Biography of William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk 1338-1382

Paternal Family Tree: Ufford

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk 1286-1368

1337 Creation of Earls

1337 Battle of Cadzand

1356 Battle of Poitiers

1376 Creation of Garter Knights

Before 09 Sep 1316 [his grandfather] Robert Ufford 1st Baron Ufford (age 37) died. His son [his father] Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 18) succeeded 2nd Baron Ufford.

In 1324 [his father] Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 25) and [his mother] Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 38) were married. She by marriage Baroness Ufford.

1337 Battle of Cadzand

Froissart. 1337When the English saw the town of Cadsant, whither they were bending their course to attack those that were within it, they considered, that, as the wind and tide were in their favour, in the name of God and St. George they would run close up to it. They ordered the trumpets to sound, and each made himself quickly ready; they ranged their vessels, and placing the archers on the prows, made full sail for the town. The sentinels and guards at Cadsant had plainly perceived the approach of this large fleet, and taking it for granted that it must be English, had already armed and placed themselves upon the dykes and the sands, with their banners in their proper position before them. They had also created a number of knights upon the occasion, as many as sixteen: their numbers might be about five thousand, taking all together, very valiant knights and bachelors, as they proved by their deeds. Among them were sir Guy of Flanders, a good knight, but a bastard*, who was very anxious that all in his train should do their duty; sir Dutres de Halluyn, sir John de Rhodes, sir Giles de l'Estrief, sir Simon and sir John de Bouquedent, who were then knighted, and Peter d'Aglemoustier, with many other bachelors and esquires, valiant men at arms. There was no parley between them, for the English were as eager to attack as the Flemings were to defend themselves. The archers were ordered to draw their bows stiff and strong, and to set up their shouts; upon which those that guarded the haven were forced to retire, whether they would or not, for this first discharge did much mischief, and many were maimed and hurt. The English barons and knights then landed, and with battle-axes, swords, and lances, combated their enemies. Many gallant deeds of prowess and courage were done that day:- the Flemings fought valiantly, and the English attacked them in all the spirit of chivalry. The gallant earl of Derby (age 27) proved himself a good knight, and advanced so forward at the first assault, that he was struck down: and then the lord of Manny (age 27) was of essential service to him; for, by his feats of arms, he covered him and raised him up, and placed him out of danger, crying, "Lancaster for the earl of Derby!" They then closed with each other; - many were wounded, but more of the Flemings than of the English; for the English archers made such continual discharges, from the time they landed, that they did them much damage.

The battle was very severe and fierce before the town of Cadsant, for the Flemings were good men, and expert in arms; the earl had selected and placed them there to defend the passage against the English, and they were desirous of performing their duty in every respect» which they did. Of the barons and knights of England, there were, first, the earl of Derby, son of Henry of Lancaster, surnamed Wryneck; the earl of Suffolk, lord Reginald Cobham (age 42), lord Lewis Beauchamp, lord William, son of the earl of Warwick, the lord William Beauclerk, sir Walter Manny, and many others, who most vigorously assaulted the Flemings. The combat was very sharp and well fought, for they were engaged hand to fist; but at length the Flemings were put to the rout, and more than three thousand killed, as well at the haven as in the streets and houses. Sir Guy, the Bastard, of Flanders, was taken prisoner. Of the killed, were sir Dutres de Halluyn, sir John of Rhodes, the two brothers Bonquedent, sir Giles de D'Estrief, and more than twunty-six other knights and esquires. The town was taken and pillaged: and when every thing was put on board the vessels with the prisoners, it was burnt. The English returned without accident to England. The king made the Jord Guy of Flanders pledge his troth, that he would remain a prisoner; hot in the course of the year he turned to the English, and did his homage and fealty to the king.

1337 Creation of Earls

In 1337 King Edward III of England (age 24) created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France ...

William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36) was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.

William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 27) was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.

Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 19) having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 35).

[his father] Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 38) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. [his mother] Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 51) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

On 30 May 1338 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk was born to Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 39) and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 52).

Battle of Poitiers

On 19 Sep 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" (age 26) defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France (age 37) at the Battle of Poitiers

King John "The Good" II of France (age 37) was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.

The the English army included: Bernard Brocas (age 26), Thomas Felton (age 26), James Audley (age 38), [his future father-in-law] Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 43), Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh (age 28), Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham (age 61), Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh (age 21), Ralph Ferrers (age 27), William Scrope (age 31), William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 28), Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh (age 37), [his father] Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 58), William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 18), John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 44), John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby (age 33), Thomas Arderne (age 19), Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos (age 36), Richard Pembridge (age 36), Jean Grailly (age 25), Robert de Fouleshurst (age 26) and John Sully (age 73)

John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 31) probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.

Hugh Courtenay 10th Earl Devon (age 53) protected the baggage train.

The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France (age 37), Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy (age 14), Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche (age 12), Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas (age 26), John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count Eu (age 35); all captured.

Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 33) fought.

Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon (age 45) was killed. His son Louis Bourbon II Duke Bourbon (age 19) succeeded II Duke Bourbon.

Before 1361 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 22) and Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 11) were married. It appears he may later have married her sister Elizabeth Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 16) although there is some uncertainty; an example of Married to Two Siblings. And it true, an example of a brother marrying two sisters, and one of those sisters, Elizabeth Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 16), marrying two brothers? He the son of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 62) and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 74). She a great granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Before 1361 [his brother] Walter Ufford (age 17) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 16) were married. She would later marry his brother William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 22); an example of Married to Two Siblings. He the son of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 62) and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 74). She a great granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Before Jul 1361 [his future wife] Elizabeth Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 17) died.

In or before 08 Oct 1361 John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Somerset (age 31) and [his future sister-in-law] Alice Beauchamp Baroness Beauchamp Somerset were married. She by marriage Baroness Beauchamp Somerset. She the daughter of Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 48) and Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick (age 47). She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

Before 1363 Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford (age 29) and [his future sister-in-law] Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford (age 27) were married. She by marriage Baroness de Clifford. She the daughter of Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 49) and Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick (age 48). They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King John "Lackland" of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

On 02 Apr 1368 [his mother] Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 82) died.

On 04 Nov 1369 [his father] Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 71) died. His son William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk, 3rd Baron Ufford. [his wife] Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 20) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

On 28 Oct 1371 [his son] Robert Ufford and [his daughter-in-law] Eleanor Fitzalan (age 6) were married. She the daughter of Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl Surrey 11th Earl Arundel (age 25) and Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 21). He the son of William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 33) and Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 22). They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

In 1372 Thomas Erpingham (age 17) served under William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 34) and was with Ufford in France in 1373.

Before 1376 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 37) and Isabella Beauchamp Countess Suffolk were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. She the daughter of Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 62) and Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick. He the son of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

1376 Creation of Garter Knights

On 23 Apr 1376 King Edward III of England (age 63) created a number of new Garter Knights ...

54th John Montfort V Duke Brittany (age 37).

55th Thomas Banastre (age 42).

56th William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 37).

57th Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford (age 40).

58th Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent (age 26). He the son of Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 47) whose second husband was Edward III's son Edward "Black Prince" (age 45).

59th Thomas Percy 1st Earl of Worcester (age 33) was appointed 59th. He the son of Mary Plantagenet Baroness Percy daughter of Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster who was the first cousin of Edward III's father King Edward II of England.

60th [his brother-in-law] William Beauchamp 1st Baron Bergavenny (age 33).

On 27 Jun 1376 [his wife] Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk (age 27) died. Her half sister Audrey Montagu 2nd Baroness Montagu succeeded 2nd Baroness Montagu.

In or before 1382 John Strange 5th Baron Strange Blackmere (age 29) and [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp Countess Suffolk were married. She by marriage Baroness Strange Blackmere. She the daughter of Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 68) and Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King John "Lackland" of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

On 15 Feb 1382 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 43) died at Westminster Hall [Map]. Earl Suffolk, Baron Ufford extinct.

Around 1400. Window in the Chicheley Chapel at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map] from the late 14th early 15th Century depicting alliances of the Ufford family (who are thought to have owned the manor of Wimpole before the Chicheleys) and the Plantagenets through the marriage of [his uncle] Ralph Ufford and Maud Plantagenet Countess Ulster, daughter of Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster .

From top to bottom, left to right:

Tiptoft Arms. The Tiptoft family owned the nearby manor of Harleston.

Bardolf Arms.

Avenell Arms. The Avenell family once held a manor in Wimpole.

Telemache Arms.

Ufford Arms. Believed to be the arms of William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk. Note the difference of an annulet argent (white) in the top left corner.

Bohun Arms. Possibly William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton.

Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster 1281 1345 Arms. Possibly Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster although the label doesn't appear to have the fleur de lys of France.

Bassingbourne Arms.

Engaine Arms. John de Engaine lived in Huntingdonshire.

Lisle Arms. Possibly Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle. Robert settled at nearby Rampton.

[his father] Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk who married [his mother] Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk whose father [his grandfather] Walter Norwich owned the manor of Cobbs in Wimpole.

Ufford Arms with a label three points. Believed to be [his brother] Robert Ufford who predeceased his father Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk.

Bassingbourne Arms.

The figure in the middle is believed to represent William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk.

From an original description by James C Powell 1903.

After 1416 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk and Elizabeth Montagu Countess Suffolk were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. She was previously married to his brother Walter Ufford (age 72); an example of Married to Two Siblings. There is some uncertainty about this marriage since she was the sister of his first wife Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk. He the son of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk. She a great granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

On 29 Sep 1416 [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp Countess Suffolk died.

[his son] Robert Ufford was born to William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk and Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Ancestors of William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk 1338-1382

Father: Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Valoignes

GrandMother: Cecily Valoignes Baroness Ufford

William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk

GrandFather: Walter Norwich

Mother: Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk