Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Strange, John

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1436726Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 33 — Le Strange, John1893Hamon le Strange

LE STRANGE, JOHN (d. 1269), lord marcher, third in descent from Roland le Strange (who occurs as a witness in 1112), held extensive estates in Shropshire and Norfolk, including Knokyn in the former, and Hunstanton in the latter county. He served in 1214 under King John in Poitou, and between 1233 and 1240 was successively appointed by Henry III constable of the castles of Montgomery, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, and Chester. He spent a long life in defending the Welsh border as a lord marcher, and during the rebellion of Simon de Montfort stood fast to the crown. One of his daughters, Hawise, married Griffin, prince of Powys; his younger son, Hamon, accompanied Prince Edward on the crusade of 1270, and in 1272 married at Cyprus Isabelle d'Ibelin, widow of Hugh II, king of Cyprus. Another son, Robert, was ancestor of the Lords Strange of Blackmere. John le Strange died in 1269, and was succeeded by his son John (d. 1275), who by his marriage with Joan de Someri, co-heiress of Hugh de Albini, earl of Arundel, added much to the influence and wealth of his family. His grandson, John, sixth baron of Knokyn (d. 1311), gave in 1310 his manor of Hunstanton to his younger brother, Hamon, from whom the Norfolk Le Stranges come in direct descent.

[Eyton's History of Shropshire, x. 259; Carthew's History of Launditch, i. 139; Assises de Jérusalem, ii. 449, Paris, 1843; Historiens des Croisades, ii. 462.]

H. le S.