His eldest brother Hubert Walter became the Archbishop of Canterbury and justiciar and Lord Chancellor of England.

Theobald Walter and his brother Hubert were brought up by their uncle Ranulf de Glanvill, the great justiciar of Henry II of England who had married his mother's sister Bertha.

On 25 April 1185, Prince John, in his new capacity as "Lord of Ireland" landed at Waterford and around this time granted the hereditary office of butler of Ireland to Theobald, whereby he and his successors were to attend the Kings of England at their coronation, and on that day present them with the first cup of wine.

[7] Some time after, King Henry II of England granted him the prisage of wines, to enable him, and his heirs, the better to support the dignity of that office.

[11] A manuscript in the National Library of Ireland points to William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber as the agent of his restoration:"Grant by William de Braosa, (senior) to Theobald Walter (le Botiller) the burgh of Kildelon (Killaloe) ... the cantred of Elykaruel (the baronies of Clonlisk and Ballybrit, County Offaly), Eliogarty, Ormond, Ara and Oioney, etc.

[citation needed] He died on 4 February 1206 at Arklow Castle and was buried at Wotheney Abbey.