Guy Le Strange

  General Notes:

Guy - The le Strange legend that has been repeated through successive generations can be found in part of an epic tale, the Romance of Fouke le fitz Warine. This French prose which was written by an unknown author in traditional trouverian style of the 13th century, was translated and reproduced in early medieval times for its popularity gained by the declared outlaw Fulk who is otherwise known as Fulk the son of Warine Ii. It is a story set in the 11th century A.D. wherein it begins with a certain lady, Mellette, who features as the outlaw's grandmother in her youth, she was united with her husband Guy of Metz, whom otherwise was known in France from whence he came, as Guarine or Warine de Metz.

The chapter conveys how the le Strange family was founded, prior to the Warines, when Mellette, a beautiful damsel has a jousting tournament arranged for by her wealthy uncle, William Peverel. This was held in the time of William the Conqueror, in 1083 at his Castle Peveril in the Peak of Derbyshire England (shown above), and this is where she was expected to find a suitable husband, to which she replied: "Sire" no knight is there in all the world that I would take for the sake of riches and the honour of this land but if ever I take such a one he shall be handsome and courteous and accomplished and the most valiant of his order in all Christendom. Of riches I make no account, for truly can I say that he is rich who has that which his heart desires" from: Mellette, 'The Romance of Fouk le fitz Warine'


Noble-men eager to win her as their bride together with dowry including the attractive white tower of white town, known as Whittington Castle Shropshire, came from every corner; Scotland, Wales and France. The two most salubrious guests, Owen Prince of Wales, and Eneas, Prince of Scotland, brought 200 knights along, - the Duke of Burgundy outnumbered them with a hundred more. Ydromor, Prince of Galloway came with a modest 150 men, but Guy (Guarine de Metz France ), son of John, Duke of Brittany, (Johan duc de la Petite-Bretagene), came with only a hundred, plus his 9 brothers.

Ultimately, Guy, with his life spared, victoriously claimed his wife, Mellette, whom already expressed her interest in him by sending over her glove. It continues... "..... Guy remained in England: And conquered, by the force of his sword, many beautiful lands, and so was named Guy le Strange ...."

From this point on no longer was he a complete stranger to these parts, but Guy de Metz assumed The Strange name and produced his heir, Fulk fitz (son of) Warine. My mention of this name variant earlier suggests that the Warine's and le Stranges were one of the same family determined by its prefix, though the issue is both a complex and controversial one. However, in essence, the tale of Fulk as distinct from the family legend, celebrates a trouverian type romance similar to that of Robin Hood and King Arthur, which are classified as medieval tales everyone can enjoy. What they have in common is a hero in which his romance is defined by courage & adventure, and at the same time presents a platform on which a new family may flourish.

Guy married.