General Notes

Henry was the first who bore the title of Earl of Warwick, to which he was created by William I, but when this eminent person obtained the earldom is not exactly ascertained. Sir Wm. Dugdale presumes the period to have been toward the close of the Conqueror's reign, "for then saith he, King William, having begirt Warwick with a mighty ditch, for the precinct of its walls, and erected the gates at his own charge, did promote this Henry to the earldom and annexed thereto the royalty of the borough, which at that time belonged to the crown." Dugdale makes him die 23 of Henry I, 1123. He was buried in Preaux Abbey in Normandy. (This line ended 26 of Henry III, 1242.) Although Henry was made Earl of Warwick by the first Norman sovereign, he was not invested with all the lands attached thereto until the ensuing reign, when on the accession of William Rufus he received the inheritance of the Saxon Earl of Warwick, Turchitel, who at the time of the conquest had the reputation of Earl and gained the favor of the Conqueror by espousing his cause and was rewarded by being allowed to retain Warwick. From this time the Earls of Warwick used the "bear and ragged staff," the device of Turchil's family, derived from the chivalrous Guy, Earl of Warwick, famed for his marvelous feats related in the Saxon Chronicles, and has continued as the badge of the Earls of Warwick. The name of this Henry, Earl of Warwick, appears as a witness to the charter of King Henry I, whereby that Prince confirmed the laws of Edward the Confessor and granted many other immunities to the clergy and laity. He was memorable for his donations for pious foundations as well for his military record. He died in 1123. He married Margaret, 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.