Andrew Windsor, 1st Baron Windsor facts for kids

Andrew Windsor, 1st Baron Windsor (1467–1543) was an important English nobleman. He was a Member of Parliament (MP), a lord, and a key official in the royal household. He also served as a brave military leader and was made a Knight Banneret.

What's in a Name?

For a long time, people knew him as 'Andrew' or 'Andrewe'. This is how his name appeared in old writings before 1650. However, a historian named Sir William Dugdale later called him 'Andrews' Windsor. This change might have come from his mother's maiden name, which was Andrewes.

Later, a relative named Thomas-Windsor Hickman took on the Windsor name. He even named one of his own children 'Andrews' Windsor. This seems to be why some writers, like Arthur Collins, started using 'Andrews' for the 1st Baron.

But other historians, like John Burke, kept using 'Andrew'. Today, when historians talk about him, they usually call him Sir Andrew. This is the name he used during his own lifetime.

His Family and Early Life

Andrew Windsor's family had a long history in England. They lived in a place called Stanwell, near Windsor Castle, since 1086. His ancestors even took the name "Wyndsore" from the castle.

Andrew's father, Thomas Wyndsore, was only 11 years old when his own father died in 1451. Thomas later married Elizabeth Andrewes around 1465. Andrew was born about 1467, as their oldest son.

In 1483, Thomas Wyndsore was supposed to become a knight for King Edward V, but the king's reign ended quickly. In 1485, King Richard III made Thomas the Constable of Windsor Castle. After a big battle, his lands were taken away, but King Henry VII gave them back right away. Thomas died soon after, and Andrew became his heir.

Starting His Career

After his father passed away, Andrew's mother, Elizabeth, married Sir Robert Lytton. Sir Robert became the Keeper of the Wardrobe for King Henry VII in 1492. This was an important job in charge of the king's clothes and other royal items.

Andrew married Elizabeth Blount. Her brother was Edward Blount, 2nd Baron Mountjoy, another important nobleman. Andrew's brothers and sisters also married into well-known families. Andrew inherited lands in many places, including Suffolk. Throughout his life, he continued to gain more property across the kingdom.

Andrew studied law and became a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) in several counties, like Hampshire and Middlesex, starting in the 1500s. This meant he helped keep law and order. He also worked as a commissioner for taxes and managed lands for important people like the Duke of Buckingham.

When his stepfather, Sir Robert Lytton, died in 1505, Andrew took over his job as Keeper of the Wardrobe. This gave him many chances to become wealthy and influential. He worked closely with Edmund Dudley, a powerful financial advisor to the king.

When King Henry VII died in 1509, Dudley was arrested. But Andrew Windsor was honored by the new king, Henry VIII. He was made a Knight of the Bath at Henry VIII's coronation. Andrew also helped Dudley's family after Dudley was executed in 1510. In that same year, Andrew became a Member of Parliament for Cricklade.

Serving as a Knight

Andrew Windsor played a big part in King Henry VIII's military trip to France in 1513. He arrived in Calais with the King and served as the Treasurer for the King's army. He was at the Siege of Thérouanne and the Battle of the Spurs. After these victories, he was one of the first to be made a Knight Banneret. This was a special honor given to knights who fought bravely under the king's banner. The army then captured the city of Tournay.

In 1514, as a Knight Banneret, he traveled with Mary, the King's sister, to France for her marriage to King Louis XII. Back in England, he continued his duties, managing lands and collecting taxes.

In 1520, Andrew was asked to join the King and Queen at Canterbury. He then traveled with them to Calais for the famous meeting with the King of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. This was a very grand event where the kings showed off their wealth.

Life at Home

In 1520, Andrew's oldest son, George, sadly died when he was still young. George was buried in a chapel near Stanwell. Andrew's sister, Margaret, was a prioress at a nearby abbey called Syon Abbey.

In 1522, there were problems with France. English merchants complained that the French king had taken their goods. As a result, Andrew Windsor was one of the lords asked to guard French hostages in England.

He likely served in Parliament again in 1523. This was around the time laws were passed that allowed him and his brother to keep their jobs managing lands for the Duke of Buckingham.

Military Campaigns and Later Years

After more conflicts, in August 1523, a royal army was sent to France. Sir Andrew Wyndsore was one of the commanders. They used modern artillery to capture cities like Montdidier. However, the trip ended in the cold winter.

For the next three years, Andrew was suggested for the Order of the Garter, a very high honor, but he never received it. Still, he remained in favor with Cardinal Wolsey, a powerful advisor to the King. Andrew also became a legal advisor to Wolsey.

Andrew survived the fall of Wolsey from power. In 1529, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire. But his time there was short. On December 1, he was made a lord, becoming Baron Windsor.

As a lord, he signed a letter to Pope Clement VII. This letter asked the Pope to agree to King Henry VIII's divorce from Queen Katherine. The letter warned that if the Pope did not agree, the King would find other ways to get his divorce. Andrew regularly attended the House of Lords after this.

He was also named an executor in the will of Archbishop Warham in 1530. He tried to help Syon Abbey during the time when many monasteries were being closed down by the King. He continued to serve the King, attending Queen Jane in 1536 and greeting Anne of Cleves in 1539. Andrew was a wealthy and powerful man, and he was not afraid to stand up for his rights.

Losing His Home and His Death

The last part of Andrew Windsor's story is quite sad. King Henry VIII, encouraged by Thomas Cromwell, started taking over lands from monasteries and giving them to his supporters. In late 1542, the King visited Andrew at his family home in Stanwell. Andrew gave him a grand welcome.

But then the King announced that Andrew had to give up Stanwell and all its lands to him. In return, Andrew would receive Bordesley Abbey and its lands in Worcestershire. Andrew humbly pleaded that Stanwell had been his family's home for many generations. But the King firmly said, It must be.

Andrew left all the Christmas provisions he had prepared at Stanwell, saying the place should not be found empty. He moved to a new home called Hewell Grange.

Andrew Windsor wrote his will on March 26, 1543, from Stanwell. He died four days later. His wife had died before him. He asked to be buried with her in the chapel at Hounslow and wanted a suitable monument built for them. He also wanted his son George's tomb to be finished properly. His sons William and Edward, along with other important figures, were named as executors of his will.

Andrew's son, William, the 2nd Baron Windsor, owned the chapel at Hounslow after his father's death. Later, when William's son, Edward Windsor, 3rd Baron Windsor, sold the chapel, the new owner promised to take care of the tombs of Sir Andrew and George Wyndsore. There is a monument that might be for Andrew and Elizabeth, showing a kneeling figure in armor with his wife.

Family

Andrew Windsor married Elizabeth Blount. She was the sister of Edward Blount, 2nd Baron Mountjoy. They had several children:

• George Windsor (died 1520), their oldest son. He married Ursula de Vere.
• Sir William Windsor, who became the 2nd Baron Windsor after his father (1542–1558). He married Margaret Sambourne and later Elizabeth Cowdrey. His son, Edward Windsor, 3rd Baron Windsor, became the 3rd Baron.
• Edmund Windsor, who was a Knight of the Carpet in 1553.
• Thomas Windsor, who was a Member of Parliament. He married Mary Beckingham.
• Elizabeth Windsor (died 1548–49), who married Sir Peter Vavasour.
• Anne Windsor, who married Roger Corbet.
• Edith Windsor, who married George Ludlow.
• Eleanor Windsor, who married Ralph Scrope, 10th Baron Scrope of Masham. After he died, she married Sir Edward Neville.