Walter of Pattishall facts for kids
Walter of Pattishall was an important person in England who lived a long time ago, around the 1200s. He worked for the king as a judge and helped manage the country. He came from a very important family, as his father, Simon of Pattishall, was a top judge, and his brother, Hugh of Pattishall, became a bishop (a high-ranking church leader).
Walter inherited land in several parts of England, like Northamptonshire and Yorkshire. He also gained more land when he married Margery, the daughter of Richard d'Argentan.
Working for the King
Walter followed in his father's footsteps and became a judge himself. He started working as a traveling judge in the South Midlands around 1218. This meant he would travel to different towns to hear cases and make decisions. He continued to serve as a royal judge occasionally until 1231.
A New Role: High Sheriff
Even though he wasn't the most famous judge, Walter was given a very important job on January 18, 1224. He became the High Sheriff for the areas of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. A High Sheriff was like a governor or a chief law enforcement officer for a county. Walter took over this role from a person named Falkes de Breauté, who was causing a lot of trouble for the king.
The Bedford Castle Challenge
Falkes de Breauté eventually rebelled against the king. This led to a big event where the king's forces surrounded and attacked Bedford Castle. After the king's side won and took over the castle, Walter of Pattishall and another official, Henry of Braybrooke, were given a tough order. The king told them to tear down Bedford Castle.
This was a difficult situation for Walter and Henry. They were both "vassals" of William de Beauchamp, who owned Bedford Castle and was its traditional leader. Being a vassal meant they had a special loyalty to William de Beauchamp. However, their loyalty to the king was stronger. In the end, they followed the king's orders, and Bedford Castle was torn down.
Walter of Pattishall stopped being High Sheriff on September 5, 1228. He passed away sometime between August 1231 and August 1232. He was survived by his wife, Margery, and his son, Sir Simon of Pattishall.
