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William Stafford (courtier) facts for kids

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Sir William Stafford
Born c. 1508
Died 5 May 1556 (aged 47-48)
Geneva, Switzerland
Buried Unknown
Noble family Stafford
Spouse(s)
(m. 1534; d. 1543)

(m. 1545)
Issue Sir Edward Stafford
William Stafford
Sir John Stafford
Elizabeth Stafford
Ursula Stafford
Dorothy Stafford
Father Sir Humphrey Stafford
Mother Margaret Fogge

Sir William Stafford (born around 1508, died 1556) was an important landowner from Essex, England. He is best known as the second husband of Mary Boleyn. Mary was the sister of Anne Boleyn, who became Queen and married King Henry VIII of England. Mary Boleyn also had a relationship with King Henry VIII before her marriage to William Stafford.

Early Life and Family

William Stafford was born into a well-known family. His father was Sir Humphrey Stafford. Even though his family was connected to powerful noble families like the Dukes of Buckingham, William was a second son. This meant he didn't inherit much land or money.

Because of this, William Stafford became a soldier and served King Henry VIII. This was a common path for younger sons of noble families.

A Trip to France and a Secret Marriage

In 1532, William Stafford was part of a large group that traveled with King Henry VIII to France. The King went to meet the French King, Francis I. Henry VIII wanted Francis I to publicly support his plan to end his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Among the travelers was Mary Boleyn. She was the older sister of Henry VIII's new fiancée, Anne Boleyn. Mary came from a very important family, and many expected her to marry someone powerful.

However, in 1534, Mary and William Stafford secretly got married. When Mary became pregnant, their marriage was discovered. King Henry VIII was very angry, and the couple was told to leave the royal court.

Life After the Court

After being banished, William and Mary first lived in Chebsey, a town in Staffordshire. Later, they moved to the Boleyn family home, Rochford Hall, in Essex. They lived a quiet life there.

Mary Boleyn died in 1543. After her death, William Stafford continued his service to the King. He fought in Scotland and was made a knight in 1545. This meant he was given the title "Sir."

Two years later, in 1547, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hastings. This meant he helped make laws for the country.

Second Marriage and Later Life

In 1545, William Stafford married again. His second wife was his cousin, Dorothy Stafford. She was the daughter of Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford.

During the time of Queen Mary I, William Stafford and his family had to leave England. They went to Geneva, a city in Switzerland. Many people who disagreed with Queen Mary's religious beliefs fled England during her reign.

Sir William Stafford died in Geneva on May 5, 1556. He did not live to see his first wife's niece, Elizabeth I, become Queen. Many of his children and stepchildren later became important people in Queen Elizabeth's court.

Children

William Stafford had children from his second marriage to Dorothy Stafford. They had three sons and three daughters:

  • Elizabeth Stafford (born 1546, died 1599)
  • Sir Edward Stafford (born 1552, died 1604), who became a diplomat.
  • Ursula Stafford (born 1553)
  • William Stafford (born 1554, died 1612)
  • Sir John Stafford (born 1556, died 1624)
  • Dorothy Stafford, who likely died when she was very young.
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