Walkelin is believed to have been born in about 1135, the son of Robert de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby and his wife, Margaret Peverel.
According to some reports, Walkelin died in 1190 at the Siege of Acre, Jerusalem.
The ancient Derby School may have been first established by William de Barbâ Aprilis and Walter Durdant, Bishop of Lichfield, in the reign of Henry II.
It was re-founded in the second half of the 12th century by Walkelin and his wife, Goda, who gave their own house to be used for the school.
[2] Magna Britannia[3] says of Derby School - Whilst Richard Peche, who succeeded Walter Durdant in 1162, was Bishop of Lichfield, Walkelin de Derby and Goda his wife gave the mansion in which they dwelt, and which Walkelin had purchased of William Alsin, to the canons of Derley, on condition that the hall should be for ever used as a school-room, and the chambers for the dwelling of the master and clerks.