John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey

John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey, was a prominent English nobleman who played a significant role in the political and military affairs of his time. Born in 1286 to William de Warenne and Joan de Vere, he was baptized on 7 November of the same year. His early life was marked by the deaths of his father and grandfather, which led to his lands being taken into the custody of the Crown while he was still a minor. Knighted at the Feast of the Swans in 1306, he participated in the Scottish wars and was embroiled in the political turmoil of Edward II’s reign, including the issues surrounding Piers Gaveston and the baronial opposition led by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. Despite losing a significant portion of his estates to Lancaster, he regained them following Lancaster’s forfeiture. Warenne remained loyal to Edward II until the rise of Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, ultimately urging Edward II’s abdication. He served as the guardian of his cousin Edward Balliol and supported Balliol’s claim to the Scottish throne. John de Warenne died in 1347 at Conisbrough Castle and was buried at the Priory church of St Pancras in Lewes.