Walter de Beauchamp (justice)

He was the second son and eventual heir of William II de Beauchamp (d.1197) of Elmley, hereditary constable of Worcester Castle and hereditary Sheriff of Worcestershire, who died when Walter was aged about 5, when his wardship and marriage was acquired firstly by William de Braose,[2] and secondly, for the sum of 3,000 marks,[3] by Roger Mortimer (d. 1214) of Wigmore Castle.

In 1212, still not having reached the age of majority (i.e. 21), he was married to Johanna Mortimer (d.1225), his warder's daughter.

He obtained his father's hereditary office of Sheriff of Worcestershire on 19 August 1215, but lost it in May 1216 when, with nineteen of his knights, he deserted to the rebels.

Walter was a witness at the re-issue of Magna Carta on 11 November 1216[1] and in March 1217 he was restored by King Henry III to his shrievalty and castellanship, and became Keeper of the Royal Forests in Worcestershire.

The Beauchamps viewed the office as an asset, and extracted taxes to their own benefit, ensuring that little or no money due to the Crown was paid to it.