Walter de Lacy

Leeds Castle, Kent
Photo © gailf548, Aug 2004

Both Walter and his brother Ilbert were present in the battle at Senlac. It was reported that Sire de lacy was one of a party of seven or eight knights who charged the English in company - "fearing neither prince nor pope. Many a man did they overthrow, many did they wound and many a good horse did they kill."

Walter de Lacy and William Fitz Osbern were sent, in 1069, into Wales to fight against the people of Brecknock whom they defeated with 'great slaughter'.

Walter founded the church of St. Peter at Hereford. At the time of its building Walter, taking an active part in its construction, slipped and fell from a ladder whilst inspecting part of the building. He was killed outright and was burried in the Chapter-house of the Cathedral at Gloucester. By his wife Emmeline he had three sons and two daughters : Roger, Hugh, walter, Ermeline and Emma. Walter became a monk at the Abbey of St. peter at Gloucester and at the time of the compilation of Domesday , Roger is recorded as holding sixty-five lordships in Gloucester as well as the Castle of Civia which King William had bestowed on his father Walter. Conspiring against William Rufus, first with Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and then with Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland, Roger was banished from the realm and all his lands were passed on to his brother Hugh.

Walter's brother Ilbert de lacy recieved for his services at Senlac Leeds Castle, the Castle of Pontefract and one hundred and seventy lordships throughout the counties of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. By his wife Hawise he had two sons Robert and Hugh. Robert completed the building of the Abbey of St. Oswald at Nostell which his father Ilbert had started.