John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles

John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles (1352–1421) was an English soldier and noble. He married Margaret de Mowbray (1364–1399), daughter of John, Lord Mowbray by Elizabeth, Baroness Segrave.

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.” As a result of the challenge, on St George’s Day, 23 April 1390, 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.

He was the father of:

• Eudo de Welles, d.v.p., who married Maude de Greystoke, daughter of Ralph de Greystoke, 3rd Baron Greystoke and Catherine Clifford, and had:
  • Sir William Welles, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, married to Anne Barnewall, daughter of Sir Christopher Barnewall, and had issue including Elizabeth, Lady Slane;
  • Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles
• Eleanor de Welles, who married Hugh de Poynings, son of Thomas Poynings, 3rd Baron Poynings and Joan ..., and had issue

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