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Section Two: William II de Warenne, Second Earl of Surrey and his wife Isabel de Vermandois
8 minutes read time Growing Power and Influence When Guillaume de Warenne, the first Earl of Surrey died, in 1088, his vast English estates in Sussex, Norfolk and Yorkshire, plus his Norman lands at Bellancombre and Mortemer, passed to his eldest son, William II de Warenne. He would hold the earldom for 50 years (apart from a 2-year break) until his death. Aged around 18-20 when his father died, William II inherited not only land and wealth but also the noble title of his father. William II had grown up in a world transformed by conquest. His father’s loyalty to the crown had secured the Warenne family’s place among the…
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The History of the Warennes of Sandal Castle, Lords of the Manor of Wakefield, from 1066 to their Extinction Following the Elland Feud
6 minute read time Introduction History often comes alive through the stories of families whose fortunes rose or fell as power shifted. My own writing is frequently inspired by family history research, and the tale of the Warenne family, Earls of Surrey and Lords of the Manor of Wakefield, is no exception. This time, however, we journey much further back, to the origins of Norman England. Our story begins in 1066, at the Battle of Hastings, a turning point that reshaped the English landscape and its ruling elite. Among the few Norman nobles positively identified as having fought alongside William the Conqueror were the earliest members of the Warenne family.…
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New Video – The Grey Apple Tree – Causes and Events Leading to the Norman Conquest
As told by the Bayeux Tapestry This updated AV has additional content and is now available in 4K video. The Grey Apple Tree brings to life the gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and the battle that shaped a nation. From the death of Edward the Confessor, through the fierce rivalry of four claimants to the English throne, the story unfolds against the backdrop of one of the most decisive clashes in history—the Battle of Hastings. The battle marked the defeat of King Harold II by William, Duke of Normandy, bringing an end to more than 500 years of Anglo-Saxon rule. This victory established William as King of England and ushered…
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Dying for a Humbug – the Video!
The story of the Bradford arsenic poisonings has already been reported on this website, but I wanted to make a depiction of it as an audio-visual presentation. I’ve had great fun creating the images in historical style and putting it all to music. I do hope you enjoy watching it! If you do, please comment, like and subscribe to the channel ! Link to the Bradford arsenic poisonings full story on my Blog.
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New YouTube Video – The 18th Century Weaver
Richard Wilson’s Long Walk Here’s the short version of Richard’s long walk combined with the Leeds First White Cloth Hall. Enjoy!
