Walter Espec

Walter Espec (died 1153) was a prominent military and judicial figure of the reign of Henry I of England.

His father was probably William Speche, a follower of William I of England[1] In the years up to 1120 he controlled northern England, alongside Eustace Fitz John.[2] He was the builder of Helmsley Castle; he built also Wark Castle.[3] As an old man, when High Sheriff of Yorkshire, he fought against the Scots at the Battle of the Standard in 1138.[4] He was the founder of Kirkham Priory (Augustinians) and later Rievaulx Abbey (Cistercians).[5] Kirkham Priory was founded around 1130.[6] He then donated 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) to Rievaulx, where building started in 1132, and is largely credited for the arrival of the Cistercians in England.[7] By 1135 he also founded Warden Abbey[8] (Wardon) in Bedfordshire, a daughter house of Rievaulx.

References

Notes

  1. H2G2
  2. Paul Dalton, Conquest, Anarchy and Lordship: Yorkshire, 1066–1154 (2002), p. 105.
  3. Wark Castle
  4. Frank Barlow, The Feudal Kingdom of England 1042–1216, (4th edition), p. 211.
  5. People
  6. Houses of Austin canons - Priory of Kirkham | British History Online
  7. Rievaulx- A Virtual Tour
  8. Bedfordshire County Council: Warden Abbey

External links

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