William de Vesci

Who is William de Vesci?

William de Vesci, sometimes spelt Vescy, was a prominent 13th-century noble. He was a son of William de Vesci and Agnes de Ferrers, daughter of William de Ferrers, 5th Earl of Derby, and Sibyl Marshal. William died in 1297.

He founded the Grey Abbey in Kildare, Ireland for the Franciscans in 1260. During the Second Barons' War campaign of 1265, William held Gloucester Castle against Prince Edward. He was pardoned afterwards and entered the service of King Henry III of England. He served against the Welsh in 1277 and later in 1282. He was appointed the justice of the forests north of the Trent in 1285.

Upon the death of his brother John de Vesci in 1289, William succeeded to the family estates. He was also granted the Constable of Scarborough Castle between 1289 until 1292. William was sent with Antony Bek, Bishop of Durham in 1289 to represent King Edward I of England in Scotland. He also founded White Abbey, near Kildare, Ireland for the Carmelites in 1290.

Upon the death of the Margaret, Maid of Norway in 1290, William became one of the competitors for the Crown of Scotland, deriving his claim from his grandmother, Margaret, illegitimate daughter of William the Lion the wife of Eustace fitz John. William's claim was withdrawn on the eve of the King Edward I of England announced which of the claimants would inherit the throne in 1292.