William II de Cantilupe (d.1251) (anciently Cantelow, Cantelou, Canteloupe, etc, Latinised to de Cantilupo) [2] was an Anglo-Norman landownwer and administrator.
He was born the son of William I de Cantilupe, who had also been an administrator and Sheriff. His brother was Walter de Cantilupe, Bishop of Worcester.
He married Millicent (or Maud), the daughter of Hugh de Gournai, which brought him further land.
He became a retainer of Ranulph, Earl of Chester and served with him on King Henry's expedition to Brittany. He then in 1238 joined the royal household and was appointed Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 1239. In 1242 he was one of the three Keepers of the Realm during the king's absence campaigning in Poitevin.
He died in 1251. His widow was awarded custody of Henry III's daughter Margaret, later Queen of Scots. He was succeeded by his son William III de Cantilupe. Another son, Thomas de Cantilupe, was Bishop of Hereford and a saint.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.