William Compton (courtier) facts for kids

Sir William Compton (born around 1482 – died June 30, 1528) was an important soldier and a close friend of King Henry VIII. He was one of the most trusted people at the king's court during Henry VIII's reign.

Early Life and Family

William Compton was born in Warwickshire, England, around 1482. He was the only son of Edmund Compton and Joan Aylworth. When his father passed away in 1493, William was about eleven years old.

He became a ward of King Henry VII. This meant the king took care of him. William was chosen to be a page for Prince Henry, who would later become King Henry VIII. Even though William was about nine years older, they became very close friends.

Marriage and Children

William Compton married Werburga Brereton in May 1512. She was the daughter of Sir John Brereton. Together, they had a son named Peter and at least two daughters.

• Peter Compton (1523 – 1544) was their oldest son. He was only six when his father died. Peter later married Anne, the daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury.
• Peter and Anne had a son named Henry. Queen Elizabeth I later made Henry a Baron.
• Henry's son, William, was made an Earl by King James I.

After May 1522, William Compton married Elizabeth Stonor. She was the daughter of Sir Walter Stonor. They had at least one child together.

William Compton's Career

When Henry became king in 1509, William Compton was given a very important job: Groom of the Stool. This person was one of the king's closest attendants. The Groom was in charge of the king's personal items, like his clothes, jewels, and tableware. This role showed how much the king trusted William.

Compton also managed several royal estates as a "steward." This meant he looked after the king's lands and properties.

He became a knight on September 25, 1513, after a battle in France called the Battle of the Spurs. William Compton was able to gather 578 soldiers for this war. This was almost as many as all the other members of the king's close advisors combined.

In 1521, William Compton was with King Henry VIII at two very important meetings. One was with King Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. The other was with Emperor Charles V at Gravelines.

He also served in Scotland in 1523. This was one of the few times he was away from the king's court. Some people believed that his rival, Thomas Wolsey, wanted him sent away to reduce his influence over the king.

Even though he wasn't a politician, William Compton became very powerful. He helped King Henry decide who would receive land and special favors. He also became very wealthy himself. Some of the many important jobs he held included:

• Chief Gentleman of the Bedchamber
• Chief Ranger of Windsor Great Park
• Groom of the Stool
• Constable of Gloucester Castle
• Constable of Sudeley Castle
• Constable of Warwick Castle
• Chancellor of Ireland, 1513–1516
• Usher of the Black Rod, 1513
• Sheriff of Hampshire, 1512–1513
• Sheriff of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire, 1513–1514
• Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1516 to 1528
• Under-treasurer of the Exchequer, 1525

Death

Sir William Compton passed away on June 30, 1528. He died from the sweating sickness, a serious illness that also affected other people at court. He was buried in the chapel at Compton Wynyates.

In his will, written in 1523, he made plans for his first wife, Werburga, and his children. His second wife, Elizabeth, was expecting a child when he died. She later had to try to claim her inheritance.

Fictional Stories

Sir William Compton has been shown in television series:

• In 2007, Kris Holden-Ried played a version of William Compton in The Tudors. This show was based on the life of King Henry VIII.
• In 2019, Luke Mullins played him in The Spanish Princess. This series was based on the life of Catherine of Aragon.