Sir William Sidney facts for kids
Sir William Sidney (born around 1482, died 1554) was an important English courtier. He served two kings, Henry VIII and his son, Edward VI.
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Life of Sir William Sidney
Sir William was the oldest son of Nicholas Sidney. His mother, Anne, was the sister of Sir William Brandon. In 1511, he joined Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy on a trip to Spain. They went as volunteers to fight against the Moors. When Darcy decided to return to England, Sidney and his friends stayed behind. They wanted to see Madrid.
King Ferdinand welcomed him warmly. Sidney was offered knighthood but politely said no. Soon after, he traveled back home through France.
Military and Royal Service
In April 1513, Sidney was captain of a ship called the 'Great Bark'. He took part in naval battles near Brest. Later that year, he led the right side of the English army. This was during the famous battle of Flodden. He was made a knight for his brave service.
On March 23, 1514, he received land in Kingston-upon-Hull and Myton. These lands had belonged to Edmund de la Pole. In October, he traveled to Paris with his cousin, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. They went to see Princess Mary become queen of France. She was marrying Louis XII. Sidney played a big part in the celebrations and jousting games.
The next summer, he went to France again. He had an important job. He had to announce that Princess Mary would marry the Duke of Suffolk.
The Sidney family believes Sir William Sidney adopted a special symbol. It was a porcupine with blue quills and a gold collar and chain. This was the symbol of King Louis XII.
Sidney became an Esquire of the Body for King Henry VIII. This meant he was a personal attendant to the king. He married in 1517. In 1520, he went with the king to the Field of the Cloth of Gold. This was a grand meeting between the kings of England and France. In 1523, he fought in the war against France.
In March 1538, he became a tutor and household manager for Prince Edward. This was a very important job. In 1539, he received a lot of land in Kent and Sussex. This was in exchange for land he owned in York and Lincoln. His wife passed away on October 22, 1543. On April 25, 1552, Edward VI gave him more land in Kent. This was the manor of Penshurst.
Sir William Sidney died at Penshurst on February 10, 1554. He was buried in the local church.
Family of Sir William Sidney
Sir William Sidney married Anne Pakenham. Anne was the daughter of Sir Hugh Pakenham. She was also the widow of Thomas FitzWilliam. Their son was Henry Sidney.
In the church of St John the Baptist, Penshurst, you can find Sidney's tomb. It has a special tablet with his family's symbols. The sides show the symbols of his four daughters and their husbands:
- Mary (died February 10, 1542), his oldest daughter. She married Sir William Dormer of Wing, Buckinghamshire.
- Lucy, who married Sir James Harington of Exton Hall, Rutland.
- Anne, who married Sir William FitzWilliam of Milton, Northamptonshire. He was once the lord deputy of Ireland.
- Frances, who married Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex.
Images for kids
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Sir Henry Sydney
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Lady Anne (Sidney) Fitzwilliam, 1577
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The Countess of Sussex c. 1570-75
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