William de Beauchamp (died 1260)
British judge and high sheriff
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William de Beauchamp (c.1186–1260) was a British judge and high sheriff.
William de Beauchamp | |
|---|---|
| High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire | |
| In office 1236–1237 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1186 |
| Died | 1260 (aged 73–74) |
| Spouse | Ida Longespee |
| Children | 6 |
Early life
William was the son of Simon de Beauchamp and his wife Isabel.[1]
Joins Barons' War
William took part in the 1210 expedition to Ireland and the 1214 expedition to Poitiers. He joined the rebellious barons in 1215 at the beginning of the First Barons' War,[2] entertaining them at his seat of Bedford Castle;[3] as such, de Beauchamp was one of the rebels excommunicated by Pope Innocent III.[1] William was captured at the Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217 but made his peace with Henry III's regency government.[1] By this point he had already lost Bedford Castle to Falkes de Breauté in 1215, leading to an odd situation: Breauté was granted the castle, while William held the barony. When Breauté fell from power Bedford Castle was besieged and partially destroyed on royal orders, but William was granted licence to build a residence within its Bailey. He was part of a royal expedition ambushed by Richard Marshal in 1233, and was appointed a Baron of the Exchequer in 1234 and 1237.[citation needed]
Other offices
William also served as Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire for 1236,[4] and when Eleanor of Provence was crowned queen that year he served as an almoner.[5]
Family and death
William married firstly, Gunnor Lanvaley.[6] She died before 1220.[6] William married secondly, Ida Longespee, daughter of William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury and Ela, Countess of Salisbury.[6]
William died in 1260, leaving a son, William, as well as five other children.[1]