He had two daughters, the youngest of which was named Mellet: she with
the spirit of an Amazon, resolved to wed no one but the knight of most
consummate valour. Her father published this declaration, and promised
the Castle of Whittington as her dower. Several distinguished combatants
assembled at Peverel’s place in the Peak, Derbyshire, to contend for the
fair prize; and among whom were, a son of the king of Scotland, Baron
Burgoyne, and a noble Lorrainer, Guarine De Metz, (sheriff of Shropshire,
and chief counsellor to the earl of Shrewsbury;) the latter of whom came
with a shield of silver, and a proud peacock upon his crest; and having
overthrown his rivals, obtained the beautiful Mellet.
As chivalry was the greatest accomplishment in these times, the progeny
of this famed couple could hardly avoid being eminently distinguished by
feats of arms, and the consequence was, that their names occupied very
great portions in romances both at home and abroad.
I must not forget to state, that Guarine De Metz was a great benefactor
to the Monks: one remarkable instance of which is this; after a conflict
he had with the Welsh, led by their prince Jorwerth, (in which action the
latter was discomfited with all his host) our hero founded the New Abbey,
better known by the name of Alberbury.
The posterity of this great man for nine generations assumed the
Christian name of Fulk; they continued possessed of the castle from the
end of the reign of Henry I. till the time of Henry VIII. a period of
near four hundred years. Their common name was Fitz-Gwarine. Mr.
Dovaston in his poem, thus expresses himself on this subject:
“Sires were his from days of yore,
Who all the same distinction bore
Of title and of name;
A name that valour’s blazon’d blade
In feats of chivalry had made
The favourite of fame.”
Guarine De Metz died in the reign of Henry I. at Alberbury, where he was
interred; his wife and his son Fulk Fitz-Gwarine being present on the
occasion.
We have mentioned that Guarine De Metz first exerted his valour in the
cause of love, and that great commendation was bestowed on him in
consequence; this was exactly the case with his son; he became
desperately enamoured with Hawys, daughter of Sir Joos, of Normandy, who
had been appointed guardian of the hero in question. Fitz-Gwarine
observing Hawys to be frequently in great sorrow, desired to know the
cause of it, and was informed that it proceeded from the dangerous
situation of her father, being at that time in the hands of Walter Lacy
and Sir Arnold de Lis, two of his inveterate enemies. Upon hearing this,
Fulk resolved to rescue him, and being supplicated by her whom he adored,
he set off immediately and arrived in time just to save the head of Joos
from the fatal stroke that would instantly have severed it from the body.
The consequences were, Lacy and Arnold were taken prisoners and confined
in Ludlow castle; Joos was snatched from the most perilous situation to a
most happy one; and to crown all, Fulk and Hawys were joined together,
and harmony again reigned in both families.