Family
Thomas de Ferrers was the son of William de Ferrers and Ellen de Segrave, the son of William Ferrers and Anne Le Despenser. He was the brother of Henry de Ferriers who held the office immediately before him, from 1334-1337. He was born in Groby Old Hall, Leicestershire, about 1299 and married Ankaret Le Boteler.
Warden
He took up his appointment on 10 May 1337 and was Warden when David Bruce, exiled King of Scotland, who had led a raid against Jersey in 1336, was threatening to try again.
Edward II ordered:"Because we are informed that the Scots are planning to perpetrate similar crimes in the islands a second time, we order Thomas de Ferrers to levy and array all men capable of bearing arms, and to form them into companies of thousands, hundreds and twenties, and to lead them well-armed and arrayed for the defence of the islands."
This is seen as the foundations for the Jersey Militia, although it was not immediately challenged because Bruce decided to reclaim his throne in Scotland.
Appointment
de Ferrers' appointment read:R de sircumspectione etc commisit Thome de Ferariis custodiam Insularum etc
In 1338 his nomination was renewed and confirmed for a period of ten years, requiring an annual farm of 500 marks. However, another Warden, Thomas de Hampton was appointed in 1341.
de Ferrers appears not to have lived in the islands. There are letters surviving from him, written in London, in 1337, and in 1338 his lieutenant in the islands was Gautier de Weston.
de Ferrers was appointed for a second term in 1343 and continued in office until at least the middle of 1345, and probably for a further two years.
Thomas de Hampton
Thomas de Hampton was Warden from 1341 to 1343
An Englishman rather than a member of the Hamptonne family of Jersey, Thomas de Hampton was appointed Warden on 18 March 1341 and took office two days later. His appointment was on the same terms as his predecessors - an annual farm of 500 marks, but because of the losses caused by war, he obtained a reduction from the King in 1342. The reduced amount is not known.
In 1343 he introduced Johan Russel to the benefice of Grouville on 5 August 1343 in the name of Edward III.
Gautier de Weston
Gautier de Weston was appointed Warden in 1343 together with Guillaume de Cheyny. Both had previously served in the Channel Islands, possibly as Warden, or as a deputy.
On 3 October 1336 de Weston was recognised as lieutenant for Guillaume de Montagu and Henry de Ferriers. He appeared again in 1338 as lieutenant for Thomas de Ferriers, who did not spend much time in the islands during his appointment.
de Weston was certainly Warden in 1343, when he shared the appointment with de Cheyny. It is not clear whether one was appointed to Jersey and the other to Guernsey, or whether they shared responsibility for all the Channel Islands. Their appointment read:R commisit Willelmo de Cheigny et Waltero de Weston custodiam insularum... habendam quamdiu R. placuerit...
Gautier de Weston shows in some lists of Guernsey officials as sub-Warden from 1343 to 1347. If, however, he was Warden of the Isles throughout this period, it would tie in with the appointment of the next Wardens, Robert Wyvill and Thomas de Clifford in 1348.
Robert Wyvill and Thomas de Clifford
Little or nothing is known about Robert Wyvill and Thomas de Clifford, Joint Wardens in 1348. They served only until 26 May the following year.
Thomas was undoubtedly a member of the prominent de Clifford family, of Herefordshire, but it is not known how he fits into that family. The surname Wyvill was also well known in Yorkshire in the 14th century and it is possible that the island Warden was Robert de Wyvill (1294-1375), Bishop of Salisbury.
| Predecessor | Successor | |
| Guillaume de Montagu and Henry de Ferrers 1334 - 1337 |
Thomas de Ferrers 1337 – 1341, 1343 - 1347 |
Jean Mautravers 1349-1354 |
