William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton
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William FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton, KG (c. 1490 in Aldwark, North Yorkshire
– 15 October 1542 in Newcastle upon Tyne
), English courtier, was the third son of Sir Thomas FitzWilliam of Aldwark and Lady Lucy Neville (daughter of the Marquess of Montagu
).
His father died while FitzWilliam was in his infancy, and his mother remarried Sir Anthony Browne, the elder, so that William was stepbrother to Sir Anthony Browne
. Probably as a result of this connection, he was chosen as a companion for Henry, Prince of Wales
(later King Henry VIII) and brought up alongside him. After King Henry's coronation in 1509, he was made a Gentleman Usher
and King's Cupbearer
, and gradually rose at Court. He began his military career at sea, serving under the Marquess of Dorset
in 1512 and Sir Edward Howard
in the disastrous second attack on Brest
. Unlike his commander, he escaped the debacle, but was badly injured by a crossbow bolt. He had recovered sufficiently to accompany the King into France as an Esquire of the Body, and was knighted on 25 September 1513, the day after the capture of Tournai
. In November he married Mabel Clifford, daughter of the Lord Clifford, but the marriage would prove childless.
Fitzwilliam achieved distinction as naval commander, as diplomat and as government minister. Much of his time as Vice-Admiral (1513–1525) and Admiral was spent keeping the Channel
free from pirates, and he gained praise from Wolsey for his initiative in actions against the French in the war of 1522/3. His time as ambassador at the French court in 1521/2 attracted favourable notice from Wolsey and showed his suitability for higher office. Later missions failed: Henry's obsession with the divorce gave his ambassadors little scope for initiative. He became Treasurer of the Household
in 1525, a post which gave him an ex officio seat on the evolving Privy Council
. He was appointed Captain of in 1524 and maintained a connection with Calais
for the rest of his life, being largely responsible for the Calais Act of 1536; he also played a significant part in defusing religious unrest in Calais in the later 1530s. He was a capable Lord Privy Seal
from 1540 to his death in 1542, but he failed to address serious structural faults at the Duchy of Lancaster
and the Admiralty administration
, probably because with several offices he was overworked - a serious fault in the Tudor system. As regional magnate he eliminated factional strife in Surrey
.
He acted as 'enforcer' for Henry in the fall of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the Pilgrimage of Grace
and the Exeter Conspiracy
. In 1539, as Admiral, he conveyed Anne of Cleves
from Calais, and on first meeting her wrote letters in her praise to Henry, 'considering it was then no tyme to dyspraise her, ... the matter being so far passed.'
Aldwark, North Yorkshire
Aldwark is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 116 , and is situated on the River Ouse about 14 miles from York. It has a wood called Aldwark Wood and a wood called Aldwark Bridge Wood.The main attractions for visitors to the...
– 15 October 1542 in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
), English courtier, was the third son of Sir Thomas FitzWilliam of Aldwark and Lady Lucy Neville (daughter of the Marquess of Montagu
John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu
John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu KG was a Yorkist leader in the Wars of the Roses, best-known for eliminating Lancastrian resistance in the north of England during the early part of the reign of Edward IV of England....
).
His father died while FitzWilliam was in his infancy, and his mother remarried Sir Anthony Browne, the elder, so that William was stepbrother to Sir Anthony Browne
Anthony Browne
Anthony Browne may refer to:*Anthony Browne , author and illustrator of children's books*Anthony Browne , journalist, author, and policy director for London mayor Boris Johnson...
. Probably as a result of this connection, he was chosen as a companion for Henry, Prince of Wales
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
(later King Henry VIII) and brought up alongside him. After King Henry's coronation in 1509, he was made a Gentleman Usher
Gentleman Usher
Gentleman Usher is a title for some officers of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. See List of Gentlemen Ushers for a list of office-holders.-Historical:...
and King's Cupbearer
Cup-bearer
A cup-bearer was an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty it was to serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold this position. He must guard against poison in the king's cup, and...
, and gradually rose at Court. He began his military career at sea, serving under the Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, KG, KB was an English peer, courtier, soldier and landowner, the grandfather of Lady Jane Grey, briefly Queen of England.-Early life:...
in 1512 and Sir Edward Howard
Edward Howard (admiral)
Sir Edward Howard, KG , son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Surrey and his first wife, Elizabeth Tilney, and a younger brother of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. He was the first of the Howards to win fame as an admiral, participating in his first naval battle while in his teens...
in the disastrous second attack on Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
. Unlike his commander, he escaped the debacle, but was badly injured by a crossbow bolt. He had recovered sufficiently to accompany the King into France as an Esquire of the Body, and was knighted on 25 September 1513, the day after the capture of Tournai
Tournai
Tournai is a Walloon city and municipality of Belgium located 85 kilometres southwest of Brussels, on the river Scheldt, in the province of Hainaut....
. In November he married Mabel Clifford, daughter of the Lord Clifford, but the marriage would prove childless.
Fitzwilliam achieved distinction as naval commander, as diplomat and as government minister. Much of his time as Vice-Admiral (1513–1525) and Admiral was spent keeping the Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
free from pirates, and he gained praise from Wolsey for his initiative in actions against the French in the war of 1522/3. His time as ambassador at the French court in 1521/2 attracted favourable notice from Wolsey and showed his suitability for higher office. Later missions failed: Henry's obsession with the divorce gave his ambassadors little scope for initiative. He became Treasurer of the Household
Treasurer of the Household
The position of Treasurer of the Household is theoretically held by a household official of the British monarch, under control of the Lord Steward's Department, but is, in fact, a political office held by one of the government's Deputy Chief Whips in the House of Commons...
in 1525, a post which gave him an ex officio seat on the evolving Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
. He was appointed Captain of in 1524 and maintained a connection with Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
for the rest of his life, being largely responsible for the Calais Act of 1536; he also played a significant part in defusing religious unrest in Calais in the later 1530s. He was a capable Lord Privy Seal
Lord Privy Seal
The Lord Privy Seal is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council and above the Lord Great Chamberlain. The office is one of the traditional sinecure offices of state...
from 1540 to his death in 1542, but he failed to address serious structural faults at the Duchy of Lancaster
Duchy of Lancaster
The Duchy of Lancaster is one of the two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Cornwall. It is held in trust for the Sovereign, and is used to provide income for the use of the British monarch...
and the Admiralty administration
Admiralty administration
The administration of the British Admiralty consists of the following branches and officers.-Department of the Controller :Spending branches are in the department of the controller, and it will be well, while we are dealing with the material side of the Royal Navy, to describe briefly their...
, probably because with several offices he was overworked - a serious fault in the Tudor system. As regional magnate he eliminated factional strife in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.
He acted as 'enforcer' for Henry in the fall of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the Pilgrimage of Grace
Pilgrimage of Grace
The Pilgrimage of Grace was a popular rising in York, Yorkshire during 1536, in protest against Henry VIII's break with the Roman Catholic Church and the Dissolution of the Monasteries, as well as other specific political, social and economic grievances. It was done in action against Thomas Cromwell...
and the Exeter Conspiracy
Exeter Conspiracy
The Exeter Conspiracy, 1538, was a supposed attempt to depose the reigning Henry VIII and replace him with a Yorkist, Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, KG who was 1st cousin to the King. An Act of Attainder was brought against the Marquess of Exeter and he was found guilty of treason by his...
. In 1539, as Admiral, he conveyed Anne of Cleves
Anne of Cleves
Anne of Cleves was a German noblewoman and the fourth wife of Henry VIII of England and as such she was Queen of England from 6 January 1540 to 9 July 1540. The marriage was never consummated, and she was not crowned queen consort...
from Calais, and on first meeting her wrote letters in her praise to Henry, 'considering it was then no tyme to dyspraise her, ... the matter being so far passed.'