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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. Many others were later recorded in the Battle Abbey Roll, a commemorative list of William’s “Companions.” Yet the truth is elusive: the original roll vanished centuries ago, leaving behind only imperfect 16th-century copies and reconstructions, some condemned by historians as “transparent fiction” and “disgusting forgery.”

Still, what cannot be disputed is that William rewarded his loyal followers lavishly. Vast estates were granted to Norman knights, displacing most Anglo-Saxon landowners—except those who secured their survival through strategic marriages to Norman families. In this new order, the Warennes rose to prominence, their influence stretching across England for generations.

In the sections that follow, we will trace the remarkable ascent of this powerful family, from the chaos of conquest to the heights of medieval nobility—a story woven into the very fabric of England’s history.

Section 1: Guillaume de Warenne: The First Earl of Surrey

At the heart of the Warenne story is Guillaume de Varenne—known in English as William de Warenne—the founder of the family’s fortunes and one of William the Conqueror’s most trusted companions. Born around 1040 at Varennes, near Arques-la-Bataille in the Duchy of Normandy, William was the second son of Rodolph (Ralph) de Varennes, feudal Lord of Varennes. His elder brother, Radulph, inherited the family’s Norman lands, leaving William to seek his fortune through service to their overlord.

As a young man, William distinguished himself in the service of Duke William of Normandy. His reward was substantial: Norman lands confiscated from Roger de Mortemer, including a castle, and later additional estates at Bellencombre. These early acquisitions marked the beginning of a career that would culminate in extraordinary wealth and influence.

At Hastings and Beyond

While the precise details of William’s role at Hastings remain uncertain, contemporary chronicles and later records consistently place him among the elite circle of Norman nobles who fought for the Conqueror on that fateful day in October 1066. His loyalty and prowess did not go unrewarded. In the sweeping redistribution of land that followed the conquest, William emerged as one of the greatest beneficiaries.

King William granted him extensive holdings across thirteen counties, including manors in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Yorkshire. His major seats became Castle Acre in Norfolk, his principal home, and Conisbrough near Doncaster, where he built another formidable castle. Among his most notable possessions was the Manor of Wakefield, a sprawling estate that would remain central to the Warenne legacy.

Family Alliances

Around 1066, William had married Gundred, a Flemish-born noblewoman, daughter of Gherbod the Fleming and sister of Gerbod, 1st Earl of Chester. Intriguingly, some documents refer to Gundred as William the Conqueror’s “daughter,” sparking centuries of speculation about her true parentage. This was due to a persistent myth stemming from a forged charter, but modern historians widely agree she was the daughter of the Gherbod. It is possible that Gundred may have been under the King’s guardianship—a sign of the Warenne family’s close ties to the royal household.

William and Gundred had three known children:

• William II de Warenne (c.1067– 11th May 1138), who inherited his father’s English estates and was buried at Lewes Priory.
• Reginald de Warenne (d.1117), who inherited the Norman lands and became an adherent of Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy.
• Edith de Warenne, who married first Gerard de Gournay and later Drew de Monchy.

By the late 1070s, Guillaume and his wife Gundred undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, visiting monasteries along the way. Inspired by their journey, they founded Lewes Priory on their return—a Cluniac house that became a centre of spiritual life in Sussex.

After Gundred’s death in childbirth on 27 May 1085, Guillaume remarried a sister of Richard Guet, who outlived him.

Power and Piety

William’s influence extended far beyond landownership. He became a key figure in consolidating Norman authority, overseeing the construction of castles and the establishment of feudal governance. His seat at Lewes Castle in Sussex became a symbol of his prominence, and his patronage of religious houses—including the founding of Lewes Priory—reflected both his wealth and his piety.

He continued to serve King William loyally, fighting against the rebel Hereward the Wake in 1071, when Hereward is said to have unhorsed him with an arrow. In 1067, William was among those entrusted with governing England during the King’s absence in Normandy. Later, as joint justiciar with Richard de Clare during the Revolt of the Earls in 1075, he played a decisive role in crushing the rebellion.

Final Years and Legacy

When William the Conqueror died in 1087, his lands were divided: Normandy went to his eldest son, Robert Curthose, while England passed to William Rufus. This division sparked conflict between the brothers, and William de Warenne remained a staunch supporter of William Rufus. In recognition of his loyalty and status, William was created the 1st Earl of Surrey, probably at Easter 1088—a title that would endure for centuries.

William’s life ended violently. Wounded during the First Siege of Pevensey Castle in 1088, he was carried back to Lewes, where he died on 24 June 1088, aged around 48–50. He was buried beside Gundred in the chapter house of Lewes Priory—a fitting resting place for a man who had risen from knightly service to become one of the richest and most powerful magnates in England.

A Lasting Influence

William de Warenne’s story is emblematic of the new Norman aristocracy: warriors who crossed the Channel as knights and returned as magnates, reshaping England’s social and political fabric. Through strategic alliances, royal favour, and sheer ambition, the Warenne family secured a position at the very heart of medieval power—a position that would influence English, and Yorkshire, history for generations.

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Coming soon: Section 2: William, Second Earl Warenne of Surrey and his wife Isabel (Elizabeth) de Vermandois