William de Pantulf

     William de was born in Yorkshire, England. He removed to Shropshire & Staffordshire where he became Baron of Wem. According to the Domesday records, he held the Manors of Tyton, Etone, Bratton & Horton. The next known Lord of the Manors of Bratton, Eyton & Horton was Robert de Eyton. He was named Pantulf which meant an idle fellow, - one who proverbially played instead of engaging in warfare. He must have been extremely wealthy to not only having attracted the attention to the point of awarding him that apellation. This name seems to hold some truth to it as the Barony of Wem not only was extensive in rich land, but the tenants paid rent by way of a quit rent and not as military tenants. Indicating that William was not concerned with supplying any type of military assistance. He settled a few miles away from Stone Priory near a church named Edgmond.² William departed this life after 1085. He was still living at the writing of the Domesday Book.