William de Ferrers, 3rd Earl of Derby

William de Ferrers, 3rd Earl of Derby ( † 1190 Acre ) was an Anglo -Norman nobleman in the 12th century.

He was a son of Robert de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby and Margaret Peverel. When his father's death in 1162 he took over his legacy as Earl of Derby.

Because of his mother's family during the English Civil War (1135-1154) were loyal followers of King Stephen against the " Empress" Mathilda, William was on the part of King Henry II, who was a son of the " Empress", his mother's heritage withheld. For this reason he joined in 1173 the revolt of the King's eldest son, the young King Henry, at. He burned down in Nottingham, but on July 31, 1174 he was captured along with the Scots King William I at Northampton. His freedom William had to pay dearly at King Henry II.

In 1189, William took the cross on the Third Crusade. Instead of the British main army to pull under King Richard the Lionheart, he joined an advance party of French knights. He died during the siege of Acre, as the Annales de Margan and the Gesta of the abbot Benedict report.

Married William de Ferrers with Sibyll de Braose, daughter of William de Braose, 3rd Baron of Bramber and his wife Bertha de Hereford, their son William ( † September 22, 1247 ) inherited the title.