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Isabel De Warenne4th Countess of Surrey
Date of Birth: 01.01.1136
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Lineage and Inheritance
- Marriage to William de Blois
- A Royal Alliance
- The Earl of Surrey
- Legacy and Descendants
- Children of Isabella de Warenne
- - Isabella: Married twice, to Robert de Lacy and Gilbert de l'Aigle.
Isabella de Warenne, 4th Countess of Surrey: A Life of Nobility and Alliance
Lineage and Inheritance
Isabella de Warenne was the daughter of William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey, and Adela de Montgomery. Upon her father's untimely demise during the Second Crusade in 1148, Isabella became the sole heiress to one of the wealthiest and most powerful noble families in England.
Marriage to William de Blois
In 1153, Isabella was married to William de Blois, the younger son of King Stephen of England. Through this marriage, William gained significant lands and wealth, making him one of the richest barons in the realm. However, the marriage was short-lived, as William passed away in 1159 without producing any children.
A Royal Alliance
In 1162, King Henry II sought to strengthen his reign by arranging for his younger brother, Guy, to marry Isabella de Warenne. However, the union was met with opposition from Archbishop Thomas Becket due to canon law restrictions, and the marriage was ultimately prevented.
The Earl of Surrey
Undeterred, Henry II instead arranged for Isabella to marry his illegitimate half-brother, Hamelin Plantagenet, who became known as Hamelin de Warenne. The marriage took place in 1164, and Hamelin received the title of Earl of Surrey, though he was more accurately known as jure uxoris, meaning he held the county through the rights of his wife.
Legacy and Descendants
Hamelin and Isabella remained married until his death in 1202. Isabella passed away in either 1199 or 1203, and they were both buried in Lewes Priory in Sussex. Their son, William de Warenne, succeeded them as the 6th Earl of Surrey.
Children of Isabella de Warenne
Isabella had four children from her marriage to Hamelin de Warenne:- Aelina (Ela): Married twice and may have had an illegitimate son with King John.
- Isabella: Married twice, to Robert de Lacy and Gilbert de l'Aigle.
- Matilda: Married twice, to Henry II d'Eu and Henry de Stuteville.- William de Warenne: Inherited the Earldom of Surrey and had a distinguished career as a military commander and statesman.
