English Aristocracy. Born an illegitimate son of Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou he was known as Hamelin the Bastard or Hamelin d'Anjou, and was a half-brother of King Henry II of England. He was granted the title of Vicomte de Touraine. In 1164, he was present on the Council of Northampton which tried Thomas Becket and found him guilty of perjury and heresy. That same year, the king arranged his half brother's marriage to one of the wealthiest heiresses in England, Isabella de Warenne, who was in her own right, Countess of Surrey. After the wedding, he adopted his wife's name, and became the 5th Earl of Surrey in right of his wife. The couple had at least five children, they and all their descendants were called de Warenne. In 1173, while Henry II dealt with rebellious sons, his half-brother remained his staunch ally. In 1176 he escorted Princess Joan, his niece, to Sicily for her marriage to King William II. After Henry's death, he participated in the coronation of his nephew Richard I and then in John's coronation. In 1200 he was granted lands at Conisborough, Yorkshire where his seat, Conisbrough Castle, stands. He died at about age 72 and was interred at the Chapter House at Lewes Priory, in Sussex.
English Aristocracy. Born an illegitimate son of Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou he was known as Hamelin the Bastard or Hamelin d'Anjou, and was a half-brother of King Henry II of England. He was granted the title of Vicomte de Touraine. In 1164, he was present on the Council of Northampton which tried Thomas Becket and found him guilty of perjury and heresy. That same year, the king arranged his half brother's marriage to one of the wealthiest heiresses in England, Isabella de Warenne, who was in her own right, Countess of Surrey. After the wedding, he adopted his wife's name, and became the 5th Earl of Surrey in right of his wife. The couple had at least five children, they and all their descendants were called de Warenne. In 1173, while Henry II dealt with rebellious sons, his half-brother remained his staunch ally. In 1176 he escorted Princess Joan, his niece, to Sicily for her marriage to King William II. After Henry's death, he participated in the coronation of his nephew Richard I and then in John's coronation. In 1200 he was granted lands at Conisborough, Yorkshire where his seat, Conisbrough Castle, stands. He died at about age 72 and was interred at the Chapter House at Lewes Priory, in Sussex.
Bio by: Iola
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