Belchamp Walter in the 12th Century

This page is currently being reviewed with repect to how the history of country relates to the region.

Belchamp Walter in the 12th Century has the de Vere's as the reported "holders" of the region. Aubrey and Beatrice founded the Priory at Earl's Colne in 1111.

According to Thomas Wright the land was given as a marriage "gift" to Rohse de Vere on her marriage to Geoffrey de Mandeville.

Being the first century after Conquest there was much turmoil in the country, many allegences were formed and switched by those in power. This is seen in the region in the form of many castles being built and the de Vere and de Clare families involved in this struggle. (this starting in the 11th Century)

As far as the village is concerned there was an element of life going on as it was in most of the country. The "ownership" of the land was being passed from family to family and the residents of the community were most likely to be unaware of these transactions. This continued into the 13th Century and the landscape of Belchamp Walter did not change from an agricutural "resource" for its owners.

1100 to 1200

In the struggle for power in the country much "manovering" was taking place. Its effect on the local region was probably significant. The change of king from the Conqueror (dying in 1087) to his son Henry I and the dispute over the "rightful" successor to the throne was similar to the events that were to happen in Belchamp Walter in the next century. Of lesser import the successors of the de Veres and de Clares still shaped the future of the country and the local region.

Key Families

Many important family names are associated with the region of North Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

The lack of male heirs meant that land was "passed" in a manner that will not necessarily make sense. Looking at the family trees of those families is only of secondary help in understanding how things "came about". The connection between the de Veres, the de Beauchamps and then the de Botetourts (in the thirteenth century) is significant to the region.

The succession of the royal line from Henry I, the son and successor of William I through Steven, Henry II, Richard I, John, Henry III and then the Edwards saw a major connection through de Botetourt. Sir John de Botetourt was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of Edward I (apparently disproven) but was a key player for all the Kings Edward.

I had taken the text from Thomas Wright - HToE for Belchamp Walter and extracted family names. What I need to do is to follow some of his footnotes to see if I can corrolate them with my subsequent research

Thomas Wright a Research Link - Will be removed - Wright seems to be using Matthew Paris and Dugdale here.

The connection between the de Veres, the Fitz-Othos and the de Botetorts

Below is family tree taken from the Bedford Historical Record Society - The Beauchamps, Barons of Bedford:

Although the tree is not clear it does show the connection of many of the key families.

It shows the marriage of Payne de Beauchamp (1144) to Rohese (Rohelas) de Vere and Matilda Fitz-Otho and John Botetourt (1302).

It also shows the Ida Wake (Longsspee), Baldwin Wake, William de Monchensy and John de Styngrove.

The tree covers the periods of the 12th to the 14th centuries.