Walter Espec (died 1153) was a prominent military and judicial figure of the reign of Henry I of England. In the years up to 1120 he with Eustace Fitz John controlled northern England.

Military man

He was the builder of Helmsley Castle; he built also Wark Castle. As an old man, he fought against the Scots at the Battle of the Standard in 1138.

Monastic founder

He was the founder of Kirkham Priory (Augustinians) and later Rievaulx Abbey (Cistercians).

Kirkham Priory was founded around 1130. He then donated to Rievaulx, where building started in 1132, and is largely credited for the arrival of the Cistercians in England. By 1135 he also founded Warden Abbey (Wardon) in Bedfordshire, a daughter house of Rievaulx.

Family

His father was William Speche, a follower of William I of England.