John de Warren (Seventh Earl).

In the 2nd of Edward I., the King was most honourably entertained by this Earl at his Castle of Reigate for several days; and at his coronation, De Warren turned loose five hundred great horses for any one that could catch them. In a MS. in the Herald’s Office, denominated “Records of the Tower,” it is said that an Inquisition was taken in the 4th Edward I., touching the value of the tythes of this Earl. This enquiry affected his tythes, tolls, market, &c., in the Town of Wakefield, in Yorkshire, and most of his property in the south.

In the sixth of the same reign, in virtue of a writ “Quo Warranto,” the daring spirit of this intrepid nobleman was again roused. The King having need of money, and being conscious that during the anarchy of civil commotion many charters had been lost, and much property acquired by means not the most honourable, he caused an enquiry to be instituted, and amongst others, our Earl was summoned to shew on what authority he held his vast possessions. His answer is given in our introductory discourse, to which we will here add a more expressive one from Watson:—

“Produxit in medium, gladium antiquum evaginatum, et ait, ecce domini mei, ecce meum warrantum! Antecessores mei vero cum Willielmo bastardo venientes, conquesti sunt terras suas gladio, et eas dem gladio defendam a quocunque eas occupare volente; si non enim Rex terrarum per se dicerit, et subjecit, sed progenitores nostri fuerunt cum eo participes, et co-adjutores.”

To which he adds, “This was the original of that motto, which was inscribed about some ancient seals of arms, belonging to the Warrens of Poynton, in Cheshire, viz., ‘Gladio vici, gladio tenebo;’ the last word of which is the present motto of the family.”

About three years subsequently to the event just noticed, he was again required to exhibit by what warrant he “claimed gallows, and assize of bread and beer, and of measures, pleas, de vetito namio; and for shedding of blood and waif at Conisborough; and also by what warrant he claimed to have free warren, and his lands quit from suit in Brampton and elsewhere,” and by what warrant also he refused to permit the King’s bailiffs to enter his lands to perform their offices, except his own bailiffs were present.

“The Earl came and said he claimed gallows at Conisborough and Wakefield, and the power of doing what belonged to a gallows, in all his lands and fees, and that he and all his ancestors had used the same from time immemorial. He claimed to have the assize of bread and beer in the said manors, because there had been a market and one fair at Wakefield from immemorial time; and he had also another fair there by charter of King Henry II., which he produced in evidence. He likewise claimed the assize of bread and beer elsewhere, throughout his whole lands and fees, and the power of punishing transgressors against the same at Wakefield and Conisborough, and that he and his ancestors had used the same from time immemorial.

And, as to the settling of measures, he claimed to have the standard of all measures at Wakefield, from the King’s marshals and bailiffs at their coming, and by that standard to regulate all the measures in all his lands and fees; yet so that the said marshals and bailiffs, at their coming there should have the emendation of all measures where they shall find any transgression; and after their return the said earl and his bailiffs should have the emendation of the same till their next coming; and this he said that he and his ancestors had used time immemorial.

Concerning the pleas ‘de vetito namio,’ he claimed nothing; but claimed to have the pleas for shedding blood in form of single transgression; yet so that there be no appeal from thence, or nothing found against the King’s peace; and this he and his ancestors had used time immemorial. He also laid claim to waifs on the same account. And, as to being quit from suit, he said that he and his ancestors, from time immemorial, were free from suit in all their lands and fees in that county (York), which were of an ancient tenure.”