The Fitzwalter family

The Fitzwalter family were a prominent Essex family with a seat at Woodham Walter and wielded influence by their land owning throughout the area.

Their wealth was  founded by Walter Fitzwalter  (d 1198) who established home in the Dunmow area. His son Robert was elected leader of the Barons who forced King John to accept the Magna Carta and his signature appears on the document.

Walter Fitzwalter ( b1400 d1432) was the 7th Baron had by this time moved the family seat to Woodham Walter . His only child was a daughter called Elizabeth who in 1444 she married Sir John Radcliffe .

Their son John( b1452 b1492) was summoned to parliament in 1485 as Baron Fitzwalter. He took part in the Perkin Warbeck conspiracy and in 1495 was beheaded.
John's son Robert ( b 1483 -1542) regained the trust of the Monarch and was created as 1st Viscount Fitzwalter.

On the death of Robert, the 6th Earl Fitzwalter, in 1629 the title passed to the Mildmay family.