William de Warenne is the 1st Earl of Surey, an English military leader and nobleman which has an estimated net worth of $147.13 billion.
De Warenne did not stand to inherit the land of his family's estates. He played a significant role in the Battle of Mortemer, for which he was rewarded with lands confiscated from his uncle, Roger of Mortemer, including the Castle of Mortemer and most of the surrounding lands. He acquired lands at Bellencombre, including the castle which became the center of William de Warenne’s holdings in Normandy.
He was summoned to a council by Duke William when the decision was made to oppose king Harold II's accession to the throne of England.
According to the Domesday book records,William's lands stretched over thirteen counties and included the important Rape of Sussex, several manors in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, the manor of Conisbrough in Yorkshire and Castle Acre in Norfolk.
He was one of those people to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He also fought against rebels at the Isle of Ely in 1071.
During the time that he and his wife Gundred visited monasteries in Rome, they were unable to go any further due to a war between Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII. The couple decided to found a Cluniac priory on their own lands in England. He restored buildings for an abbey.
William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, Seigneur de Varenne married twice. He has four children from his marriage to Gundred. He got wounded at the siege of Pevensey Castle. He died June 24, 1088 at Lewes, Sussex.