William de Cantilupe (died 1251)


William II de Cantilupe , 2nd feudal baron of Eaton Bray in Bedfordshire, was an Anglo-Norman magnate.

Origins

He was the eldest son and heir of William I de Cantilupe, 1st feudal baron of Eaton Bray, steward of the household to King John, a royal administrator and sheriff, by his wife Mazilia de Braci. His younger brother was Walter de Cantilupe, Bishop of Worcester.

Career

He became a retainer of Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester and served with him on King Henry III's expedition to Brittany. In 1238 he joined the royal household of King Henry III and was appointed Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 1239. In 1242 he was one of the three Keepers of the Realm during the king's absence campaigning in Poitou.

Marriage and children

He married Millicent de Gournai, a daughter of Hugh de Gournai and widow of Amaury VI of Montfort-Évreux, Earl of Gloucester. By his marriage he gained six and a half fees in Oxfordshire. Millicent survived him and in 1255 was awarded the custody of Princess Margaret, later Queen of Scots, daughter of King Henry III. By Millicent he had issue including:
He died in 1251 and was succeeded by his eldest son William III de Cantilupe.