William de Chesney (sheriff)

Chesney was the son of Robert fitz Walter and Sybil de Chesney, and a younger brother of John de Chesney. Sybil was the daughter of Ralph de Chesney. Robert fitz Walter was lord of Horsford in Norfolk, Roger was the eldest brother of William, but died childless during their father's lifetime. The next son, John, inherited the family lands, but died around 1149 Two further children of Robert's, Elias and Peter, are known, but whether they were the children of the first marriage or the second is unclear. ==Career==

Chesney founded Sibton Abbey, which was the only Cistercian house in Suffolk. Besides founding that monastery, he also gave lands or other gifts to Colne Priory, Essex, Thetford Priory, Castle Acre Priory, St John's Abbey, Stoke-by-Clare Priory, and Blythburgh Priory. Chesney acquired the barony of Blythburgh in Suffolk in 1157. Besides Blythburgh, Chesney also acquired lands in Norfolk and Essex which he added to the family lands in Norfolk and Suffolk. Both William's father Robert and his elder brother John had held these offices before him. Chesney was Sheriff of Norfolk in the late 1140s and the 1150s, being recorded as holding that office in two documents – one dated to between 1146 and 1149 and the other dated to between 1146 and 1153. The same documents record him as holding the office of Sheriff of Suffolk at concurrent times. He held both offices again between 1156 and 1163. ==Death and legacy==

Chesney died in 1174, having had three daughters with his wife Gilla. Margaret married twice – first to Hugh de Cressy and second to Robert fitzRoger. Clemence married Jordan de Sackville, and Sara married Richard Engaine. At his death, Chesney had outstanding debts, both to the king and to Jewish moneylenders. In 1214, his daughter Margaret was exempted from repaying any of her father's debts to those moneylenders by a royal grant. ==Notes==