General Notes

Henry was the first who bore the title of Earl of Warwick, to which hewas created by William I, but when this eminent person obtained theearldom is not exactly ascertained. Sir Wm. Dugdale presumes the periodto have been toward the close of the Conqueror's reign, "for then saithhe, King William, having begirt Warwick with a mighty ditch, for theprecinct of its walls, and erected the gates at his own charge, didpromote this Henry to the earldom and annexed thereto the royalty of theborough, which at that time belonged to the crown." Dugdale makes him die23 of Henry I, 1123. He was buried in Preaux Abbey in Normandy. (Thisline ended 26 of Henry III, 1242.) Although Henry was made Earl ofWarwick by the first Norman sovereign, he was not invested with all thelands attached thereto until the ensuing reign, when on the accession ofWilliam Rufus he received the inheritance of the Saxon Earl of Warwick,Turchitel, who at the time of the conquest had the reputation of Earl andgained the favor of the Conqueror by espousing his cause and was rewardedby being allowed to retain Warwick. From this time the Earls of Warwickused the "bear and ragged staff," the device of Turchil's family, derivedfrom the chivalrous Guy, Earl of Warwick, famed for his marvelous featsrelated in the Saxon Chronicles, and has continued as the badge of theEarls of Warwick. The name of this Henry, Earl of Warwick, appears as awitness to the charter of King Henry I, whereby that Prince confirmed thelaws of Edward the Confessor and granted many other immunities to theclergy and laity. He was memorable for his donations for piousfoundations as well for his military record. He died in 1123. He marriedMargaret, sister of Rotrode, Earl of Perch, and daughter of Geoffrey,Count of Moreton. They had two daughters, names unknown. and five sons:Roger, Henry, Geoffrey, Rotrode and Robert.