Fulk Fitz Warin - History

History

Fulk III was the son of Fulk II FitzWarin (died 1197) by Hawise le Dinan, daughter and co-heiress of Josce de Dinan, the holder of Ludlow Castle for the Empress Matilda during the civil war between the latter and King Stephen.

The family had long been struggling to retain the manor of Whittington, of which the crown had deprived them. After his father's death in 1197 Fulk III paid a fine of £100 for his inheritance of the manor, probably as a feudal relief, yet King John granted it instead to Meurig, son of the Welsh nobleman Roger of Powys. This action caused Fulk III to rebel against King John between 1200 and 1203. He was assisted in his rebellion by 52 followers including his brothers William, Phillip and John and by the family's tenants and allies in the Marches. Hubert de Burgh was sent by the king with 100 knights to counter Fulk's rebellion, but the matter was apparently settled amicably as in October 1204 Fulk had recovered Whittington on payment of a fine of 200 marks. The family likewise struggled over a long period to retain the manor of Alveston in Gloucestershire.

Between 1221 and 1226 Fulk III founded Alberbury Priory which he granted to the Augustinian canons of Lilleshall but later transferred it to the Order of Grandmont.

Fulk III married firstly Matilda le Vavasour, daughter of Robert le Vavasour. She was the widow of Theobald Butler, the brother of Archbishop Hubert Walter. He married secondly Clarice d'Auberville. He had two sons and four daughters:

• Fulk IV FitzWarin (d. 1264, drowned at the Battle of Lewes)
• Fulk Glas of Alberbury
• Hawise, wife of William Pantulf, a Marcher Lord
• Joan
• Eva
• Mabel

Fulk III lived to a great age and some time before his death in 1258 handed over control of much of his responsibilities to his son and heir Fulk IV. In 1252 he made his will which stated his wish to be buried at his foundation of Alberbury Priory.