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.p.12. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  28. ^ "1315. Rex v. Gerdeston". Leadam, I. S: Baldwin, J.F. (1918). Select cases before the King's Council, 1243-1482.Selden Society.p.29. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Inquisitions Post Mortem, Edward I, File 106: 114. WILLIAM DE NEYRFORD alias DE NERFORD". Sharp, J.E.E.S: Stamp, A.E.(1913).Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: Volume 4, Edward I. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office.p.76. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  30. ^ "The Manor of Narford, Alias Oldhall". Blomefield, F. (1807). 'Hundred of South Greenhoe: Narford', in An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 6. London.pp.229-231. Accessed via Google Books. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  31. ^ "1315. Rex v. Gerdeston". Leadam, I. S: Baldwin, J.F. (1918). Select cases before the King's Council, 1243-1482.Selden Society.pp.27 - 32. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  32. ^ "9 Edward II. - Part I. Membrane I: 1316. Feb 20. Lincoln". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1898). Calendar of The Patent Rolls. Edward II. 1313-1317. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.p.401. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  33. ^ "A Citation from Archbishop Greenfield to Joan Countess of Surrey". Raine.J.(1873). Historical Papers and Letters From The Northern Registers. London : Longman.pp.228-230. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  34. ^ "9 Edward II. - Part II Membrane 32: 1316. Feb 24. Lincoln". Maxwell-Lyte, H.C. (1898). Calendar of The Patent Rolls. Edward II. 1313-1317. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.p.434. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  35. ^ "The Last Earl of Warenne And Surrey, And The Distribution of His Possessions". Fairbank, F.R. (1907). The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal vol.XIX. pp.205-206. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Petitioners: John de Warenne, Earl Warenne. Reference: SC 8/87/4348". Accessed via The National Archives Discovery Online. Publication note: Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edw II, vol. III, 1317-1321, (Public Record Office, 1903), p.474 (commission of oyer et terminer to the justices mentioned in the petition, on complaint of John de Nerforde) & 537 (similar commission). Retrieved 15 July 2021.

Attribution:

Notes

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  1. ^ Some sources give his date of birth as 24 June 1286. This date was the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. – [1][2][3] However, other sources[4][5][6] give his date of birth as 30 June 1286.
  2. ^ Maud's father had died in 1302, and in his inquisition post mortem named Petronilla his wife, as heir.[29] Maud's father William de Nerford (or Narford) was lord of the manor of Narford in Norfolk, and became a Knight by 1277. His wife Petronilla was a daughter of Sir John de Vaux. Petronilla divided her estate in the 16th year of the reign of Edward I, between herself and her sister Maud, then the wife of William de Roos or Roose. Petronilla's sister was assigned the lordships of Thirston and Shotesham, and a moiety of those of Holt, Cley juxta Mare, and Houghton by Walsingham, with many knights fees in Norfolk and Suffolk. Petronilla was lady of the manor of Narford in 1315. She died in 1326 and was buried at Pentney Priory, nearby to Narford. Maud de Nerford/ Narford's brothers were Sir John, Sir Thomas and Edmund. Edmund died in 1330 without issue.[30]
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Peerage of England
Preceded by Earl of Surrey
(1st creation)
1304–1347 		Succeeded by
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