William Norreys facts for kids

Sir William Norreys (born around 1441 – died before January 10, 1507) was a well-known soldier from the House of Lancaster. Later, he became an Esquire of the Body for King Edward IV, which meant he was a close attendant to the King.

William was likely born at Yattendon Castle. He was the oldest son of Sir John Norreys and Lady Alice Merbrook. When his father passed away, William inherited the family's properties, including Yattendon Castle. He later inherited Ockwells in 1494 after his stepmother died.

Fighting in the Wars of the Roses

William was a soldier for the House of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses. These wars were a series of battles between two powerful English families, the Lancastrians (who used a red rose as their symbol) and the Yorkists (who used a white rose), both fighting to control the throne.

At just 20 years old, on July 10, 1460, William was made a knight by King Henry VI at the Battle of Northampton. He also fought in the Battle of Towton on March 29, 1461. This was one of the biggest and bloodiest battles of the wars. William survived, even though many Lancastrian soldiers did not. After this battle, he had to make peace with the new king, King Edward IV.

Working for the New King

Like his father, William adapted to the new rulers. By August 1461, he was made a Steward of the royal lands of Cookham and Bray. These lands were right next to his family's estate, Ockwells. In 1474, he also became steward of Foliejon Manor in Winkfield.

William was appointed Sheriff for Oxfordshire and Berkshire in 1468. He held these important jobs again in 1482 and 1486. In 1467, he became a Justice of the Peace for Berkshire, helping to keep law and order. By 1469, Sir William was made an Esquire of the Body to King Edward IV, showing he was trusted by the King.

During a rebellion in 1470, led by Warwick, King Henry VI briefly returned to the throne. William likely fought on King Edward's side, as he kept his position at court. He also took part in the Battle of Barnet on April 14, 1471.

Rebellion and Escape

In 1483, soon after King Richard III became king, William changed his mind about supporting the House of York. In October 1483, he joined his younger brother, John, in a rebellion led by the Duke of Buckingham.

The Duke gathered his forces, while Sir William and others gathered rebels near Newbury. However, the Duke was captured and executed. William had to flee west when a reward was offered for his capture. He was caught in Devon but managed to escape to Brittany. There, he joined the forces of Henry, Earl of Richmond, who was a Lancastrian.

Returning to England and Rewards

William returned to England with the Earl of Richmond. He commanded a group of soldiers at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485. In this battle, King Richard III was killed, and Richmond became King Henry VII. William was greatly rewarded for his loyalty to the new king.

On June 16, 1487, he led the Royal Forces, including his son, Sir Edward Norreys, at the Battle of Stoke Field against Lambert Simnel. Sadly, his son died shortly after this battle.

William continued to serve the new monarchy. He was a Bailiff for Queen Elizabeth in 1488. He was also made a Justice of the Peace for Berkshire again in 1494. In 1502, he gave legal advice to the King. This led to him being appointed as the guardian of the manor of Langley and Steward of several other manors in Oxfordshire. In 1504, he added the stewardships of Newbury and Stratfield Mortimer to his duties. In 1505, he became Steward to the Chancellor of Oxford University.

Family Life

In 1461, William Norreys married Jane de Vere. They had four sons and two daughters:

• Sir Edward Norreys (born around 1464 – died 1487)
• Richard Norreys (born around 1465 – died around 1522)
• William Norreys
• George Norreys
• Margaret Norreys, who married Gilbert Bullock
• Elizabeth Norreys (died January 22, 1518), who married Thomas Rogers and then Thomas Fettiplace

In 1472, William married Isabel Ingoldesthorpe. She was the widow of the 1st Marquess of Montagu. They had one son who died as a baby. Isabel passed away in 1476.

Around 1478, Norreys married Anne Horne. She was the widow of Sir William Harcourt and Sir John Stanley. They had two sons and four daughters:

• Richard Norreys
• Lionel Norreys (born around 1480 – died 1537)
• Katherine Norreys (born around 1481), who married Sir John Langford
• Anne Norreys (born around 1482), who married William Wroughton and then Sir John Baldwin
• Elizabeth Norreys (born around 1484), who married William Fermor
• Jane Norreys (born around 1483), who married John Cheney

Since William Norreys's oldest son, Edward, had died in 1487, Edward's oldest son, John, inherited the family estates when his grandfather, Sir William, died around January 10, 1507.