William d'Espec, Lord of Helmsley, Yorkshire and Wark, Northumberland

Walter Espec

"... His father was probably William Speche (William Espec), who joined William the Conqueror in the Norman conquest of England.[1] The senior Speche is believed to have become the feudal Baron of Old Wardon by 1086.[2]"

Citationa
[1] H2G2 "Yorkshire's Castles: Helmsley Castle"
Excerpt: "Few records of the castle in the 12th Century survive, although it is known that the castle was in the possession of Walter Espec by 1120. Walter Espec was a member of the royal court, was a justiciar (law officer), and a soldier, fighting against Scotland at the Battle of the Standard in 1138. Walter Espec's father William Speche had been a loyal follower of William The Bastard. Many believe that Helmsley Castle was built under Walter Espec to mark the centre of his estate as its position has little strategic value. It is known that during this time it was still an entirely wooden castle behind the double-moats."

[2] Sanders, I.J. (1960). English Baronies: A Study of Their Origin and Descent, 1086-1327. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 133–134.

Wikipedia "Walter d'Espec" (updated 5 Feb 2020)

stirnet.com "Speke 1" Subscription required to see without interruption.

Various Authors, John Henry ed, 1902. Newman’s Lives of the English Saints, Vol. 5. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK: The Riverside Press. pp. 93-110, 410.