William de Beauchamp

Who is William de Beauchamp?

William de Beauchamp was an Anglo-Norman baron and hereditary sheriff.

He was born in Elmley Castle, Worcestershire, the son of Walter de Beauchamp, who had been made hereditary Sheriff of Worcestershire after the honour had been confiscated from Roger d'Abetot. He served in this capacity from the death of his father in 1114 until his own death around 1170. He also served as sheriff for three other counties, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

He died in 1170 and was buried in Worcester. He had married Maud, the daughter of Philip de Braose and was succeeded by his son William, the eldest of his six children, who inherited the Worcestershire shrievalty in turn. His widow subsequently married John de Brompton.