Biography of William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey -1088

Paternal Family Tree: Warenne

William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey was born to Ralph Warenne.

After 1066 Conisbrough Castle [Map] was founded by William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey after he had been awarded estates in Yorkshire, Norfolk and Sussex by King William "Conqueror" I of England (age 38) for his role in the Battle of Hastings.

Battle of Hastings

                    On 14 Oct 1066 the Norman army led by King William "Conqueror" I of England (age 38) defeated the English army of King Harold II of England (age 44) at the Battle of Hastings fought at Senlac Hill Hastings. Aimery Thouars (age 42), Ralph de Gael 2nd Earl East Anglia (age 24), Eustace Flanders II Count Boulogne (age 51), William Fitzosbern 1st Earl Hereford (age 46), Geoffrey Chateaudun II Count Mortain III Count Perche, William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey, Raoul Tosny, Robert Beaumont 1st Earl of Leicester Count Meulan (age 26), Hugh Grandesmil (age 34), Roger "The Great" Montgomery 1st Earl of Shrewsbury (possibly), Robert Mortain Count Mortain 1st Earl Cornwall (age 35) and Bishop Odo of Bayeux fought for William.
                
                    Brothers King Harold II of England was killed. Earl Wessex, Earl Hereford extinct.
                
                    His borthers Gyrth Godwinson Earl East Anglia (age 34) and Leofwine Godwinson 2nd Earl Kent (age 31), and Engenulphe Aigle (age 56) were killed. Earl Kent extinct.

Before 1070 William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey and Gundred Countess of Surrey were married.

Flowers of History. 1078. A violent quarrel arose between pope Gregory and the emperor Henry. At last the emperor was excommunicated¹. After that, he ravaged the province of Swabia. King William (age 50) held his court at Gloucester [Map], and conferred bishoprics on those of his chaplains, giving the diocese of London to Maurice, of Norwich to William, and of Chichester to Robert. The same year, Guiscard, the noble dake of Apolia, died, and was succeeded by his two sons, Roger and Beaumont. This year also, a naval war of deadly animosity broke out between the states of Venice and Baris, for the sake of the body of Saint Nicholas. The same year, count William de Warenne, who had come into England with William the Bastard, founded the abbey of Saint Pancras of Lewes [Map].

Note 1. This was the origin of the wars between the Guelfs and Ghibelins.

Around 1080 William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey commissioned the building of Castle Acre Castle [Map].

                    Domesday Conisbrough. Conisbrough. Land of William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey. 
                
                    Households: 21 villagers. 11 smallholders. 1 priest. Ploughland: 59 ploughlands. 5 lord's plough teams. 11 men's plough teams. 
                
                    Other resources: Woodland 1 * 1 leagues. 2 mills, value 1 pound 12 shillings. 1 church. 
                
                    Valuation: Annual value to lord: 30 pounds in 1086; 18 pounds in 1066. 
                
                    Owners: Tenant-in-chief in 1086: William of Warenne. Lord in 1086: William of Warenne. Lord in 1066: Earl Harold.
                
                    Phillimore reference: Yorkshire 12W1.

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Around Mar 1088 William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey was created 1st Earl Surrey. [his wife] Gundred Countess of Surrey by marriage Countess Surrey.

On 24 Jun 1088 William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey died at Lewes [Map]. His son [his son] William succeeded 2nd Earl Surrey and inherited his estates including Conisbrough Castle [Map].

Biography of William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey -1088

Royal Descendants of William Warenne 1st Earl of Surrey -1088