John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles

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John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles (1352 – 1421) was an English soldier and noble. He married Margaret "Eleanor," daughter of John, Lord Mowbray by Elizabeth, Baroness Segrave.^[1]

At a banquet in Edinburgh and presumably after too much alcohol he issued, as Champion of England, the following challenge to David Lindsay (later 1st Earl of Crawford): “Let words have no place; if ye know not the Chivalry and Valiant deeds of Englishmen; appoint me a day and a place where ye list, and ye shall have experience.”^[2] As a result of the challenge, on St George’s Day, 23rd April 1390^[3], he fought David Lindsay in mock combat on horseback on London Bridge, losing the match by falling from his horse in their third charge against each other.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ See p. 700-709 of Ancient Ancestors with Modern Descendants, 7th Ed., by Ronald Wells
2. ^ See p. 700-709 of Ancient Ancestors with Modern Descendants, 7th Ed., by Ronald Wells
3. ^ See p. 400-409 of Ancient Ancestors with Modern Descendants, 7th Ed., by Ronald Wells

[edit] See also

Crawford Castle for additional details of challenge

Peerage of England
Preceded by John de Welles	Baron Welles 1361–1421	Succeeded by Lionel de Welles