William Drury (MP for Suffolk) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir William Drury
Sir William Drury of Hawstead, Suffolk, 1587.
Born	8 March 1550
Died	1589
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Stafford
Children	Sir Robert Drury Charles Drury Frances Drury Elizabeth Drury Diana Drury Susanna Drury
Parent(s)	Robert Drury, Audrey Rich

Sir William Drury was an important English gentleman who lived from 1550 to 1589. He owned a lot of land and was also a member of Parliament. His son, Sir Robert Drury, was a friend and supporter of a famous poet named John Donne.

Sir William's Family Life

William Drury was born on March 8, 1550. He was the oldest son of Robert Drury and Audrey Rich. Audrey's father was Richard Rich, a very important person who was the Lord Chancellor of England. William had a big family with three brothers and eight sisters:

• Henry Drury
• Thomas Drury (born May 8, 1551)
• Robert Drury (who died as a baby)
• Anne Drury, who married John Thornton.
• Mary Drury (born February 14, 1546), who married Robert Russell.
• Elizabeth Drury (born February 8, 1547), who married Thomas Grey, and later Nicholas Mynne.
• Susan Drury (born April 4, 1549), who married Robert Baspole.
• Winifred Drury (born August 27, 1552), who married Edmund Markhant.
• Bridget Drury, who married Richard Zouche.
• Dorothy Drury, who married Edward Barnes on August 26, 1577.
• Audrey or Etheldred Drury, who married George Parker on December 28, 1587.

Sir William's Career and Public Service

William Drury went to school at Groton and then studied at Caius College, Cambridge University. He likely also studied law at Lincoln's Inn. When his father passed away in 1557, and his grandfather in 1558, William inherited a lot of land in Suffolk.

One of his most important properties was Hawstead Place. In 1578, he had the honor of hosting Queen Elizabeth I there. Around this time, he was also made a knight.

Serving in Parliament

In 1581, Sir William was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Castle Rising in Norfolk. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's government. His election was questioned at first, but Parliament confirmed he could serve. In 1584, he was elected to represent Suffolk in Parliament, and he served until 1586.

Other Important Roles

Sir William also held several other important jobs. From about 1577, he was a Justice of the Peace. This meant he helped keep law and order in his local area. In 1582, he was appointed High Sheriff of Suffolk. The High Sheriff was a very important official who represented the King or Queen in the county.

Later, in 1587, he became an Exchequer receiver for several areas, including London. This role involved collecting money for the government. However, he ended up owing the government a large sum of money and had to leave England.

Military Service and Final Days

By 1588, Sir William Drury was in the Netherlands. He was appointed Governor of Bergen-op-Zoom, a town that was being threatened by the Spanish army. After a more experienced soldier took over as Governor, Sir William was sent to help Henry IV of France with 1000 soldiers.

During this journey, he had a disagreement with another knight, Sir John Borough. This led to a duel, which was a formal fight between two people. Sir William was badly hurt in his arm. Sadly, his injury became infected, and he lost his hand, and then his whole arm. He passed away soon after.

Sir William was buried at Hawstead. His tomb has a marble statue of him wearing armor.

Sir William's Marriage and Children

Sir William Drury married Elizabeth Stafford. She was the daughter of Sir William Stafford and Dorothy Stafford. Together, Sir William and Elizabeth had two sons and four daughters:

• Sir Robert Drury (1575–1615), who married Anne Bacon. They had two daughters, Dorothy and Elizabeth, but they did not have any children who lived to adulthood.
• Charles Drury, who died in a battle at Nieuwpoort in 1600.
• Frances Drury (born June 13, 1576 – died around 1637), who married Sir Nicholas Clifford, and later Sir William Wray.
• Elizabeth Drury (born January 4, 1578), who married William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter. They had children.
• Diana Drury (died 1631), who married Edward Cecil, 1st Viscount Wimbledon in 1618.
• Susanna Drury, who never married and died in 1607.