William Longespée, Earl of Salisbury
Also known as: William Longspée / William Longspée earle of Salisburie / William Longspée, Earl of Salisbury / William earle of Salisburie · Family: England · Role: earl; brother of King John · First appears: King John 17
William Longespée was the brother of King John and supported him in his quarrels. In 1213, King John sent him with William, Duke of Holland and Reignold, Earl of Boulogne at the head of a fleet and army to aid Ferdinando against the French king; at Dam, the English commanders defeated the French fleet after heavy fighting and forced its defenders to surrender. He also acted alongside Fulk de Brent and other captains whom King John had left behind when a city proved unlikely to be taken easily by siege.
By c. 1216, William was among the nobles who came over to Louis VIII, along with William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, William d'Aubigny, Earl of Arundel, and William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, after reports of Louis VIII’s outward courtesy drew many former supporters of King John to him.
Relationship record
Life events
- 1213 · King John sent a fleet and army to aid Ferdinando against the French king.(King John 19 · 📍 Flanders)
- With: King John William, Duke of Holland Reignold, Earl of Boulogne
- “that same nauie (which as before is recited) he had put in a readinesse, conteining the number of fiue hundred saile, he sent streight into Flanders with a strong armie, both of horssemen and footmen, vnder the guiding of William duke of Holland, William Longspée earle of Salisburie base brother to king John, and Reignold earle of Bullongne.”
- 1213 · The English commanders defeated the French fleet at Dam, forcing its defenders to surrender after heavy slaughter.(King John 19 · 📍 Dam)
- With: William, Duke of Holland Reignold, Earl of Boulogne
- “till that finallie the Frenchmen were not able to susteine the force of the Englishmen, but were constreined (after long fight and great slaughter) to yéeld themselues prisoners.”
- c. 1216 · Several nobles who supported King John defected to Louis VIII.(King John 30)
- With: Louis VIII William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey William d'Aubigny, Earl of Arundel William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke
- “The rumour of this pretended outward courtesie being once spred through the realme, caused great numbers of people to come flocking to him, among whome were diuerse of those which before had taken part with king John, as William earle Warren, William earle of Arundell, William earle of Salisburie, William Marshall the yoonger, and diuerse other”