William Drury was the son of Sir Robert Drury of Hawstead and Anne Calthorpe. William first married Joan St Maur, but she died in childbirth. He married second Elizabeth Sothill (between 1518 and 1521). Together they had 4 sons and 9 daughters.
He served King Henry VIII in quelling rebellions and defending the Suffolk coast, and Scottish border at different times. He was knighted during the reign of Henry's son, Edward, in 1553. After Edward died, William was expected to back Lady Jane Grey as Queen, but Sir William rallied to the rightful heir, Mary (Henry's eldest daughter). Although a Protestant, Sir William was the second person sent for by Princess Mary when she received word of her brother Edward's death.
William became a member of the Queen's Privy council, and was a key player in her bid to restore Catholicism to England.
Sir William died in January 1558. (Queen Mary died later that same year, and the monarchy passed to her sister Elizabeth I). William's wife Elizabeth died in 1575.
William is buried at All Saint's Church Hawstead, Suffolk.
Children of William and Elizabeth:
Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Henry, Anne, Dorothy, Frances, and Bridget.
Tomb inscription:
Wilst he lived here was loved of every wight
Such temperance he did retain, such courtesy,
Such noble mind with justice joined, such liberality,
As fame itself shall sound for me the glory of his name.
He served King Henry VIII in quelling rebellions and defending the Suffolk coast, and Scottish border at different times. He was knighted during the reign of Henry's son, Edward, in 1553. After Edward died, William was expected to back Lady Jane Grey as Queen, but Sir William rallied to the rightful heir, Mary (Henry's eldest daughter). Although a Protestant, Sir William was the second person sent for by Princess Mary when she received word of her brother Edward's death.
William became a member of the Queen's Privy council, and was a key player in her bid to restore Catholicism to England.
Sir William died in January 1558. (Queen Mary died later that same year, and the monarchy passed to her sister Elizabeth I). William's wife Elizabeth died in 1575.
William is buried at All Saint's Church Hawstead, Suffolk.
Children of William and Elizabeth:
Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Henry, Anne, Dorothy, Frances, and Bridget.
Tomb inscription:
Wilst he lived here was loved of every wight
Such temperance he did retain, such courtesy,
Such noble mind with justice joined, such liberality,
As fame itself shall sound for me the glory of his name.
William Drury was the son of Sir Robert Drury of Hawstead and Anne Calthorpe. William first married Joan St Maur, but she died in childbirth. He married second Elizabeth Sothill (between 1518 and 1521). Together they had 4 sons and 9 daughters.
He served King Henry VIII in quelling rebellions and defending the Suffolk coast, and Scottish border at different times. He was knighted during the reign of Henry's son, Edward, in 1553. After Edward died, William was expected to back Lady Jane Grey as Queen, but Sir William rallied to the rightful heir, Mary (Henry's eldest daughter). Although a Protestant, Sir William was the second person sent for by Princess Mary when she received word of her brother Edward's death.
William became a member of the Queen's Privy council, and was a key player in her bid to restore Catholicism to England.
Sir William died in January 1558. (Queen Mary died later that same year, and the monarchy passed to her sister Elizabeth I). William's wife Elizabeth died in 1575.
William is buried at All Saint's Church Hawstead, Suffolk.
Children of William and Elizabeth:
Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Henry, Anne, Dorothy, Frances, and Bridget.
Tomb inscription:
Wilst he lived here was loved of every wight
Such temperance he did retain, such courtesy,
Such noble mind with justice joined, such liberality,
As fame itself shall sound for me the glory of his name.
He served King Henry VIII in quelling rebellions and defending the Suffolk coast, and Scottish border at different times. He was knighted during the reign of Henry's son, Edward, in 1553. After Edward died, William was expected to back Lady Jane Grey as Queen, but Sir William rallied to the rightful heir, Mary (Henry's eldest daughter). Although a Protestant, Sir William was the second person sent for by Princess Mary when she received word of her brother Edward's death.
William became a member of the Queen's Privy council, and was a key player in her bid to restore Catholicism to England.
Sir William died in January 1558. (Queen Mary died later that same year, and the monarchy passed to her sister Elizabeth I). William's wife Elizabeth died in 1575.
William is buried at All Saint's Church Hawstead, Suffolk.
Children of William and Elizabeth:
Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Henry, Anne, Dorothy, Frances, and Bridget.
Tomb inscription:
Wilst he lived here was loved of every wight
Such temperance he did retain, such courtesy,
Such noble mind with justice joined, such liberality,
As fame itself shall sound for me the glory of his name.
