William FITZHERBERT of Swynnerton (MP)

Died: ABT 1558

Father: Anthony FITZHERBERT of Norbury (Sir)

Mother: Maud COTTON

Married: Elizabeth SWYNNERTON (b. 1530 - d. 1616) (dau. of Humphrey Swinnerton of Swinnerton and Cassandra Giffard) (m.2 Francis Gatacre)

Children:

1. Thomas FITZHERBERT of Swynnerton and Bledlowe

2. Anthony FITZHERBERT

4. 


The details in this biography come from the History of Parliament, a biographical dictionary of Members of the House of Commons.

Born ABT 1520, fourth surv. son of Sir Anthony Fitzherbert of Norbury, and brother of ThomasEduc. I. Temple. Married Elizabeth, dau. and coh. of Humphrey Swynnerton of Swynnerton and Hilton, Staffs. Queen’s serjeant, I. Temple 1553-5, bencher 1556.

When his father died, leaving him three gilt goblets, a gilt standing cup and half a dozen silver spoons, William Fitzherbert was on the threshold of a legal career which but for his early death might also have ended on the judicial bench. Among those who employed his services was William, Lord Paget, who as the patron of Lichfield was probably responsible for his election there to the second Edwardian Parliament, although he could have been helped both by his father-in-law and by his own standing in the city, where in 1545 he was assessed towards the subsidy at 16s. on property.

Fitzherbert died between 1 Dec 1558, when he was appointed to hold an inquisition post mortem, and 4 Aug 1559, when his will was proved. He had been ‘in indifferent good health’ when he made the will, which he left undated. He asked to be buried near where he died, without solemnities other than those befitting his station, and to have masses said for his soul. Among his bequests was that of his law books to whichever of his sons Thomas and Anthony first began to study law, while his brothers Sir Thomas and John Fitzherbert were each to have ten books of their own choosing. He named as executors his wife, father-in-law, and his three elder brothers. The widow of one of his descendants married the Prince Regent in 1785.

According to the inscription formerly at Shareshill, Humphrey Swynnerton died on 25 Aug 1562. No inquisition has been found, although a writ was issued on 17 Oct 1562, but the will was proved on 9 Feb 1563 and the deed allotting Swynnerton to Elizabeth Gatacre (the widow of William Fitzherbert) and Hilton to Margaret, wife of Henry Vernon was drawn up on 8 May 1564.

Souces:

Hawkyard, A. D.K.:  https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/fitzherbert-william-1520-59

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