The next laudable action of Fitz-Gwarine, of which we have any authentic account is, his going on an expedition into Ireland, in the service of the English king. He behaved with such intrepidity and loyalty, that after his return to England, he received the title of THE GREAT: an appellation more frequently conferred on the destroyers of the human race, than on those who contribute to the real welfare of mankind, by the discoveries in the arts and sciences. {19} A.D. 1215. Upon the dissatisfaction and rebellion of the Barons against king John, Fulk joined with them; for we find his name among the number that were excommunicated by the Pope, for extorting from John that firm basis of English liberty, called MAGNA CHARTA. A.D. 1219. In the succeeding reign, viz. that of Henry III., Fitz-Gwarine procured a grant of his estates, to him and his heirs for ever; for which he gave the king two coursers, and two hundred and sixty-two pounds, an enormous sum in that age, and which gives us an idea of the wealth of Fitz-Gwarine. The same monarch also granted him the liberty of a fair on St. Luke’s day, and a market on Wednesday, at Whittington; but on account of its proximity to Oswestry and Ellesmere, both market and fair are now quite lost. There were, however, fairs on the last Thursdays in April, July, and November, in the memory of several of the present inhabitants; but in want of sufficient attendance, they were discontinued. They consisted chiefly of horses, oxen, sheep and swine, that were, in a great measure, furnished from the extensive common of Babin’s wood: upon the inclosure of which, great part of the land that before had reared cattle, sheep, &c. was converted to arable purposes, and consequently the fairs were but ill supplied with those useful animals, which defect was the principal cause of the putting a stop to the fairs. Strange, lord of Knockin, and possessor of the castle there, had several conflicts or wars with Fitz-Gwarine, during the agitated reign of John. In some of these skirmishes they threw down, or considerably damaged each others castle; for we find grants given by Henry III. to each of these Barons to repair and fortify them. Whittington castle was so completely fortified by Fitz-Gwarine, that we never after hear of its being taken from its possessors. Out of the refuse materials Fitz-Gwarine built a chapel that soon became the parish church, and of which, I shall say more hereafter. In a tower in the gateway was till very lately a figure on horseback, representing Fitz-Gwarine painted in a course manner, under which were the following lines, alluding to his fortifying the castle: “This was Sir Foulke Fitz-Warine late a great and valiant knight, Who kept the Britons still in awe and oft times put to flight; He of this castle owner was, and kept it by command, Of Henry late surnam’d the Third, then king of all this land.