Biography of John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey 1286-1347

On 30th June 1286 John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey was born to [his father] William Warenne and [his mother] Joan Vere.

On 15th December 1286 [his father] William Warenne was killed in a tournament.

On 29th September 1304 [his grandfather] John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey [aged 73] died at Kennington, Kent. He was buried at Lewes Priory [Map]. His grandson John [aged 18] succeeded 7th Earl Surrey and inherited his estates including Conisbrough Castle [Map].

On 25th May 1306 John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey [aged 19] and Joan of Bar Countess of Surrey [aged 10] were married. She by marriage Countess Surrey. She the daughter of Henry of Bar III Count of Bar [aged 47] and Eleanor Plantagenet. They were half second cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

In 1316 John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey [aged 29] attempted to divorce his wife Joan of Bar Countess of Surrey [aged 20]. He blamed Thomas Earl of Lancaster [aged 38] for his failure to obtain a divorce so kidnapped Thomas' wife Alice de Lacy [aged 34] Thomas retaliated by capturing Conisbrough Castle [Map]; King Edward [aged 31] confirmed Thomas as the new owner. Thomas subsequenly rebelled against the King and was executed and King Edward took possession of Conisbrough Castle [Map]. Following the usurption of King Edward the castle was returned to John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey.

In 1317 Alice Lacy Countess Leicester, and Lancaster 5th Countess of Salisbury 5th Countess Lincoln [aged 35] was abducted from her manor of Canford, Dorset, by some of the household Knights of John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey [aged 30]. She may have been complicit in the abduction. Warenne appears to be using the abduction to attack her husband Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln [aged 39]. Lancaster proceeded to wage war agaonmt Warenne although he didn't request the return of his wife.

Calendar of Papal Letters 1344. 15th May 1344. 169. Ides of May. Villeneuve by Avignon. (f. 251.)

To the bishop of St. Asaph. Mandate to absolve John de Warenna [aged 57], earl of Surrey and Strathearn, lord of Bromfield and Yal, from the excommunication which he has incurred by intermarrying with [his wife] Joan [aged 48], daughter of Henry [aged 85], count of Barre, whose [Joan's] mother's [Eleanor Plantagenet] sister Mary he had carnally known. A penance is to be enjoined, and as to the marriage, canonical action is to be taken.

Calendar of Papal Letters 1344. 5th June 1344. 173. 2 Non. June. Avignon. (f. 126d).

Declaration of the validity of the dispensation in regard to the fourth degree of kindred granted to John, earl of Warenne [aged 57], and Joan de Barre [aged 48] by Clement V. thirty-three years ago, and of all like dispensations; seeing that the said earl, pretending that the said dispensation was invalid, because his wife was related in the third degree to the common stock and he in the fourth, has put away his wife, and contrary opinions have been given by divers doctors touching the same matter.

Calendar of Papal Letters 1344. 17th July 1344. 189. 16 Kal. Aug. Avignon. (f. 279d.)

To the archbishop of Canterbury and his official. Inhibition touching the case of John, earl of Warrenne [aged 58], and Joan de Barre [aged 48], his wife, in regard to which Joan has been molested in the archbishop's court, contrary to the pope's declaration in the matter.

Calendar of Papal Letters 1344. 1st August 1344. 522. 2 Kal. Aug. Villeneuve by Avignon. (f. 215d.)

Confirmation, with expemplification, at the request of Richard de Baskervile, knight, and Isabella his wife, of the diocese of Hereford, of the letters issued by Clement VI. 2 Non. June, anno 3, ruling, in the case of John, earl of Warenne [aged 58], and Joan de Barro [aged 48], that dispensation for the marriage of persons related in the fourth degree of kindred shall hold good if they are related in the fourth and third degrees.

Calendar of Papal Letters 1344. 13th September 1344. Ides of Sept. Avignon. (f. 453.). 595.

Decree, at the request of Robert de Bures, Knight, of the diocese of Norwich, giving force to the copy of decree of Clement VI. dated 2 Non. June, anno 3, touching the dispensation granted by Clement V. to John, earl of Warenne [aged 58], and Joan de Barro [aged 48], they having been married for thirty-three years, a question having arisen as to their being related in the third and fourth degrees of kindred, whereby John repudiated his wife.

In June 1347 John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey [aged 60] died. His nephew Richard [aged 41] succeeded 8th Earl Surrey. Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey [aged 28] by marriage Countess Surrey. Conisbrough Castle [Map] reverted to the Crown.

In 1361 [his former wife] Joan of Bar Countess of Surrey [aged 65] died.

[his father] William Warenne and [his mother] Joan Vere were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Robert de Vere 5th Earl of Oxford and [his grandmother] Alice Sanford Countess of Oxford. He the son of John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey and Alice Lusignan Countess of Surrey. They were fifth cousins.