My wife's ancestors - Sidney - Contents

Sir William Sidney

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • Sir William Sidney in [DNB]

Tomb of Sir William Sidney, Penshurst church.
Photo 2007. See full size.
From jmc4 on Flickr. Used with permission.

Sir William Sidney (see here), born 1482.
Courtier to Henry VIII (reigned 1509-47).
Knighted 1513 after Battle of Flodden (defeat of Scots). In this battle John Huntar, 14th Laird of Hunterston and George Douglas, Master of Angus fought on the other side and died.

He mar post-1513 to Anne Pakenham [or Packenham or Pagenham, dau of Sir Hugh Pakenham and Anne Clement].
Anne was widow of Thomas Fitzwilliam who died at Flodden.
Sir William was tutor (and later steward) to the young Edward VI (born 1537, reigned 1547-53).
Anne was governess to the young Edward VI.
Sir William lived at the massive Baynard's Castle in central London.

Granted Penshurst:
Edward VI granted him Penshurst Place, Kent in 1552.
He did not live to enjoy Penshurst himself.
He died 7 Feb 1554, age 72 yrs,
bur in "Sidney chapel" in Penshurst village church.
Sir William and Anne had issue:

1. Lucy Sidney,
   mar 1539 to Sir James Harrington and had issue.

   
   

2. Sir Henry Sidney, K.G., born 1529.

   
   

3. Frances Sidney,
   founder of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
   She mar 1555 to Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex [born c.1525].
   He was Lord Deputy of Ireland 1556.
   He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1560-1566.
   His brothers-in-law Sir Henry Sidney, K.G. and Sir William Fitzwilliam were Lord Deputy etc. at similar time.
   He died 9 June 1583, age c.58 yrs.
   Frances died 9 Mar 1589 [new style year].
   She left £5000 in her will to found a college in Cambridge in memory of her husband. Sidney Sussex College was founded 1596.
   The streets beside it are Sidney St and Sussex St.

   
   

4. Anne (or Agnes) Sidney,
   mar Sir William Fitzwilliam and had issue.

Frances Sidney.
Portrait 1570-75. From Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Used with permission.
See full size. Scan from here.

Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex.
Portrait 1560-65. From here.
Another portrait here.

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Tomb of Sir William Sidney, Penshurst church

Tomb of Sir William Sidney, Penshurst chapel.
Photo 2010. From here. Used with permission.

Tomb of Sir William Sidney, Penshurst chapel.
Photo 1998.
See larger and full size.

Wider shot showing location of tomb of Sir William Sidney, in corner of Penshurst church.
Tomb of 4th Earl of Leicester on RHS.
Photo 2007. See full size.
From jmc4 on Flickr. Used with permission.

Penshurst village church, 2005.
See full size.
From here. See terms of use.