William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey

Who was William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey?

William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey, was the son of Hamelin de Warenne and Isabel, daughter of William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey. His father Hamelin granted him the manor of Appleby, North Lincolnshire.

De Warenne was present at the coronation of King John of England on 27 May 1199. When Normandy was lost to the French in 1204 he lost his Norman holdings, but John recompensed him with Grantham and Stamford.

His first tenure of office as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports began in 1204, and lasted until 1206. He was also a Warden of the Welsh Marches between 1208 and 1213.

William was one of the few barons who remained loyal to King John during the king's difficulties with the barons, when they sought for the French prince to assume the English throne, and is listed as one of those who advised John to accede to the Magna Carta. His allegiance only faltered a few times when the king's cause looked hopeless.

In March 1217 he again demonstrated his loyalty to England by supporting the young King Henry III, he was also responsible for the establishment of Salisbury Cathedral.

Between the years 1200 and 1208, and during 1217–1226 he was to serve as the High Sheriff of Surrey. In 1214 he was again appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.