Who Built St. Mary's?

In my quest to compile a history of Belchamp Walter the questions of "Who Built the church?" and why comes to mind. Also who commissioned it?

Botetourt

There is much confusion about the Botetourts and Belchamp Walter. The 13th Century saw the birth of the 1st Lord Botetourt, Sir John served Edward I in Gloucestershire and Scotland and became a baron and member of Edward I and Edward II's parliament. He was a Lord Ordainer and fought in the Battle of Boroughbridge against Edward II. He was involved in some way with High Depenser the Younger and lands and manors were "redistibuted" in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Belchamp Walter and other manors are mentioned in Inquisitions Post Mortems from this time and definite association with Despenser can be established. Who transferred what land to whom is not clear, However, it well known that Despenser had "his fingers in many pies" at the time.

Financing for Despenser War and the depostion of Edward II, the reign of Isabella and Mortimer leading to the coronation of Edward III, involved the Italian bankers, the Peruzzi, who both Botetourt and Despenser had dealings. Hugh had money deposited with them and John had a loan.

14th century: The Crash of Peruzzi and the Bardi family in 1345

The Peruzzi are a strange connection to Belchamp Walter. The wars of the 14th century and the building of a church, or at least the expansion, in Belchamp Walter are also a strange connection to make. However, the money came from somewhere.

Newcourt does not record who was the Vicar (Vicarii) before 1370 when Richard de Okeham appears to have suceeded John Clerke. The Archbishop was Simon of Sudbury and the Patron was the Priory and convent of Earls Colne. The Botetourt who was associated with Belchamp Walter would have been the 2nd Lord Botetourt or Thomas de Botetourt.