He was the second son of the English knight John (III.) le Strange (died before March 1269) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Robert Tresgoz. He was lord of Ellesmere, Shropshire and during the De Montfort Rebellion was part of the entourage of Edward, Prince of Wales. In 1270 he left his lands to his younger brother Robert and joined Edward on the Seventh Crusade. Edward returned to Europe in 1272 after his father's death, leaving Hamo in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. On 21 March 1272 he married Isabella of Beirut (1252 - 1282/83), Lady of Beirut and daughter of John II of Beirut. She was the widow of Hugh II of Cyprus (died 1267).