WURTS MAGNA CHARTA provided a brief accounting of the feudal headquarters of some
of the Magna Charta Barons. Some of the castles have been badly damaged. Some have
disappeared entirely. Often we can learn of them through Medieval and Renaissance
accounts, and some of them require the discerning eye of the archeologist. Others await
the evidence brought out with a shovel and pick, by the trained archeological historian.
A portion of the information concerning Surety Baron WILLIAM de FORTIBUS is as follows:
WILLIAM de FORTIBUS, the youngest of the Magna Charta Sureties, came of age in 1214/5,
when King John confirmed to him all the lands which accrued to him by inheritance from his
mother, and he succeeded in her right as Earl of Albemarle.
Although originally on the side of the Barons, this Surety deserted them and joined
King John in that expedition into the North of England so marked by destruction. For his
services the King granted him all the lands belonging to his sister Alice, the wife of
William Marshall, Jr., the Surety, and constituted him in 1218, governor of the Castles of
Rockingham in Northamptonshire, Sauvey in Leistershire and Botham in Lincolnshire, with
strict command to destroy all the houses, parks and possessions of those Barons who were
in arms against the King. In the reign of King Henry III this nobleman fought under the
Royal banner at the Battle of Lincoln, and shared largely in the spoils of the victory. He
was alternately for and against the Charter. Since he was opposed to the King, his
submission was accomplished only by excommunication. In 1230 he was one of the commanders
of the Royal troops in Normandy. He set out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and died on
the Mediterranean Sea 29 March 1241.
Of William de Fortibus the monk, Matthew Paris, wrote: "As the weather was at this
time (1241) favorable, William de Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle, a bold knight (and other
knights named) took leave of their friends and, commending themselves to the prayers of
religious men, set out in great pomp towards Jerusalem and, embarking at the Mediterranean
Sea in the Autumn, sailed forth on their voyage across the sea: 1241. Among the English
nobles who died this year was one William de Forbes (Sic.) Earl of Albemarle who, when on
his pilgrimage, was taken ill on the Mediterranean Sea, and being unable to eat, endured
protracted sufferings for eight days and on Friday next before Easter, on which Christ on
the Cross resigned his spirit to his Father, he in like manner resigned his spirit to
Christ."
William has been described by Bishop Stubbs as "a feudal adventurer of the worst
type." He changed sides as often as suited his policy. Following his election as a
Surety he wanted, most of all, to revive the independent power of the feudal Barons, and
carried out his plans with Falkes de Breaute and other foreign adventurers whom John had
established in the country. He was twice excommunicated, once in John's reign, once in
Henry III's. He was never really in the Royal favor until after the death of Falkes de
Breaute.
Appreciation is expressed to Reed M. W. Wurts, one of the Heralds of the Society for
furnishing the Barons Shield on this page.