William Dormer facts for kids

Sir William Dormer (died May 17, 1575) was an important knight and politician during the Tudor times in England. He was also a captain and a member of the Order of the Bath, which is a special group of knights.

Who Was Sir William Dormer?

William Dormer was born before 1514. He was the only child of Sir Robert Dormer and Jane Newdigate. His family lived in places like West Wycombe and Wing, Buckinghamshire.

From 1535 to 1559, Sir William's main home was Eythrope in Buckinghamshire. He might have worked for Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII. If so, Cromwell might have helped him marry Mary Sidney. In 1553, he was made a knight of the Order of the Bath. This was a big honor!

Sir William's Role in Parliament and War

Sir William Dormer was a member of the English Parliament several times. This means he helped make laws for the country.

In 1542, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Chipping Wycombe. He also served in the army during a war against France in 1544. He was a captain leading 100 men. Later, in 1546, he went with his father to meet the French ambassador at court.

In 1553, he was elected as an MP for Buckinghamshire. This was during the reign of King Edward VI.

Supporting Queen Mary I

In 1553, there was a big problem about who would be the next ruler after King Edward VI. John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, tried to make Lady Jane Grey queen. However, Sir William Dormer supported Mary Tudor.

Because of his support, Queen Mary confirmed his job as a falconer in 1554. He might have also become the Sheriff for Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. This was possibly because his daughter, Jane Dormer, was a close friend of Queen Mary. His daughter's friendship likely helped him get elected to Parliament again in 1558.

The tomb of Sir William Dormer and his second wife, Dorothy, in Wing Church, Buckinghamshire.

Later Life and Legacy

After Queen Mary died, her sister Elizabeth became queen. Queen Elizabeth brought back the Anglican Church. Sir William Dormer and his family were Catholic, and they did not like this change. His mother and daughter Jane even left England.

However, Sir William's Catholic beliefs did not stop his political career. In 1571, he was again an MP for Buckinghamshire.

Sir William Dormer passed away at the age of 72 on May 17, 1575. He was buried in his family's special burial place in All Saints' Church, Wing. His second wife, Dorothy, built a monument for him in the church. She also started an almshouse (a home for poor people) in Wing to remember him.

Sir William's Family Life

Sir William Dormer was married twice and had many children.

First Marriage

His first wife was Mary Sidney. She was the oldest daughter of Sir William Sidney. Sir William and Mary had two sons, Thomas and Robert, who sadly died when they were babies. They also had two daughters:

• Anne Dormer: She married Sir Walter Hungerford.
• Jane Dormer: She was a lady-in-waiting (a helper) to Queen Mary I. Jane later married the Duke of Feria, who was the Spanish ambassador.

Second Marriage

After Mary died, Sir William married Dorothy Catesby around 1550. Dorothy was 20 years younger than him. They had one son and six daughters:

• Robert Dormer, 1st Baron Dormer: He married Elizabeth Browne.
• Mary: She married Anthony Browne.
• Grissel
• Katherine: She married John St John, 2nd Baron St John of Bletso.
• Frances
• Amphyllis
• Margaret: She married Sir Henry Constable.

After Sir William Dormer died, his widow Dorothy married Sir William Pelham.

Images for kids

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  Late 16th century c. 1592, oil portrait of a member of the Browne and or Dormer family