Jump to content

William Spencer (Sheriff)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir William Spencer
Bornc. 1496
Althorp, Northamptonshire
Died(1532-06-22)22 June 1532
Althorp, Northamptonshire
BuriedBrington Church
Noble familySpencer
Spouse(s)Susan Knightley
IssueJohn Spencer
Isobel Spencer
Jane Spencer
FatherJohn Spencer
MotherIsabella Graunt

Sir William Spencer (c. 1496 – 22 June 1532) was an English nobleman, politician, knight, landowner, and High Sheriff from the Spencer family.

Life and family

[edit]

Spencer was the son of John Spencer of Hodnell and Wormleighton, Warwickshire, and Althorp, Northamptonshire, and his wife, Isabella Graunt.

In the parish church for Althorp, St Mary the Virgin in Great Brington, Sir William bequeathed the church's east window of stained glass which depicted St. John the Baptist and the Spencer coat of arms, now in a south window of the chancel, in memory of his father, and a plain altar tomb with an Elizabethan tablet commemorating his life and death and that of his lady Susan, the daughter of Sir Richard Knightley.[1]

Spencer was appointed Sheriff of Northamptonshire for 1531–32, but died in office and was replaced by Sir David Cecil. He was buried in Brington church, the parish church for Althorp.

Marriage and issue

[edit]

Spencer married Susan Knightley, the daughter of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley, Northamptonshire and had a son, John Spencer, and five daughters. His daughter Isobel married Sir John Cotton, MP for Cambridgeshire. His daughter Jane married Sir Richard Brydges, MP for Berkshire.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ H. Gawthorne, S. Mattingly, G. W. Shaeffer, M. Avery, B. Thomas, R. Barnard, M. Young, Revd. N. V. Knibbs, R. Horne: "The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Great Brington. 800 Years of English History", published as "Brington Church: A Popular History" in 1989 and printed by Peerless Press.
  • "Cracrofts Peerage". Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.