John D'Earley

John D’Earley came from a prominent English noble family. His father, William, was Chamberlain to King Henry II (r. 1154-1189), and John’s uncle Thomas was archdeacon of Wells. The family have taken their name from Earley or Erlegh, one of their many manors in Berkshire, and they also possessed substantial holdings in Somerset.

John’s father died when he was only eight years old, and his lands were placed in Royal keeping while John became a ward of his uncle. After John’s uncle died in 1185, King Henry II gave the wardship of the 14 year old John to William Marshal. In 1194, John came into his inheritance, and was knighted, probably by William Marshal. The rest of John’s life was marked by the loyal service to Marshal, he was part of Williams mesnie (household knights) and was married to Sybil – most probably the illegitimate daughter of William Marshal's brother, John.

Both John and William served Richard I (r. 1189-1199), and when the King died in France it was John who was given the task to carry the news to England. In 1202, King John (r. 1199-1216) made d’Earley sheriff of Devonshire. When William fell out of favor with the King in 1208, d’Earley refused an order of the King and stayed loyal to William. The strife between William and the King lasted until 1212. Up until this time d’Earley was rewarded by lands and offices from William, and from then on by the King. In 1212 he was named Marshal of the Royal Household.

John continued to serve loyally to William Marshal until his death in 1219, and carried on by serving William the Younger until he died in 1230.