William de Beauchamp ★

Born Abt in England. He died 1298.

Family Background

William de Beauchamp was born around 1238, eldest of eight children of William (III) de Beauchamp of Elmley Castle, Worcestershire, and Isabel de Mauduit, sister and heiress of William Mauduit, 8th Earl of Warwick — a connection that would determine William's own future title.

Inheritance of the Earldom

When his father died in 1268, William inherited the earldom of Warwick through his mother's line, becoming 9th Earl of Warwick, and was also made hereditary High Sheriff of Worcestershire for life. He held the earldom for thirty years.

Military Campaigns Under Edward I

A close friend of Edward I, William spent years campaigning against the Welsh and, later in life, against the Scots. In 1294 he relieved the siege of Conwy Castle, where Edward I himself had been trapped, by crossing the estuary to reach the king.

The Battle of Maes Moydog

William's most celebrated victory came March 5, 1295, when he defeated the Welsh rebel prince Madog ap Llywelyn at the Battle of Maes Moydog. In a night attack he used cavalry to drive the Welsh infantry into tight defensive formations, then had his archers shoot them up before charging — a tactical combination of missile fire and cavalry that proved decisive.

Marriage, Children, and Death

William married Maud FitzJohn, and their children included Guy de Beauchamp, who succeeded him as 10th Earl of Warwick, and Isabella de Beauchamp, who married first Patrick de Chaworth and later Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester. William died in 1298, around age sixty, after thirty years as earl.