Warenne Family
Ada de Warenne
William de
Warenne
Isabel of Vermandois
Isabel, da. of Hugh, COUNT OF VERMANDOIS (see The Complete Peerage vol 6 p642 (George
Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Vicary Gibbs, 1926))
see Gesta Normannorum ducum (Guillaume de
Jumièges - Torigny) book VIII p332 for Isabels' father and first
husband and Annals of Scotland vol 1 p93 (David
Dalrymple, 1797)
Henry,
Earl of Huntingdon and Northumberland in 1139
Holinshed’s Chronicle of England, Scotland and Ireland
vol 5 p289 (ed. Raphaell Hollindshead, 1808)
Dauid had by
his wife Mauld inheritor of part of Northumberland, Cumberland, and
Huntington, a Sonne named Henrie, who maried the earle of Warrens
daughter, a ladie of high parentage, as descended of most noble bloud
both French and English. On whome he begat three sonnes, Malcolme,
William, and Dauid; also three daughters. Adhama, Margaret, and Mauld.
Raphael Holinshed tells of a sister of king William who was married to
Gilchrist, the earl of Angus and a military leader of Scotland, and who was
strangled by her husband, leading to Gilchrist's banishment. In addition, Robert de Pinkeney,
one of the Competitors
for the Crown of Scotland in 1291, claimed the throne by descent from
an illegitimate daughter of Earl Henry named Marjorie. The additional
daughter or daughters of Henry and Ada are not listed by later historians
such as Scottish kings; a revised chronology of Scottish
history, 1005-1625 p68 (Archibald Hamilton Dunbar, 1899).
James Balfour Paul mentions Marjorie in respect of Pinkeney's claim in Scots Peerage p5 but says that "her
position in uncertain".
Holinshed’s Chronicle of England, Scotland and Ireland
vol 5 p300 (ed. Raphaell Hollindshead, 1808)
in the
yeare of Grace 1178, … At the same time Gilcrist, hauing his wife in
suspicion of adulterie, droue hir out of doores, and afterwards
strangled hir in a village called Manis, not past a mile from Dundee.
The king (for that she was his sister) tooke such indignation therewith,
that he seized vpon all his lands and goods, purposing to haue put him
to death if he might haue got him into his hands: but when he saw he
could not be found, he proclamed him traitor, and raced his castell
(wherein he had dwelled) quite to the ground, in such wise that vnneth
remaineth anie token at this day where it stood.
Ada founded the nunnery of Haddington,
Scotland. These charters by Ada document her donation, and also name her
husband, Henry, and her son, William, king of Scots.
A history of Northumberland part 2 vol 3
pp17-8 (John Hodgson, 1820)
The
countess Ada, mother of the king of Scots, granted all Whitfield to the
church of Hexham, except the lands holden of her there by Robert, the
son of William and Johel, of Corbridge, and confirmed grants of the same
made by the prior and convent of “Coldeham,” and others, to Robert, her
chaplain, and to Matthew, the son of the said Robert. John, prior of
Hexham, also gave to the same Matthew, under the name of Matthew
Whitefelde, son of Robert, chaplain of the countess, half of Whitefelde,
all Parmontle, Elmlee, Softlaws, Dewsgrean, Townegreene, and Old-towne,
and all Huntersheels and Huntersheeles-park, lying between Harwoodbor̃
and Kingeswoodbor̃, as appears by the following charters, which are
preserved at Whitfield Hall, among the muniments of William Ord, esq.,
M.P.
[transcribed from the record type in the printed edition]
Ada
comitissa, mater regis Scotorum, omnibus sanctae ecclesiae filiis,
notum vobis fieri volo me dedisse Deo et ecclesiae Sancti Andreae
Hagustald et canonicis ibidem Deo servientibus in perpetuum totam
Witefeld cum bosco et plano cum prato et pastura et molino et cum
omnibus eidem villae de Witefeld adjacentibus, praeter illas quas
Robertus filius Willelmi et Joel de Corbrige de me tenent in eadem
Witefeld. Tenendum de me et heredibus meis feodo firma et perpetua
liberam et quietam ab omni servicio et consuetudine et ab omnibus
auxiliis et geld, easdem divisas per quas eam tenui de Henrico comite
sponso meo et postea de Willelmo rege Scotiae filio meo, praeter illas
divisas quas Robertus capellanus meus cum tenuit. Et sicut illam, quam
antea Robertus Capellanus per me de dominio guast Henrici comitis
sponsi mei coluit et inhabitavimus. Reddendo inde annuatim mihi vel
heredibus meis . . . libras pipis ad festum Sancti Michalis. Testibus:
Willelmo de Boleber, Henrico . . . , Regina de Reneber, Roberto
clerico de Heddon, Willelmo Giffard clerico, . . . . . . de Mortuo
mare, Gualramo filio Radle Taurii balor, Roberto de Belver.—(From
a Copy)
Ada comitissa mater regis
Scotorum omnibus hominibus et amicis suis et omnibus hominibus
Willelmi filii sui de Tindale salutem. Sciatis me dedisse Roberto
capellano meo Witefeild in feodo—unum sorum accipitrem annuatim
reddendo mihi seu cui praecipio. Testibus Hugone Giffard, Alexandro de
sancto Mayor, Mauricio, Willelmo Capon, Winemer. Apud Harigro.—(From
a Copy)
Ada comitissa mater
regis Scotorum omnibus sanctae ecclesiae filiis. Sciant praesentes et
posteri me concessisse et hac carta mea confirmasse Roberto capellano
meo et heredibus suis . . . . . . exceptis terris Joel et Roberti de
Disletona. Tenendum de Hagustald in feodo et hereditate cum bosco et
plano cum prato et pastura cum molino et cum omnibus eidem villae de
Witefeld adjacentibus libere et quiete et honorifice sicut carta
praedictorum . . . . . . . . Roberto et heredibus suis testatur et
confirmat. Testibus Alexandro de sancto Martino, Willelmo Giffard,
Waltero clerico.—(From a Copy)
Ada comitissa, mater regis Scotorum,
omnibus amicis et hominibus ac clericis et laicis, salutem. Sciant
praesentes et posteri me concessisse donum quod prior de Coldeham et
conventus ejusdem domus fecerunt Matheo filio Roberti capellani mei et
heredibus suis de firma mea de Whitfield. Quare volo et praecipio quod
praenominatus Matheus et heredes sui praedictam firmam teneant et
possideant bene et in pace, et cetera, sicut carta canonicorum
testatur et confirmat. Salvo eorum servicio. Insuper et concedo eidem
Matheo et heredibus suis edificare et hospitari eandem tam in bosco,
in plano, in pratis, et in pasturis, in scalingis, in ridinglis, in
omnibus locis ita plenarie sicut aliquo tempore . . . . . . guerram
melius edificata et hospicata fuerat. Testibus: Alexandro de sancto
Martino, Henrico de Graham, Walthevo clerico de Rok', Willelmo
Capellano, Galfrido Capellano, Willelmo clerico meo.—(From a
Copy.)
The charters translate as:
Ada,
countess and mother of the king of Scots, wishes all the sons of Holy
Church to know that I have given to God and to the church of Saint
Andrew of Haddington, and to the canons serving God there, forever, the
whole of Whitefield, with its wood and plain, meadow and pasture, mill,
and all other things adjoining to the township of Whitefield— except for
those lands which Robert son of William and Johel of Corbridge hold from
me in the same Whitefield.
They are to hold it from me and my heirs in perpetual fee-farm, freely
and quietly, released from all service and customary dues, and from all
aids and gelds, according to the same boundaries by which I held it from
Henry the earl, my late husband, and afterwards from William, king of
Scotland, my son; and according to the boundaries by which my chaplain
Robert held it. And likewise as that land which the said Robert the
Chaplain held from me of the demesne of the late Earl Henry, my husband,
and cultivated and inhabited. Rendering thence annually to me or my
heirs . . . pounds of pepper at the Feast of Saint Michael. Witnesses:
William of Bolebec, Henry . . . , Reginald of Renibour, Robert the clerk
of Heddon, William Giffard the clerk, . . . . . . of Mortuo mare, Walran
son of Radulf Taurius balor (Walran, son of Radulf the chief
officer/bull), Robert of Belvoir.—(From a Copy.)
Ada, Countess, mother of the king of Scots, to all her men and
friends, and to all the men of William, her son, of Tynedale, greeting.
Know ye that I have given to Robert, my chaplain, Whitfield in
fee—rendering to me annually or to whomsoever I command, one sore hawk
(accipitrem sorum). Witnesses: Hugh Giffard, Alexander of St. Martin,
Maurice, William Capon, Winemer. At Harigro. (From a Copy.)
Ada, Countess, mother of the king of Scots, to all the sons of
Holy Church. Let present and future generations know that I have granted
and by this my charter confirmed to Robert, my chaplain, and his heirs .
. . . . . excepting the lands of Joel and Robert of Dissington. To be
held of Hexham in fee and heredity, with wood and plain, with meadow and
pasture, with a mill and with all things adjacent to the said vill of
Whitfield, freely and quietly and honorably, just as the charter of the
aforesaid . . . . . . . . testifies and confirms to Robert and his
heirs. Witnesses: Alexander of St. Martin, William Giffard, Walter the
clerk. (From a Copy.)
Ada, Countess, mother of the king of Scots, to all friends and
men, both clergy and laymen, greeting. Let present and future
generations know that I have granted the gift which the Prior of
Coldingham and the convent of the same house made to Matthew, son of
Robert, my chaplain, and his heirs concerning my farm of Whitfield.
Wherefore I will and command that the aforesaid Matthew and his heirs
hold and possess the said farm well and in peace, etc., just as the
charter of the canons testifies and confirms. Saving their service.
Moreover, I grant to the same Matthew and his heirs to build and settle
the same place, both in wood, in plain, in meadows, and in pastures, in
shepherd huts (shielings), in clearings, in all places, as fully as at
any time . . . . . . it had been better built and settled in time of
war. Witnesses: Alexander of St. Martin, Henry of Graham, Waltheof the
clerk of Rock, William the Chaplain, Galfrid (Geoffrey) the Chaplain,
William my clerk. (From a Copy.)
Other charters by Ada are found in the cartulary of St Andrew, Edinburgh.
Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia
pp207-9 (1841)
[transcribed
from the record type in the printed edition]
1. Charter:
Grant of a Messuage in Haddington
Carta Comitissae Adae de tofto in Hadintuna
Ada Comitissa mater regis Scotorum, sanctae matris ecclesiae filiis,
salutem. Sciant praesentes et posteri me dedisse et hac mea carta
confirmasse conventui Canonicorum ecclesiae sancti Andreae Apostoli in
Scotia unum plenarium toftum in burgo meo de Hadintuna tenendum
perpetuo in elemosinam ita libere et quiete ab omni servicio et
consuetudine ut aliquam aliam elemosinam quiete et libere tenent pro
anima Henrici comitis sponsi mei et pro salute animae meae et pro
animabus praedecessorum meorum. Testibus: Hugone, Thoma archidiacono,
Alexandro de sancto Martino. Hela comitissa de Fife. Patricio
capellano. Willelmo clerico. Willelmo Giffar.
2. Carta Comitissae Adae de Terra in Caral
Ada comitissa mater Regis Scotorum. Omnibus sanctae matris ecclesiae
filiis, salutem. Noverint praesentes et futuri me dedisse et
concessisse et hac mea carta confirmasse Deo et canonicis de sancto
Andrea in Scotia illam terram in Charel quam Radulfus de aluerbaf
inhabitavit desuper uiam infra aliam uiam quae est juxta toftum
Radulfi de Dunfermeli et infra uestem fossam et riuum ultra illam fram
fubta uiam a Tofto Radulfi de morpath usque in mare per latitudinem
unius plenarii tofti ex transuerso. Volo igitur et praecipio ut
praedicti canonici praenominatam terram teneant et possideant in
perpetuum in elemosinam pro anima Henrici comitis sponsi mei et pro
salute animae meae et pro animabus praedecessorum et successorum
meorum. Ita libere et quiete et honorifice ut alia elemosina coeli et
liberi tenent in regno. Testibus: Alexandro de sancto Martino,
Willelmo Giffard, Willelmo Capon, Winemer, Ricardo de Rifing, Roberto
de neuham, Reginaldo filio sponsito, Reginaldo albo.
3. Carta Comitissae Adae de
tota Terra de Pethmulin
Ada Comitissa mater regis Scotorum. Omnibus sanctae matris ecclesiae
filiis. Praesentibus et posteris, salutem. Sciatis me dedisse et
concessisse et hac mea carta confirmasse Deo et ecclesiae sancti
Andreae et canonicis ibidem Deo servientibus et hospitati eorum totam
terram de Pethmulin quam malefus tenuit, sicut Hugo Giffard et ceteri
probi homines mei eandem terram perambulaverunt. Perpetuam elemosinam.
Concedo eis praeterea communem pasturam in Mohora. Quare volo et
praecipio quod praedicti canonici praenotatam terram teneant et
possideant quietam et liberam ab omni servicio saeculari, et sicut
aliqua elemosina melius, liberius, et quietius datur et tenetur in
toto regno regis filii mei. Testibus: Hugone Giffard, Alexandro de
sancto Martino, Radulfo de Ver, Willelmo de Mortemer, Willelmo de
Munfort, Thoma de Morham, Hugone de Baillon, Radulfo filio Fausarii,
Ricardo de Rising, Roberto de Newham, Mauricio.
4. Carta Comitissae Adae de una marca de Pethmulin
Ada comitissa mater regis Scotorum sanctae matris ecclesiae filiis,
salutem. Sciant praesentes et posteri me dedisse et concessisse et hac
nostra carta confirmasse Deo et sancto Andreae Apostolo et canonicis
apud Coldingham in feodo servientibus unam marcham argenti in
perpetuum in elemosinam pro anima comitis Henrici sponsi mei et pro
salute animae meae et pro animabus omnium antecessorum et successorum
meorum, hanc elemosinam dedi ad operationem novae ecclesiae. Et cum
effecta fuerit, dedi eandem elemosinam perpetuo ad luminare ejusdem
ecclesiae. Ne igitur haec elemosina in posterum decidat: Volo et
firmiter praecipio ut maleful de Pethmulin in Fyra de Karel illam
marcham argenti reddat praedictis canonicis annuatim de illa terra
quam de me tenet. Scilicet medietatem ad festum sancti Johannis
Baptistae et medietatem ad festum sancti Martini. Quicumque illam quam
alii maleful tenet post illum tenebit, debitum illud persolvat.
Testibus: Hugone Giffard, Alexandro de sancto Martino, Hugone de
Bailol, Willelmo capellano, Willelmo Giffard, Henrico de Grēd,
Steffano baliol.
The charters translate as:
1. Charter of
Countess Ada concerning a Messuage in Haddington
Ada, Countess, mother of the King of Scots, to the sons of Holy Mother
Church, greeting. Let present and future generations know that I have
given and by this my charter confirmed to the convent of Canons of the
Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle in Scotland, one full messuage (toft)
in my burgh of Haddington, to be held forever in alms so freely and
quietly from all service and custom as they hold any other alms quietly
and freely for the soul of Henry my husband the Earl, and for the
salvation of my soul, and for the souls of my predecessors. Witnesses:
Hugh, Thomas the Archdeacon, Alexander of St. Martin. Ela, Countess of
Fife. Patrick the Chaplain. William the Clerk. William Giffar.
2. Charter of
Countess Ada concerning Land in Caral
Ada, Countess, mother of the King of Scots. To all sons of Holy Mother
Church, greeting. Let present and future generations know that I have
given and granted and by this my charter confirmed to God and the canons
of Saint Andrew in Scotland that land in Caral which Radulf de Alverbaf
inhabited, above the road, within the other road which is next to the
messuage (toft) of Radulf of Dunfermline, and within the western ditch
and the stream beyond that frame below the road from the Messuage of
Radulf of Morpeth all the way to the sea by the breadth of one full
messuage across. Therefore, I will and command that the aforesaid canons
hold and possess the aforementioned land forever in alms for the soul of
Henry my husband the Earl, and for the salvation of my soul, and for the
souls of my predecessors and successors. So freely and quietly and
honorably as they hold other free alms of heaven in the kingdom.
Witnesses: Alexander of St. Martin, William Giffard, William Capon,
Winemer, Richard de Rising, Robert of Newham, Reginald son of the
husband, Reginald White.
3. Charter of
Countess Ada concerning the Entire Land of Pethmulin
Ada, Countess, mother of the King of Scots. To all sons of Holy Mother
Church. To present and future generations, greeting. Know ye that I have
given and granted and by this my charter confirmed to God and the Church
of Saint Andrew and the canons serving God there and their guest-house
(hospitality), the entire land of Pethmulin which Malefus held, just as
Hugh Giffard and the rest of my trustworthy men perambulated (walked the
boundaries of) the same land. [This is] perpetual alms. Furthermore, I
grant to them common pasture in Mohora. Wherefore I will and command
that the aforesaid canons hold and possess the aforementioned land quiet
and free from all secular service, and as any alms are best, most
freely, and most quietly given and held in the entire kingdom of the
king my son. Witnesses: Hugh Giffard, Alexander of St. Martin, Radulf de
Ver, William de Mortemer, William de Montfort, Thomas de Morham, Hugh de
Balliol, Radulf son of Fausarius (the Blacksmith), Richard de Rising,
Robert of Newham, Maurice.
4. Charter: Grant of a Mark of Silver from Pethmulin
Ada, Countess, mother of the King of Scots, to the sons of holy mother
church, greeting. Let present and future generations know that I have
given and granted and by this our charter confirmed to God and Saint
Andrew the Apostle and the canons serving in fee at Coldingham, one mark
of silver in perpetuity in alms for the soul of Earl Henry my husband,
and for the salvation of my soul and for the souls of all my ancestors
and successors. I gave this alms for the work of the new church. And
when it shall be completed, I gave the same alms perpetually for the
lights of the same church. Lest therefore this alms should fail in the
future: I will and firmly command that Maleful of Pethmulin in the Fyra
of Karel shall render that mark of silver annually to the aforesaid
canons from that land which he holds of me. Namely, one half at the
Feast of Saint John the Baptist and the other half at the Feast of Saint
Martin. Whosoever shall hold that land which the other Maleful holds
after him, shall discharge that debt. Witnesses: Hugh Giffard, Alexander
of St. Martin, Hugh de Balliol, William the Chaplain, William Giffard,
Henry de Grēd, Stephen Balliol.
Joannis de Fordun Scotichronicon; cum supplementis et
continuatione Walteri Boweri vol 1 p347 (1759)
Ada
etiam comitiſſa conjunx fratris ſui Henrici, poſt obitum mariti, ad
inſtigationem, ut dicitur, ejuſdem abbatis Walthevi, Ciſtertienſis
ordinis fundavit monaſterium monialium de Haddingtona.
This roughly translates as:
Countess Ada,
also consort of her brother Henry, after the death of her husband,
founded the monastery of nuns of Haddington, of the Cistercian order, at
the instigation, as is said, of the same abbot Walthew.
Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835)
Anno M.c.xxxix. … Pax faƈta eſt inter duos
reges inſtantia regine, et Norhimbria data eſt Henrico filio regis
Dauid. Henricus comes duxit Ade commetiſſam filiam Willelmi comitis de
Warena, ſororem Willelmi junioris et Rodberti comitis de Liceſtria, et
Waleranni comitis de Mellent, cujus mater fuit ſoror Radulfi comitis
de Perona, regis Francorum conſanguinea.
This roughly translates as:
In the year
1139. … Peace was made between the two kings at the insistence of the
queen, and Northumbria was given to Henry, son of King David. Earl Henry
married Ada, the countess, daughter of William, Earl of Warenne, sister
of William the younger and Rodbert, Earl of Leicester, and Waleran, Earl
of Mellent, whose mother was the sister of Ralph, Earl of Peronne, a
blood relative of the King of the Franks.
John of Fordun’s Chronicle of the Scottish nation pp223-4
(ed. William F. Skene, 1872)
… KING
David’s son, Henry, Earl of Northumberland and Huntingdon, took Ada to
wife, the daughter of the elder, and sister of the younger, William,
Earl of Warenne, and sister of Robert, Earl of Leicester, and of
Waleran, Count of Melent (Melun). Her mother was the sister of Radulf,
Count of Peronne, and cousin to Louis, king of France. By her he had
three sons; namely, Malcolm, the future king of Scotland; David, who was
afterwards Earl of Huntingdon and Garviach; and William, who was also to
be afterwards king—and as many daughters. One, Ada, was given in
marriage to Florence, Count of Holland. The second, Margaret, wedded
Conan, Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond, and bore him a daughter,
named Constance, who was given in marriage to Geoffroy, brother of
Richard, king of England. Of her this Geoffroy begat a son, named
Arthur, who was afterwards drowned at sea, a daughter named Alice, who
conceived of Peter Mauclerk, and bore a son, named John, afterwards Duke
of Brittany, and another daughter, named Eleanor, who perished at sea,
with her brother Arthur. Earl Henry’s third daughter, Matilda, moreover,
departed this life in the same year as her father.
Annals of Scotland vol 1 p104 (David
Dalrymple, 1797)
1152.
The children of Prince Henry, by his wife Ada. were MALCOLM,
born in 1142; WILLIAM, born in 1143; David Earl of
Huntington, born in 1144‡; Ada or Elda, married in 1161, to Florence
Count of Holland; Margaret, married in 1160, to Conan IV. Duke of
Britany *; Matildis, who died unmarried.
‡ Andrew Winton, MS. Chr. Advocates Library,
affirms, that David Earl of Huntington was elder than his brother
William. The fame thing is mentioned by Bowmaker, the interpolator of
Fordun, L. v. c. 43. I can give no probable account of the origin of
this fiction
* She afterwards married Bohun Earl of Hereford. In the claim of
Robert de Pinkeny, [1291] ſhe is called Marjery, See Foedera,
T. ii. p. 576.
The Complete Peerage vol 6 p642 (George
Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Vicary Gibbs, 1926)
HUNTINGDON
EARLDOM.
IV. 1136.
4. HENRY OF SCOTLAND, yr. s., was b.
about 1114, and suc. as EARL OF HUNTINGDON
on his father’s resignation of the Earldom in 1136. … He m. Ada
(or Adeline), da. of William (DE WARENNE),
EARL OF SURREY, by Isabel, da. of Hugh, COUNT
OF VERMANDOIS.(i) He d. v.p.,
12 June 1152, and was bur. at Kelso. His widow d. in
1178,(l) having in that year founded the Nunnery of
Haddington.(m)
(i) Vita et Passio, p. 20. For the mother see
Will. of Jumieges, bk. 8, c. 40; Chron. de Mailros (Bannatyne
Club), p. 171.
(l) Chron. de Mailros, ut supra, p. 89.
(m) Fordun, p. 569. Of their 3 sons, the two elder,
Malcolm and William, became successively Kings of Scotland and Earls of
Huntingdon, and David, the youngest, became Earl of Huntingdon also.
They had 3 daughters: (1) Ada, m. Florence, Count of Holland, in
1162 [Holyrood Chron. (Wharton, vol. i, p. 162)]; (2) Margaret, m.,
in 1159, Conan IV, Duke of Brittany, and was mother of Constance of
Brittany (Chron. de Mailros, p. 77; Roger of Wendover,
vol. ii, p. 329); (3) Maud, d. unm., in 1152 (Fordun, p. 451)
The Complete Peerage vol 9 p706 (George
Edward Cokayne, enlarged by H. A. Doubleday, 1936)
NORTHUMBERLAND
EARLDOM.
I. 1139
1. HENRY (of Scotland), EARL OF HUNTINGDON,
only s. and h. ap. of David I, KING OF SCOTLAND,
by Maud, eld. da. and coheir of Waltheof, EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND,
HUNTINGDON and NORTHAMPTON, by Judith his
wife, da. of Lambert, COUNT OF LENS, by
the Conqueror’s sister Adelaide, b. about 1114. He m.
Adag, da. of William (DE WARENNE),
EARL OF SURREY, by Isabel, da. of Hugh, COUNT
OF VERMANDOIS. He d. v.p., 12 ]une
1152. For further particulars see HUNTINGDON.
(g) Charters of Ada the Countess to Hexham, &c.,
are printed by Hodgson, Hist. of Northumberland, pt. ii, vol. 3,
p. 17; see also Reg. de Dryburgh, pp. 10, 69; Wardon
Cartulary (Beds Hist. Rec. Soc.), no. 340 b.
People of Medieval Scotland
(Ada de Warenne (d.1178), countess of Northumberland)
Ada was born around 1123, the daughter of William
(II) de Warenne, earl of Surrey (d.1138), and his wife, Isabel de
Vermandois (d.1147) widow of Robert de Beaumont, count of Meulan and earl
of Leicester (d.1118), and daughter of Hugues le Grand, count of
Vermandois, and granddaughter of Henri I of France. Ada had three
brothers, William (III) de Warenne (d.1148), Ralph and Reginald
(d.1178/79), and one sister, Gundreda, who married Roger, earl of Warwick
(d.1153). Her mother had produced eight children by her first marriage, so
Ada's had extensive family networks in England. She married Henry, prince
of Scotland, son of David I (d.1152) in April 1139, making her also
countess of Northumberland. She was mother to two kings of Scots, Malcolm
IV and William I, and also to David, earl of Huntingdon (d.1219). The
couple also had three daughters: Ada (d. 1205), who married Florence
(III), count of Holland; Margaret (d.1201), who married Conan (IV), duke
of Brittany (d.1171), and Humphrey (III) de Bohun of Trowbridge (d.1181);
and Matilda (Maud) (d.in infancy, 1152). Ada died in 1178. Her estates
included Tynedale at Whitfield (near Hexham), and Harringworth and
Kempston in the honour of Huntingdon. Her dower estates included the
burghs and shires of Haddington and Crail.
1178
Joannis de Fordun Scotichronicon; cum supplementis et
continuatione Walteri Boweri vol 1 p475 (1759)
MCLXXVIII
… Ada comitiſſa, mater regis Willelmi, quæ fundavit monaſterium
monialium de Haddinton, obierunt.
This roughly translates as:
1178 … Countess
Ada, mother of king William, who founded the monastery of nuns at
Haddinton, died.
Chronica de Mailros p89 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835)
Anno M.c.lxxviij. … Obiit Adac
comitiſſa, mater Malcolmi et Willelmi regum Scottorum, comitis Dauid.
c She was the daughter of the earl of Warren and
Surrey.
This roughly translates as:
In the year 1782 … Countess Ada, mother of Malcolm and William, kings of
Scots, and Earl David, died.
- Gesta Normannorum ducum (Guillaume de
Jumièges - Torigny) book VIII p332; Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835); John of Fordun’s Chronicle of the Scottish nation
pp223-4 (ed. William F. Skene, 1872); The Complete Peerage vol 6 p642
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Vicary Gibbs, 1926)
- A history of Northumberland part 2 vol 3
pp17-8 (John Hodgson, 1820); Holinshed’s Chronicle of England, Scotland and
Ireland vol 5 p289 (ed. Raphaell Hollindshead, 1808); John of Fordun’s Chronicle of the Scottish nation
p224 (ed. William F. Skene, 1872)
- Holinshed’s Chronicle of England, Scotland and
Ireland vol 5 p289 (ed. Raphaell Hollindshead, 1808); John of Fordun’s Chronicle of the Scottish nation
p224 (ed. William F. Skene, 1872); People
of Medieval Scotland (Ada de Warenne (d.1178), countess of
Northumberland)
- A history of Northumberland part 2 vol 3
pp17-8 (John Hodgson, 1820); Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia
pp207-9 (1841); Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835); John of Fordun’s Chronicle of the Scottish nation
pp223-4 (ed. William F. Skene, 1872); Joannis de Fordun Scotichronicon; cum supplementis
et continuatione Walteri Boweri vol 1 p347 (1759); The Complete Peerage vol 6 p642
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Vicary Gibbs, 1926); People
of Medieval Scotland (Ada de Warenne (d.1178), countess of
Northumberland); Medieval
Lands (ADA de Warenne); wikipedia
(Ada de Warenne)
- Joannis de Fordun Scotichronicon; cum supplementis
et continuatione Walteri Boweri vol 1 p475 (1759); Chronica de Mailros p89 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835); The Complete Peerage vol 6 p642
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Vicary Gibbs, 1926)
William de Warenne
William de Warenne
see his entry in DNB
Gundrada
see her entry in DNB
Isabel
see Dictionary of national biography vol 59 p374
(ed. Sidney Lee, 1899) for Isabel's father, 1st marriage, earlier children,
death date, burial; see Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835) for Isabel's brother
2nd Earl of Surrey
William succeeded his father as earl of Surrey in 1088.
Early
Yorkshire Charters vol 8 is focused on the Honour of Warenne.
The volume contains extensive information about the family, including a
family tree and biographies of many of its members, including William,
the 2nd Earl. William's charters, #6 through #29, along with some
plates reproducing the original charters, are printed from p62.
An example, #12, is shown below and in the image alongside.
 |
|
Charter of William de Warenne, 2nd Earl,
gifting land to lewes priory
|
Early Yorkshire Charters vol 8 p70 (Charles
Travis Clay, 1949)
12.
Gift by William de Warenne [second] earl of Surrey to Lewes priory, for
the souls of his parents and the health of himself and Rainald his
brother, of all the land held of him by William de Cailli, and of land
in Shippy [in Tilney All Saints, Norfolk], ‘Salingeford’ [Norfolk] and
the marsh of Lynn, of 2 hides held of him by Walter de Grandcourt in
Willingham [co. Cambridge], and land of his demesne near Chailey
[Sussex]. [1088-1118]
PLATE III
Original charter, P.R.O. Anc. Deed A. 10988; pd. in Cat. Anc. Deeds, v, 75. Lewes Chartulary, f. 18
(without witnesses); translation in S.R.S., i, 29.
Notum sit tam presentibus quam
futuris quod ego Willelmus de Warenna comes Sudreie dono Deo et
sanctis apostolis eius Petro et Paulo ad locum sancti Pancratii pro
anima patris mei et matris mee et mea ipsius et Rainaldi fratris mei
salute . omnem terram quam Willelmus de Caili de me tenet . et illam
terram quam habuer[unt] idem monachi in Sipea[m] que reddit xvi
solidos . et illud quod habebam in Salingeford et in marisco de Luna
xvi solidatas . ac illas duas iddas quas Walterius de Grandcurt tenet
de me in Welingeha[m] . et omnem terram quam Stangrinus presbiter de
me tenet . ac quicquid habebam in dominio meo a ponte Bouehorne usque
Ceagelie ab orientali uia siue in terra seu in silua usque ad uiam
iuxta pontem de Hamwde?® Rad[ulfi] de Querceto; Testes sunt* Rodgerius
de Glowecestrre et frater eius Hosbertus Godefred[us] de Petraponte .
Ricard[us] de Warenna Hogo de Greniosa uilla . Rodbertus de Buseuilla.
Tag for seal.
Endorsed: VI. C.iij. Also in different medieval hands: (i) de
Willelmo de Caili et Staingrio presbitero et multis alus; (ii)
Welingeby et Salyngeford; (iii) W. com’ Warenn.’
Dictionary of national biography vol 59 pp374-5
(ed. Sidney Lee, 1899)
WARENNE
or WARREN, WILLIAM DE, second EARL OF
SURREY (d. 1138), elder son of William de Warenne
(d. 1088) [q. v.], by his wife Gundrada [q. v.], succeeded his
father as earl of Surrey in 1088, and is frequently described as
‘Willelmus comes de Warenna’ (see ROUND, Geoffrey de
Mandeville, p. 321). In January 1091 he helped Hugh (d.
1094) [q. v.] of Grantmesnil to defend Courcy against Robert de Bellême
[q. v.] and Duke Robert (ORDERIC, p. 692). About 1093-4
he sought to marry Matilda (1080-1118) [q. v.], or Edith, daughter of
Malcolm III [q. v.], king of Scots, who married Henry I. This marriage
may have been at the bottom of the earl’s hatred of Henry; he mocked at
the king’s love of hunting and called him ‘Harts-foot’ [see HENRY
I], and in 1101 shared in inciting Duke Robert to invade England (ORDERIC,
p. 785). He joined Robert on his landing. He was disinherited, and
accompanied the duke back to Normandy (ib. p. 788). The duke’s
visit to England in 1103 is said to have been made at the instigation of
the earl, who prayed Robert to intercede for him that he might be
restored to his earldom, saying that it brought him in a revenue of
1,000l. Henry restored him, and from that time he was the king’s
faithful adherent and trusted friend (ib. pp. 804-5). Henry
contemplated giving him one of his natural daughters in marriage, but
was dissuaded by Anselm [q. v.], who urged that the earl and the lady
were within the prohibited degrees, the earl being in the fourth and the
king’s daughter in the sixth generation (ANSELM, Epistolœ,
iv. 84; Anselm’s reckoning would match the descent assigned to William
de Warenne (d. 1088) [q. v.] as great-grandson of the father of
Gunnor).
At the battle of Tinchebray in 1106 the earl commanded the third
division of the king’s army, and when the castle of Elias de St. Saens
on the Varenne was taken in 1108 Henry gave it to him. He fought in the
battle of Brenneville, or Brémule, on 20 Aug. 1119, and is said to have
encouraged the king in his determination to take a personal share in the
combat (ORDERIC, pp. 853-4). He was with the king at his
death at the castle of Lions on 1 Dec. 1135, and was appointed governor
of Rouen and the district of Caux by the chief men of the duchy (ib.
p. 901). In 1136 he attended the court held by Stephen at Westminster,
and subsequently attested the king’s charter of liberties at Oxford (ROUND,
Geoffrey de Mandeville, pp. 262-3). He is said to have died in
that year (ROB. DE TORIGNI, a. 1136); but
as he was alive in 1137—for in that year his son, William de Warenne III
[q. v.], was styled ‘juvenis’ (ORDERIC, p. 910)—it is
safe to accept the authority of the manuscript register of Lewes priory
(f. 105), which dates his death 11 May 1138. He was buried with his
father in the chapter-house of Lewes.
He married the beautiful Elizabeth, or Isabel, daughter of Hugh
the Great, count of Vermandois, a son of Henry I of France, and widow of
Robert de Beaumont (d. 1118) [q. v.], count of Meulan, from whom
he carried her off while Robert was still living, though she was the
mother of eight children (HEN. HUNT. De
Contemptu Mundi, sect. 8). She died on 13 Feb. 1131, and was
buried at Lewes. By her he had three sons and two daughters, William de
Warenne (d. 1148) [q. v.], Reginald, and Ralph (for Ralph see Monasticon,
v. 15; the editors are mistaken in heading Charter No. xi., in which the
grantor speaks of Ralph ‘frater meus,’ as given by William de Warenne (d.
1138), as may be seen by the teste, one of the witnesses being
Ascelin, bishop of Rochester, who was not consecrated until 1142; the
charter was therefore given by William de Warenne (d. 1148), and
Ralph was his brother). Reginald was assured in the possession of the
castles of Bellencombre and Mortemer by the agreement made between
Stephen and Duke Henry (Henry II) in 1153, the rest of the Warenne
inheritance passing to Stephen’s son William (d. 1159) (Fœdera,
i. 18); Reginald was one of the persecutors of Archbishop Thomas in
1170, and became a wealthy baron by his marriage with Adeline or Alice,
daughter and sole heir of William de Wormegay in Norfolk (WATSON,
i. 67, following CAMDEN, Britannia, col. 393, ed.
Gibson, maintains that the lord of Wormegay was Reginald, son of William
de Warenne, d. 1088, because in Reginald’s charter to St. Mary
Overy, Southwark—Monasticon, vi. 171— he speaks of ‘Isabella
comitissa domina mea’ as a different person from his mother, but the
Isabella of the charter was doubtless the grantor’s niece, the daughter
of William de Warenne, d. 1148). By Adeline Reginald had a son
William, who founded the priory of Wormegay (ib. vi. 591), and
left as his sole heir his daughter Beatrice, who married (1) Dodo, lord
Bardolf, and (2) Hubert de Burgh [q. v.], earl of Kent. Earl William’s
two daughters were Gundrada, who married (1) Roger de Beaumont, earl of
Warwick, and in 1153 expelled Stephen’s garrison from the castle of
Warwick and surrendered it to Henry; and (2) William, called Lancaster,
baron of Kendal, and, it is said, a third husband: and Ada or Adeline,
who in 1139 married Henry of Scotland [q.v.], son of David I. He made
many grants to the priory of Lewes, and was regarded as its second
founder (Manuscript Register of Lewes; SIR G. DUCKETT,
Charters and Records of Cluni), completed the foundation of the
priory of Castle Acre begun by his father, and made grants to the abbey
of Grestein in Normandy and to the ‘infirm brethren’ of Bellencombre (Monasticon,
vi.,1113).
[Authorities cited in text.] W. H.
The Encyclopaedia Britannica 11th edition vol
28 p324 (ed. Hugh Chisholm, 1911)
WARENNE,
EARLS. The Warennes derived their surname from the river of
Guarenne or Varenne and the little town of the same name near Arques in
Normandy. William de Warenne, who crossed with William I. in 1066, was a
distant cousin of the Conqueror … Both he and his successors were more
commonly styled Earl Warenne than earl of Surrey. His wife Gundrada,
described on her monument as stirps ducum, appears to have been
a sister of Gharbod, earl of Chester.
Their son William, 2nd earl (c. 1071-1138), was a suitor
for the hand of Matilda of Scotland, afterwards queen of Henry I. He was
temporarily deprived of his earldom in 1101 for his support of Robert,
duke of Normandy, but he commanded at the battle of Tenchebrai (1106),
and was governor of Rouen in 1135. He carried off Elizabeth of
Vermandois, granddaughter of Henry I. of France, and wife of Robert,
count of Meulan, and married her in 1118 after her husband’s death.
The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953)
SURREY
EARLDOM.
II. 1088.
2. WILLIAM (DE WARENNE)
II, EARL OF SURREY, 1st s. and h. by 1st
wife, usually styled EARL DE WARENNE.(c)
In 1090 he fought in Normandy against Robert de Bellême (afterwards 3rd
Earl of Shrewsbury), who was supported by Duke Robert,(d)
Shortly after 1093 he sought unsuccessfully to marry Maud, da. of
Malcolm III, King of Scotland.(e) He was with Henry I at
Windsor on 3 Sep. 1101,(f) but later in that autumn he went
with Duke Robert to Normandy and supported him against the King, who
confiscated his inheritance in England; however, in 1103 the Duke induced
Henry to restore his English Earldom.(g) In 1106 he commanded
a division of the royal army at the battle of Tinchebrai.(h)
In 1109 he was at a Great Council at Nottingham;(i) and in
1110 he was a surety for the performance of the treaty with the Count of
Flanders.(j) In 1111 he was one of the nobles sitting in
judgement in Normandy.(k) He commanded a division of the
royal army at the battle of Brémule in 1119.(l) In 1131 he
attended the Council at Northampton.(m) He was present at the
death of Henry I on 1 Dec. 1135 at Lyons-la-Forét; after which the
councillors put him in charge of the district of Rouen and the pays de
Caux.(n) Later he went to England, and he was at Westminster
with Stephen at Easter 1136.(o) He was probably still living
in June 1137(p) He was a benefactor, or confirmed previous
benefactions, to the abbeys of St. Evroul and St. Amand (Rouen), and the
priories of Lewes, Castle Acre, Wymondham, Longueville and
Bellencombre.(a) Henry I had proposed to marry William to one
of his illegitimate daughters, but on Archbishop Anselm’s objection this
match was abandoned on the ground of affinity.(b) William
eventually m. Isabel (or Elizabeth), widow of Robert (DE
BEAUMONT), COUNT OF MEULAN
and 1st EARL OF LEICESTER (d. 5
June 1118),(c) da. of Hugh DE CRÉPI
(styled “the Great”), COUNT OF VERMANDOIS(d)
(yr. s. of HENRY I, KING OF FRANCE),
by Adelaide, da. and h. of Herbert, COUNT OF VERMANDOIS
and VALOIS. He d. probably 11 May 1138(e)
and was bur. at his father’s feet in the chapter-house at Lewes.(f)
Isabel surv. him and with the consent of her s. the 3rd Earl gave the
church of Dorking to Lewes priory.(g) She d. probably
before July 1147.(h)
(c) “Comes de Warenna” or “Comes Warenne.” In a few
charters he uses the style of Earl of Surrey. For details see E.Y.C.,
vol. viii, p. 8, notes 9-11.
(d) Orderic, vol. iii, p. 362.
(e) Ibid, p. 400. She became the 1st wife of
King Henry I.
(f) When he witnessed 3 royal charters (E.Y.C.,
vol. viii, p. 7).
(g) Orderic, vol. iv, pp. 104, 110, 116, 161-63.
(h) Idem, pp. 225, 229.
(i) Cal. Charter Rolls, vol. v, p. 454;
Farrer, Outline Itinerary of Henry I, nos. 230, 231
(j) At Dover (Foedera, vol. i, pt. 1, p. 6; Liber
Niger Scaccarii, ed. Hearne, vol. i, p. 23).
(k) Haskins, Norman Institutions, p. 92.
(l) He had encouraged Henry to fight when William [de
Tancarville] the Chamberlain urged him to retreat (Orderic, vol. iv, pp.
356-57). His alleged speech to the King before the battle is given in Chron.
Mon. de Hida, pp. 316-17.
(m) Round, Geoffrey de Mandaville, p. 265.
(n) Orderic, vol. v, pp. 50, 52.
(o) Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, pp. 262-63;
on this Easter court cf. Idem, pp. 16-18
(p) When his s. and h. is styled “Guillelmum juvenem
de Guarenna” by Orderic, vol. v, p. 85, which probably implies that his
son was not yet Earl of Surrey; E.Y.C., vol. viii, p. 8.
(a) Idem, p. 9, and charters on pp. 62-81.
(b) Migne, Patrologia, vol. clix—Epist. S.
Anselmi, lib. iv, ep. 84; cf. ante, vol. xi, Appendix D,
pp. 119-20; E.Y.C., vol. viii, pp. 41-43.
(c) According to Henry of Huntingdon, De Contemptu
Mundi (Rolls Ser., p. 307), the death of Isabel’s 1st husband was
hastened by an (unnamed) Earl carrying her off, by force or fraud. The
truth of this story is open to question, cf. ante, vol. vii, p.
526, note “d.”
(d) Will. de Juinieges, ed. Marx (Soc. de l’Hist. de
Normandie), p. 332—additions by R. de Torigny; Orderic, vol. iii, p.
480; vol. iv, p. 169; cf. ante, vol. vii, p. 526, note “b.”
(e) See the discussion on this date in E.Y.C.,
vol. viii, p. 8, note (7).
(f) Idem, p. 8, citing the Lewes Chartulary.
(g) Idem, p. 9. He left 3 sons: William, 3rd
Earl, Ralph, and Rainald, ancestor of the Warennes of Wormegay (Idem,
pp. 26-35); and 2 daughters: (1) Gundred, who m., 1stly, Roger
(de Beaumont), 2nd Earl of Warwick; 2ndly, (as his 2nd wife), William de
Lancaster; (2) Ada, who m. Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, s. of
David I, King of Scotland, by whom she was mother of Malcolm IV and
William the Lion, Kings of Scotland.
(h) I.e. before her s. William, 3rd Earl, went
on crusade in June 1147; see E.Y.C., vol. viii, pp. 9, 91. On 17
Feb., according to the Obituary of St. Nicaise (Recueil der Chartes
de Saint-Nicoise de Meulan, ed. Houth, p. 192).
Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835)
Anno M.c.xxxix. … Henricus comes duxit Ade
commetiſſam filiam Willelmi comitis de Warena, ſororem Willelmi
junioris et Rodberti comitis de Liceſtria, et Waleranni comitis de
Mellent, cujus mater fuit ſoror Radulfi comitis de Perona, regis
Francorum conſanguinea.
This roughly translates as:
In the year
1139. … Earl Henry married Ada, the countess, daughter of William, Earl
of Warenne, sister of William the younger and Rodbert, Earl of
Leicester, and Waleran, Earl of Mellent, whose mother was the sister of
Ralph, Earl of Peronne, a blood relative of the King of the Franks.
11 May 1138
Chapter-house at Lewes
Priory, Sussex, England
- Dictionary of national biography vol 59
p374 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899); The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 p495
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953)
- Dictionary of national biography vol 59
p374 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899); The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953)
- Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835); Dictionary of national biography vol 59
pp374-5 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899); The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953); wikipedia
(William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey)
- Dictionary of national biography vol 59
p374 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899); The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953)
- Early Yorkshire Charters vol 8; Dictionary of national biography vol 59
pp374-5 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899); The Encyclopaedia Britannica 11th edition vol
28 p324 (ed. Hugh Chisholm, 1911); The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953); Chronica de Mailros p71 (ed. Joseph
Stevenson, 1835); Medieval
Lands (WILLIAM [II] de Warenne); wikipedia
(William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey)
- Dictionary of national biography vol 59
p374 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899), citing the manuscript register of
Lewes priory; The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953)
- Dictionary of national biography vol 59
p374 (ed. Sidney Lee, 1899); The Complete Peerage vol 12 part 1 pp495-6
(George Edward Cokayne, enlarged by Geoffrey H. White, 1953)
Return to Chris Gosnell's Home Page
If you have any comments, additions or modifications to the information on this page, please feel free to email me.
Created and maintained by: chris@ocotilloroad.com