My wife's ancestors - Fitzwilliam - Contents

Sir William Fitzwilliam

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • Sir William Fitzwilliam in [DNB]
  • Sir William Fitzwilliam in The History of Parliament 1509-1558 and 1558-1603.

Sir William Fitzwilliam,
born pre-1506.
See wikipedia.
Like his brother, he went to England.
Started in service (by 1536) of William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton (cr 1537, died 1542).
He was granted the manor of Celbridge, Co.Kildare, 1537.

He mar by 1539 to Jane Roberts [descendant of Edward I].
William was Member of the Privy Council.
Knighted 1551-52 by Edward VI.
In 1551 Edward VI granted him Highclere and Burghclere, Hampshire. See [Nichols, 1858].
He lived in the Great Park at Windsor.
His will dated 27 Apr, "2 and 3 of Philip and Mary". This is 27 Apr 1556.
Queen Mary cancelled the grant of Highclere and Burghclere. But Queen Elizabeth restored the grant.
Sir William was spoken of by Queen Elizabeth as a person who stood high in her esteem [Ball, vol.2, 1903].
He died 3 Oct 1559.
He was bur in the Bray Chantry, St. George's chapel, Windsor Castle.

Jane lived as a widow at Chertsey.
Her will pr 1575. She asked to be bur with husband.
Sir William's heirs sold Highclere and Burghclere in 1577. These lands later became the property of Sawyer.
Sir William and Jane had issue:

1. Catherine Fitzwilliam.
   She mar pre-c.1560 to Christopher Preston, 4th Viscount Gormanston [born 1537] and had issue.

Tomb of Sir William Fitzwilliam, Bray Chantry, St. George's chapel, Windsor Castle.
Photo 2017. See larger and full size.

The arms on the tomb.
Does not look like the Fitzwilliam arms.
Photo 2017. See larger and full size.
See other shot.