William de Beauchamp (c.1186–1260) was a British judge and
high sheriff.
Early life
Beauchamp was the son of Simon de Beauchamp (c.1145–1206/7) and his wife Isabel, whose parents are unknown.
''Magna Carta'' baron
De Beauchamp took part in the 1210 expedition to
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
and the 1214 expedition to
Poitiers
Poitiers (, , , ; Poitevin: ''Poetàe'') is a city on the River Clain in west-central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and the historical centre of Poitou. In 2017 it had a population of 88,291. Its agglomerat ...
before joining the rebellious barons in 1215 at the beginning of the
First Barons' War
The First Barons' War (1215–1217) was a civil war in the Kingdom of England in which a group of rebellious major landowners (commonly referred to as barons) led by Robert Fitzwalter waged war against King John of England. The conflict resulte ...
, entertaining them at his seat of
Bedford Castle
Bedford Castle was a large medieval castle in Bedford, England. Built after 1100 by Henry I, the castle played a prominent part in both the civil war of the Anarchy and the First Barons' War. The castle was significantly extended in stone, ...
; as such, de Beauchamp was one of the rebels excommunicated by
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III ( la, Innocentius III; 1160 or 1161 – 16 July 1216), born Lotario dei Conti di Segni (anglicized as Lothar of Segni), was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1198 to his death in 16 ...
.
Involvement in military actions
De Beauchamp was captured at the
Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217 but made his peace with the government. 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 de Beauchamp held the barony. When Breauté fell from power Bedford Castle was besieged and partially destroyed on royal orders, but de Beauchamp was granted licence to build a residence within its Bailey. He was part of a royal expedition ambushed by
Richard Marshal
Richard Marshal, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (119115 April 1234), was the son of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and brother of William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, whom he succeeded to the Earldom of Pembroke and Lord Marshal of England upon h ...
in 1233, and was appointed a
Baron of the Exchequer in 1234 and 1237.
Other offices
He also served as
Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire for 1236 and when
Eleanor of Provence was crowned queen that year he served as an
almoner
An almoner (} ' (alms), via the popular Latin '.
History
Christians have historically been encouraged to donate one-tenth of their income as a tithe to their church and additional offerings as needed for the poor. The first deacons, mentioned ...
.
Family and death
He married Ida Longespee, daughter of
William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury
William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury (born in or before 11677 March 1226) ("Long Sword", Latinised to ''de Longa Spatha'') was an Anglo-Norman nobleman, primarily remembered for his command of the English forces at the Battle of Damme an ...
and
Ela, Countess of Salisbury.
He died in 1260, leaving a son, also called William, as well as five other children.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beauchamp, William de (1185)
12th-century births
1260 deaths
13th-century English judges
Anglo-Normans
English soldiers
Magna Carta barons
Norman warriors
High Sheriffs of Buckinghamshire
High Sheriffs of Bedfordshire
People from Bedford