Introduction
For other persons named William de Vescy, or William de Vesci, see William de Vesci (disambiguation).
William de Vesci (c.1125–1184) was an Anglo-Norman feudal lord and Sheriff. Born William fitz Eustace at Knaresborough Castle, Yorkshire, the son of Eustace Fitz John and Beatrix de Vesci, he took his mothers surname.
He was appointed Sheriff of Northumberland from 1155 to 1170 and then Sheriff of Lancashire from 1166 to 1170.
In 1174 he joined other knights such as Bernard de Balliol and Robert III de Stuteville under the command of Ranulf de Glanville, Sheriff of Westmorland to attack an invading Scottish army then besieging Alnwick castle in Northumberland. The Scottish king William I of Scotland (William the Lion) was captured and the invasion successfully repelled.
Marriage and issue
He married Burga de Stuteville, daughter of Robert III de Stuteville, they had issue:
- Maud, married Thomas de Muschamp.
- Eustace, died 1216. He married Margaret, illegitimate daughter of William the Lion, King of Scotland.
- Richard
- Warin
- Cecily
He also allegedly fathered an illegitimate daughter Sibil, who married Walter de Bolbec.