Walter [I] de Beauchamp of Elmley Castle, Worcestershire

  General Notes:

WALTER [I] de Beauchamp of Elmley Castle, Worcestershire, son of --- ([1080/95]-[1130/May 1133]). His birth date is estimated very broadly based on his marriage before 1114. Henry I King of England notified "Osberto de Abetot et ministris [et] forestariis de foresta de Feccham" that he had granted a fox-hunting licence in his forest in Feckenham to "Waltero de Bello Campo" by charter dated to [1110/16]. Henry I King of England notified "Osberto vicecomiti et omnibus forestariis de Wirecestrasera" that he had granted a wolf-hunting licence in his forest in Worcestershire to "Waltero de Bello Campo" by charter dated to [1106/13]. Henry I King of England granted "totam terram Rogeri de Wygrecestra", in and around the town of Worcester, to "Waltero de Bello Campo" by charter dated to [1114, after 15 Aug]. Henry I King of England notified the bishop of Worcester that he had granted "vicecomitatum de Wigresestrasia" to "Waltero de Bello Campo" by charter dated to [Dec 1113/Apr 1116]. "…Walto de Bello Campo…" subscribed the charter date [3/10] Jun 1123 under which Henry I King of England granted the lands of "Edrici fil Chetelli" to "Walto de Gloec". Henry I King of England notified the bishop of Worcester that he had granted "terram que fuit Adelize uxoris Ursonis de Abbetot sicut ipsa Adeliza eam ei concessit" to "Waltero de Bello Campo" by charter dated to [1123/Jul 1129]. The 1130 Pipe Roll records "Walto de Belcapo" in Wiltshire (two entries) and in Gloucestershire.

m (before Aug 1114) [EMMELINE], daughter of URSE de Abitot & his wife Adelisa ---. Round states that the wife of Walter de Beauchamp was the daughter of Urse de Abitot but he does not cite the corresponding primary source which confirms that this is correct. Ellis says that "Emmeline Roger´s sister was wife of Walter de Beauchamp, who obtained the fief of Urso and the shrievalty of Worcestershire, which Henry I confirmed to him, together wih the office of one of the king´s dispensers which Robert brother of Urso had formerly held, and the land given him by Adelisa the widow of Urso". If this information is all correct, it appears to establish Emmeline´s parentage and marriage. The corresponding sources are set out in the Beauchamp cartulary, and quoted above under Emmeline´s husband´s entry. The documents do not explicitly state that Walter´s wife was the daughter of Urse de Abitot and brother of Roger de Abitot, but this is a reasonable implication. The latest date of her marriage is assessed from the dating of the first of these charters. The primary source which confirms her name has not yet been identified.

Walter [I] & his wife had [three] children: William, [Walter] and Matilda.

The parentage of Walter de Beauchamp has not been confirmed in any of the primary sources which have been consulted during the preparation of the present document. From a chronological point of view, he could have been the son of Hugh de Beauchamp. However, it is not known whether Hugh was the only member of the Beauchamp family who came to England from Normandy. A hint about his family relationships is provided by the charter dated [25/31] Jul 1141 under which "M. imperatrix, Henrici regis filia et Anglorum domina" confirmed, among other property, the property of "suorum proximorum parentum qui contra me fuerint in werra mea", to Walter's son "Willelmo de Bello Campo". The "proximorum parentum" in question have not been identified, and unfortunately the document does not specify the properties which were granted to William de Beauchamp. Miles [I] de Beauchamp is excluded as he witnessed the same document and therefore must also have been a supporter of Empress Matilda. ¹

  Events

• Title: Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1114 To 1130. ¹

Walter married Emmeline d'Abetot, daughter of Urse d'Abetot and Adelisa, before Aug 1114.¹