William Warrene, First Earl of Surrey

Through his faithful service to William the Conqueror and his son, William II, William Warrene was able to rise to prominence and acquire a large fortune in post-Norman Conquest England.

Born in a family of lesser Norman nobility which was named by the fortress of Varenne situated on the river between Dieppe and Rouen, William inherited a small amount of land near Rouen along with his elder brother. He was surely acquainted with basic martial skills necessary for survival in a strife torn land, and by the mid-1050’s he became the commander of a Norman army sent to repel the French king and his allies. The mission was successful, and Warrene gained as reward some lands with important castles at Mortemar and Bellencombre by the William Conqueror, the future king of England. Moreover, he became one of the “illustrious nobles” that advised William on military matters. He participated in the famous Battle of Hastings (1066) fought between William and the King Harold II for the English throne. After William seized the throne and returned to Normandy, Warrene was one the four magnates entrusted with the governance of realm in the king’s absence. He continued to serve the King William and his heir for the following 20 years, preventing the rebellions and taming the revolts in the country. For his faithful and efficient service he was granted honors and rewards which made him one of the greatest and wealthiest landlords in England.

Most of his assets were concentrated in Norfolk where he built a manor house at Castle Acre. Eventually, he acquired lands in twelve counties, including Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. Although a loyal subject of the king, he was at the same time devoted to his ambitions and didn’t hesitate to apply different means to increase his fortune. At the end of his life he was named the earl of Surrey.

The last years of his life he spent overseeing his properties and dabbling in charities. In the siege of Pevense he was seriously wounded and died soon afterwards.