Biography of William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury 1328-1397

Paternal Family Tree: Montagu

Maternal Family Tree: Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison

1344 Creation of the Order of the Garter

1348-1350 Black Death Plague Outbreak

1356 Battle of Poitiers

1361 Marriage of Edward "The Black Prince" and Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent"

1381 Peasants' Revolt

Around 1320 [his father] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 19) and [his mother] Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Montagu.

On 25 Jun 1328 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury was born to William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 27) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 24).

Around Mar 1340 Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent (age 26) and [his future wife] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 11) were married in secret. It isn't clear whether the marriage was canonical given the secrecy; there were no witnesses. She twelve years old. A subsequent investigation by papal commissioners confirmed it as valid. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and [his future mother-in-law] Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 42). He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Around Nov 1340 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 12) and Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 12) were married. She was already married albeit secretly to Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent (age 26). The subsequent investigation found her marriage to Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent to be valid. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 43). He the son of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 39) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 36). She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Creation of the Order of the Garter

On 23 Apr 1344 King Edward III of England (age 31) created the Order of the Garter. The date nominal as there are different accounts; some sources say 1348.

1 Edward "Black Prince".

2 Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster.

3 Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick.

4 Jean Grailly.

5 Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford.

6 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury.

7 Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March.

8 John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle.

9 Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh.

10 John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick.

11 John Mohun 2nd Baron Mohun of Dunster.

12 Hugh Courtenay.

13 Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent.

14 John Grey 1st Baron Grey.

15 Richard Fitzsimon.

16 Miles Stapleton.

17 Thomas Wale.

18 Hugh Wrottesley.

19 Neil Loring.

20 John Chandos.

21 James Audley.

22 Otho Holland.

23 Henry Eam.

24 Sanchet Abrichecourt.

25 Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh.

On 03 Apr 1348 [his brother-in-law] John Plantagenet 3rd Earl Kent (age 17) and Isabella aka Elizabeth Julich Countess Kent (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Kent. She the daughter of William Jülich V Duke Jülich (age 49) and Joanna Hainault Duchess Guelders (age 33). He the son of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and [his mother-in-law] Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 51). They were half second cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Edward I of England.

On 11 Jun 1349 [his father] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 48) died. His son William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 20) succeeded 2nd Earl Salisbury, 4th Baron Montagu. [his wife] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 20) by marriage Countess Salisbury.

1348-1350 Black Death Plague Outbreak

On 29 Sep 1349 [his mother-in-law] Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 52) died of plague. Her son [his brother-in-law] John Plantagenet 3rd Earl Kent (age 19) succeeded 4th Baron Wake of Liddell and inherited her dower lands and the estates she had inherited from her brother Thomas Wake 2nd Baron Wake of Liddell.

On 26 Dec 1352 [his brother-in-law] John Plantagenet 3rd Earl Kent (age 22) died. He was buried at Greyfriars Church, Winchester [Map]. Earl Kent extinct. His sister [his wife] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 24) succeeded 5th Baroness Wake of Liddell. Some source suggest she also succeeded as 4th Countess of Kent but this is inconsistent with 1. her husband being created Earl of Kent as a new creation, and 2. her son not succeeding to the original Earldom?

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 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), 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), 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, 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 of 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.

Marriage of Edward "The Black Prince" and Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent"

On 10 Oct 1361 Edward "Black Prince" (age 31) and [his wife] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 33) were married at Windsor Castle [Map]. She by marriage Princess of Wales. His first wife, her second (or third depending on how you count them) husband. She had four children already. They had known each other since childhood. Thirty-one and thirty-three respectively. A curious choice for the heir to the throne; foreign princesses were usual. They were married nearly fifteen years and had two children. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and [his mother-in-law] Margaret Wake Countess Kent. He the son of King Edward III of England (age 48) and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 47). They were half first cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Peasants' Revolt

On 11 Jun 1381 King Richard II of England (age 14) held council with his mother [his wife] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 52), Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick (age 43), William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 52), Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 11th Earl of Arundel (age 35), Archbishop Simon Sudbury (age 65) and Robert Hales (age 56) at the Tower of London [Map].

Patent Rolls Richard II 1381 1385. 01 Mar 1382. Coinmission to Robert Tresilian, Robert Bealknap, William Skipwyth, Nicholas Brembre, William Gunthorp, Adapı de Bury and William Spaigné to examine the record and process and correct any error therein, or in the judgment rendered, in the suit before the mayor of Cales between William de Montagu (age 53), Earl of Salisbury, proctor and attorney of John Buterleigh and Alesia his wife, executrix of the will of William Teynturer the younger, late citizen of Salisbury, William Warmwell and William Loerde, her co-executors, and one William Gilbert called Salesbury,' touching a debt of 3291. which the earl demanded from the said Gilbert, and to do justice therein according to the law and custom obtaining in Cales.

In or before 1383 [his son] William Montagu and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk (age 16) were married. She the daughter of Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 11th Earl of Arundel (age 36) and Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 32). He the son of William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 54) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

On 07 Aug 1385 [his wife] Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 56) died at Wallingford Castle [Map]. She was buried at Blackfriars Friary, Stamford [Map] beside her first husband Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent. Her son Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent (age 35) succeeded 6th Baron Wake of Liddell.

After 07 Aug 1385 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 57) and Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury were married. She by marriage Countess Salisbury. He the son of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury.

On 03 Jun 1397 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 68) died. His nephew John Montagu 3rd Earl Salisbury (age 47) succeeded 3rd Earl Salisbury, 5th Baron Montagu. Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.

On 14 Jan 1415 [his former wife] Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury died in Salisbury.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 28th of November [1357], and two following days, the Queen entertained the Earl of Tancarville, a member of the royal family of France, and at this time in England, as one of the captives of Poitiers; and with him the Earl of Salisbury. Of this latter nobleman, William de Montacute, second Earl, it is noticeable that he too was connected with the Mortimers, being, as we have already stated, brother-in-law to the existing Earl of March2, although his [his father] father had personally acted a principal part in arresting Isabella's paramour in Nottingham Castle.

Note 1. Possibly John Melun 1st Count Tancarville although he not a member of the royal family of France?

Note 2. Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March had married William's sister [his sister] Philippa Montagu Countess March.

[his son] William Montagu was born to William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury and Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury.

Parliament Rolls Richard II Jan 1397: On behalf of the earl of Salisbury. 26. William Montague, Earl of Salisbury, submitted a petition in parliament, the tenor of which follows:

To our lord the king his liege William Montague, Earl of Salisbury, prays: whereas the most noble King Edward [III], your grandfather, by his letters patent gave and granted to [his father] William Montague, Earl of Salisbury and father of the said supplicant, whose heir he is, and to the heirs issuing from his body, with the clause of warranty of the said very noble King Edward [III] and his heirs, the castle, town and honour of Denbigh, and the cantreds of Rhos, Rhufiniog, and Cymeirch and the commote of Dinmael with their appurtenances in Wales, as plainly appears from the said letters patent: which castle, town, and honour, cantreds and commote, with their appurtenances, Roger Mortimer, late Earl of March, by the name of the land of Denbigh, in Trinity term, in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of the said most noble King Edward [III] [18 June 1354-9 July 1354], before William Shareshull and his fellow justices assigned to hold the pleas before the said very noble King Edward [III], against the aforesaid supplicant, by erroneous judgment, recovered by a writ of scire facias, founded on a judgment given in the parliament held at Westminster on the Monday after the feast of St Mark the Evangelist in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of the said very noble King Edward [III], for the aforesaid Roger, on a petition showed by him to the said very noble King Edward [III] then, in the name of Roger Mortimer of Wigmore, son and heir of Edmund Mortimer, son and heir of Roger Mortimer; in which record and judgment on the said writ of scire facias there are patent errors.

May it please you of your gracious lordship to cause the full record to be brought before you, with all attachments to the same concerning the said writ of scire facias, in the present parliament, that they may be inspected and examined for error, and to forewarn Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, cousin and heir of the aforesaid Roger son of Edmund, and others who are to be forewarned in the matter, to be before you at the next parliament to hear the said errors; and if they know of anything to say wherefor the aforesaid judgment on the said writ of scire facias should not be reversed, and the aforesaid supplicant restored to his said possession with the issues and profits in the meantime since the said loss, and also to do right and justice to the parties in the aforesaid manner. Whereupon, the said petition having been read before the king and lords of parliament, the king ordered Sir Walter Clopton, his chief justice, to bring before the king and lords in parliament the record of which the said petition made mention above. Which record, on the king's command, was later brought to parliament before the king and lords, and there it was read in part, and certain errors therein were pointed out and alleged by the said Earl of Salisbury. Whereupon the king, by the assent and advice of the lords of parliament, the justices of the king there present, granted and ordered that the said earl have a writ of scire facias on the matter of the said petition, returnable at the next parliament, as the same petition mentions.

Ancestors of William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury 1328-1397

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Montagu

Great x 1 Grandfather: Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu

GrandFather: William Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu

Great x 1 Grandmother: Hawise St Amand

Father: William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Montfort

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thurstan Montfort

Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Montfort

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cantilupe Baron

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mabel Cantilupe

Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter Montfort

Great x 4 Grandfather: Adam Audley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Audley

Great x 4 Grandmother: Emma Fitzorm

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Audley

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Mainwaring

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bertrade Mainwaring

GrandMother: Elizabeth Montfort Baroness Furnivall Baroness Montagu

William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury

Great x 1 Grandfather: Pierre Grandison

GrandFather: William Grandison 1st Baron Grandison

Mother: Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury

GrandMother: Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison