William Parr, Marquess of Northampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Marquess of Northampton
|
|
|---|---|
| Earl of Essex Baron Parr of Kendal Baron Hart |
|
Portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, royal collection, Windsor Castle
|
|
| Born | 14 August 1513 Blackfriars, London, England |
| Died | 27 October 1571 (aged 58) Warwick, England |
| Buried | St. Mary's Collegiate Church, Warwick, England |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Anne Bourchier (annulled) Elisabeth Brooke (considered bigamous) Helena Snakenborg |
| Father | Sir Thomas Parr |
| Mother | Maud Green |
William Parr, Marquess of Northampton (born August 14, 1513 – died October 28, 1571) was an important English nobleman. He was the only brother of Catherine Parr, who became the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII.
William Parr was known as a "sincere, plain, direct man." He loved music and poetry, and he enjoyed military activities. He was a favorite of King Henry VIII and his son, King Edward VI. Under Edward VI, William Parr became a leader of the Protestant group in England.
Later, he supported Lady Jane Grey to become queen after Edward VI died. This was because Lady Jane Grey was Protestant, like Edward. However, Edward's half-sister, the Catholic Queen Mary I, took the throne instead. Because of his support for Lady Jane Grey, William Parr lost his titles and was sentenced to death. Luckily, he was later released. When Queen Elizabeth I, who was Protestant, became queen, William Parr got his titles back. He was married three times but did not have any children.
Contents
Who Was William Parr's Family?
William Parr was the only son of Sir Thomas Parr (who died in 1517) from Kendal, England. His mother was Maud Green (who died in 1531). Maud Green was the daughter of Sir Thomas Green.
William also had a younger sister named Anne Parr (1515–1552). Anne Parr later married William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
What Was William Parr's Career Like?
William Parr's father passed away in 1517 when William was only four years old. This meant he became a "ward" of King Henry VIII. A ward was someone under the King's protection and care. His mother had to pay a lot of money to the King to arrange his marriage.
Early Roles and Titles
In 1537, William Parr helped to stop a rebellion in the North of England. This made Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, notice him. The Duke helped William get a job as a courtier in the King's private rooms.
After serving as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire, William Parr was given the title of Baron Parr in 1539. On April 23, 1543, he became a Knight of the Garter, which is a very important honor.
On December 23, 1543, his sister Catherine married King Henry VIII. Soon after, William was made Earl of Essex. This title had belonged to his first wife's father, who had died without a son. In the same year, he also became Baron Hart.
Serving King Edward VI
William Parr was very close to King Edward VI, who called him his "beloved uncle." William was one of the most important people at Edward's court. He led the Protestant group, especially when John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was in charge of the government.
From 1549 to 1553, William Parr served as Lord Lieutenant for many counties in England. This meant he was the King's main representative in those areas. He also served as Lord Great Chamberlain from 1550 to 1553. In this role, he welcomed Mary of Guise, the Regent of Scotland, to Hampton Court Palace on behalf of the King.
Challenges and Restoration
After King Edward VI died, William Parr and his wife tried to help Lady Jane Grey become queen. Edward had wanted Lady Jane Grey, who was Protestant, to rule instead of his half-sister, the Catholic Queen Mary. However, their plan did not work.
When Mary I became queen in 1553, William Parr was found guilty of treason. He lost his titles and was sentenced to death on August 18, 1553. But he was released a few months later.
When the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1559, William Parr's titles were given back to him. He became a Knight of the Garter again on April 24, 1559.
William Parr's Marriages
William Parr was married three times, but he never had any children.
- First, on February 9, 1527, he married Anne Bourchier, 7th Baroness Bourchier. She was the only child of Henry Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Essex. In 1542, Anne left him. Their marriage was ended by an Act of Parliament on April 17, 1543. William Parr also gained control of his ex-wife's lands.
- Second, in 1548, he married Elisabeth Brooke. She was the daughter of George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham. Their marriage was declared valid in 1548, then invalid in 1553, and then valid again in 1558.
_(14674778559).jpg)
- Third, in May 1571, just five months before he died, he married Helena Snakenborg. She was the First Lady of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I. Helena had come to England from Sweden in 1565. After William Parr died, she married Sir Thomas Gorges in 1580 and had children with him. She is buried with Sir Thomas Gorges in Salisbury Cathedral.
When Did William Parr Die?
William Parr died on October 28, 1571, at Warwick Priory. Since he had no children, his title of Marquess of Northampton ended when he died.
He was buried in the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick. Queen Elizabeth I paid for his funeral and burial. His tombstone says: William Parr, Marquis of Northampton; Died in Warwick 28 October 1571. [Buried] with the ceremonial due [of a] Knight of the Garter to the Order of Queen Elizabeth who bore the expense of the funeral, 2 December 1571.
See also
