Fulk FitzWarin - 1st Baron FitzWarin

Fulk FitzWarin was an English soldier and landowner known for his military service and involvement in the Welsh and Scottish conflicts. He was the fifth of his family to bear the name Fulk.

 

 

Fulk was born in 1251 in Whittington, Shropshire, England, and was the only son of Fulk IV FitzWarin and Constance de Tosny. The FitzWarin family took their name from Guarine (or Warin) de Meez, said to have belonged to the House of Lorraine, who came to England after the Norman Conquest.

Fulk's father died in 1254 when he drowned in the River Ouse, trying to escape the battlefield at the Battle of Lewes. Since Fulk was still a minor, his inheritance and lands were entrusted to Hamo Lestrange. Fulk formally took possession of his estates, including Whittington Castle, in 1273 after paying fealty.

Sometime before February of 1276, Fulk married Margaret de la Pole, daughter of Gruffudd ap Wenwynwyn, Prince of Upper Powys. They had three children, Fulk, Hawise, and William.

Fulk FitzWarin was involved in the strife between the Welsh princes Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Fulk's father had held the manor of Bausley, which had been held by the Corbet family and subsequently taken by Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn. When FitzWarin married Gruffydd's daughter, the manor was restored to FitzWarin. During the conflict, Llywelyn seized Bausley, and after he was driven out, Peter Corbet claimed the manor. To resolve who had the rights to the estate, King Edward I stepped in and awarded it to Fulk FitzWarin. FitzWarin fought alongside the King during the Welsh Wars in 1282 and 1292 and was summoned to Parliament in 1295, where he was dubbed the 1st Baron FitzWarin by writ. Fulk would also fight with Edward during the Scottish Wars of Independence.

On August 10th, 1301, the King ordered Fulk FitzWarin and Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel, to abstain from attacking each other after a long-standing feud when Fulk accused Richard of ravaging his lands at Whittington.

On October 16th, 1313, Fulk was pardoned for any part he had taken against Piers Gaveston, having sided with Thomas of Lancaster.

Fulk FitzWarin died on November 24th, 1315, in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England. He was succeeded by his son, Fulk, as 2nd Baron FitzWarin.