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Spencer, of Althorp, co. Northampton (pre 1603)

See note on The Heraldry of the Early Spencers

John Spencer, of Hodnell, co. Warwick

stated by Richard Lee, Clarenceaux King of Arms, to be son of Henry Spencer, of Badby, co. Leicester (d. 1476) (by his wife Isabel Lincolne, dau. (and hrss.?) of Henry Lincolne), son of Thomas Spencer, of Defford, co. Worcester, son of Nicholas Spencer, of Defford, co. Worcester (by his wife Joan Pollard, dau. of Richard Pollard), son of John Spencer, of Defford, co. Worcester (by his wife Alice Deverell, dau. (and hrss.?) of Giles Deverell), son of William Spencer, of Defford, co. Worcester. He died in 1330 and his IPM held at Pershore, co. Worcester, shows him holding a messuage, four virgates of land and two acres of meadow in Defford by socage, i.e. rent, from Geoffrey Dabitot. Despite the pedigree drawn up in 1595 by Lee for Sir John Spencer, this William Spencer was not the son by his second wife of John le Despencer, of Martley, co. Worcester, who died in 1275. John's IPM that year (Chancery Inquisitions 3 Edward I No 2) quite clearly shows that as he had died without surviving issue he was succeeded in his estates by his relative Hugh le Despencer, son of his cousin the famous Hugh le Despencer, Justiciar of England. There is no historical evidence other than Lee's pedigree of John le Despencer having a second wife.

born

mar.

..... Warsted, dau. (and hrss.?) of ..... Warsted

children

1. William Spencer, of Radbourne, co. Warwick

2. John Spencer, of Hodnell, co. Warwick, lessee (tenant) of Wormleighton, co. Warwick 1469, and of Althorp, co. Northampton 1486 (will dated 15 Sep 1496; d. 4 Jan 1496/7; proved CPC 25 Jan 1496/7; IPM 5 Nov 1499), mar. Anne Empson, sister of Sir Richard Empson, Speaker of the House of Commons, and dau. of Peter Empson, of Towcester, co. Northampton, and had issue:

1a. Thomas Spencer, of Hodnell, co. Warwick (b. c. 1493)

2a. William Spencer

1a. Jane Spencer (d. 12 Feb 1525), mar. (1) bef. 1496 as his second wife Sir William Cope, of Banbury, co. Oxford, Keeper of Portchester Castle (b. 1450; d. 7 Apr 1513), and (2) William Saunders, of Banbury, co. Oxford, and had issue by her first husband

3. Thomas Spencer, of Badby, co. Leicester, and Everdon, co. Northampton, mar. Margaret Smith, dau. of ..... Smith, of Old, co. Northampton, and had issue:

1a. William Spencer, of Badby, co. Leicester, and Everdon, co. Northampton, mar. Agnes Heritage, dau. of Thomas Heritage, of Burton Dassett, co. Warwick, and had issue:

1b. Thomas Spencer, of Badby, co. Leicester, and Everdon, co. Northampton, granted arms c. 1560 (Sable on a Fess Or between three Bezants as many Lions' Heads erased of the first; Crest: An Antelope's Head erased Or attired Sable collared Gules lined and ringed Gold), mar. his second cousin once removed Dorothy Spencer (d. 1575), 3rd dau. of Sir William Spencer, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, Sheriff of Northamptonshire, by his wife Susan Knightley, dau. of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley, co. Northampton, and had issue:

1c. William Spencer

2c. George Spencer

1c. Dorothy Spencer, mar. (1) her second cousin George Cope, of Copes Ashby, co. Northampton, 2nd son of Sir John Cope, of Copes Ashby, co. Northampton (by his wife Bridget Raleigh, dau. of Edward Raleigh, of Farnborough, co. Warwick), 3rd son of Sir William Cope, of Banbury, co. Oxford, by his second wife Jane Spencer, 1st dau. of John Spencer, of Hodnell, co. Warwick, and hrss. of her mother, Anne Empson, and (2) Gabriel Pulteney, of Misterton, co. Leicester (d. 31 Aug 1599), and had issue by both husbands

2c. Susan Spencer, mar. John Temple, of Stowe, co. Buckingham, and Burton Dassett, co. Warwick (b. c. 1542; d. 9 May 1603), and had issue

3c. Mary Spencer, mar. Richard Wallop, of Bugbrooke, co. Northampton, 3rd son of Sir Christopher Wallop, of Farley Wallop, co. Hampshire, and had issue

4c. Catherine Spencer, mar. Thomas Brown, of London, and had issue

2b. John Spencer, of Tame, co. Oxford, mar. ..... Wilmore, dau, of Richard Wilmore, and had issue

3b. Giles Spencer, of North End in the Parish of Burton Dassett, co. Warwick, mar., and had issue

1b. Juliana Spencer, mar. William Wilmer, of Ryton, co. Warwick (d. after 17 Oct 1551), 1st son and heir of Richard Wilmer, of Ryton, co. Warwick, by his wife Joan Goodyear, dau. of John Goodyear, of Baggington, co. Warwick, and had issue:

1c. Thomas Wilmer, of Starton, co. Northampton, mar. Elizabeth Crudge, dau. of John crudge, of co. Devon, and had issue

2c. William Wilmer, of Little Creaton (d. 10 Apr 1599)

3c. Richard Wilmer, of Folkeshall, mar. Winifred FitzHerbert, and had issue

4c. Roger Wilmer

5c. Peter Wilmer, of Coventry, co. Warwick, mar. (1) Elizabeth Boone, dau. of Richard Boone, and (2) ..... Barker, dau. of Thomas Barker, of Coventry, co. Warwick, and had issue by his first wife

6c. Robert Wilmer, of Sywell, co. Northampton (d. 19 Dec 1612), mar. his first cousin Elizabeth Higgins, dau. of Thomas Higgins, of Berkeswell, co. Warwick, by his wife Agnes Spencer, 3rd dau. of William Spencer, of Everdon, co. Northampton, and had issue

1c. Anne Wilmer, mar. (1) Henry Thornton, of Newnham, co. Northampton, and (2) Richard Chaplin, and had issue by her first husband:

1d. Thomas Thornton, of Newenham, co. Northampton, and Lincoln's Inn, barrister-at-law, mar. Elizabeth Acres (d. 27 Aug1604), 2nd dau. and cohrss. of Henry Acres, of Chilvers Coton, co. Warwick, and had issue

2d. William Thornton, mar., and had issue

1d. Anne Thornton, mar. (1) 16 Jun 1573 William Dickens, of Great Creaton, co. Northampton (d. c. 1583), and (2) Edward Twigden, and had issue by her first husband:

1e. Anne Dickens (bur. Apr 1637), mar. John Twigden, of Little Creaton, co. Northampton (d. c. 1616), and had issue:

1f. Amphyllis Twigden (b. 1602; bur. 12 Jan 1655 at Tring, co. Hertford), mar. 1633 Rev Lawrence Washington, Rector of Purleigh, co. Essex, 1632-1643 (b. c. 1602; bur. 21 Jan 1653 at Maldon, co. Essex), 5th son of Lawrence Washington, of Sulgrave Manor, co. Northampton, by his wife Margaret Butler, dau. of William Butler, of Tyes Hall, Cuckfield, co. Sussex, and left issue (their great-great-grandson was General George Washington, 1st President of the United States of America)

2d. Lettice Thornton

3d. Dorothy Thornton

2c. Audrey Wilmer, mar. ..... Berry

3c. Joan Wilmer, mar. ..... Hucksale

4c. Mary Wilmer, mar. (1) Thomas Crowe, and (2) Baldwin Hill

5c. Dorothy Wilmer, mar. John Lavender

6c. Elizabeth Wilmer, mar. Henry Rogers

7c. Margery Wilmer, mar. ..... Wilmer, of Sowe, co. Warwick

2b. Margery Spencer, mar. Thomas Judkin, of Weedon, co. Northampton, son and heir of Robert Judkin, of Bricksworth, co. Northampton, by his wife ann Brothers, dau. and hrss. of ..... Brothers, of Weedon, co. Northampton, and had issue

3b. Agnes Spencer, mar. Thomas Higgins, of Berkeswell, co. Warwick, and had issue

died

William Spencer, of Radbourne, co. Warwick

born

c. 1444

mar.

Elizabeth Empson (b. c. 1448), sister of Sir Richard Empson, Speaker of the House of Commons, and dau. of Peter Empson, of Towcester, co. Northampton

children

1. Sir John Spencer, of Hodnell and Wormleighton. co. Warwick

2. Thomas Spencer, mentioned in his uncle's will 1496, granted arms with his brother John 1504 (Azure a fess Ermine between six Seamews' Heads erased Argent; Crest: A Moor-hen proper)

1. Jane Spencer

died

Sir John Spencer, of Hodnell and Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton

born

c. 1470

mar.

Isabel Graunt (b. c. 1474; bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton), dau. (and hrss.?) of Walter Graunt, of Snitterfield, co. Warwick, by his wife ..... Rudding, dau. and hrss. of Humphrey Rudding, of Droitwich, co. Worcester

children

1. Sir William Spencer, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick

2. Anthony Spencer (dvp. and sp.)

1. Jane Spencer, mar. Richard Knightley, of Upton, co. Oxford (d. 30 Mar 1537), 1st son and heir of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley, co. Northampton, by his wife Joan Skinnerton, dau. and hrss. of Henry Skinnerton, of Aderton, and had issue

2. Isabel Spencer, mar. as his third wife Sir Nicholas Strelley, of Strelley, co. Nottingham, and had issue

3. Dorothy Spencer, mar. as his first wife Sir Richard Catesby, of Legers Ashby, co. Northampton (d. 1553), and had issue

died

14 Apr 1522 (bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton)

note

a prosperous grazier who gained his wealth by enclosing lands and converting arable land into pasture; he was granted arms with his brother Thomas 1504 (Azure a fess Ermine between six Sea-mews' Heads erased Argent; Crest: A Moor-hen proper); bought Wormleighton, co. Warwick, 1506, and Althorp, co. Northampton, 1508; High Sheriff of Northamptonshire 1511; knighted in or after 1519

Sir William Spencer, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton

born

c. 1496

mar.

Susan Knightley (d. after 1539; bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton), 2nd dau. of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley, co. Northampton, by his wife Joan Skinnerton, dau. and hrss. of Henry Skinnerton, of Alderton, co. Northampton

children

1. Sir John Spencer, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton

1. Isabel Spencer (d. 1578), mar. Sir John Cotton, of Lanwade, co. Cambridge (d. 1593), and had issue

2. Jane Spencer (d. 1593), mar. (1) Sir Richard Brydges, of Shefford, co. Bedford, and (2) as his third wife Simon Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, co. Oxford, and had issue by both husbands

3. Dorothy Spencer (d. 1575), mar. her second cousin once removed Thomas Spencer, of Badby and Everdon, co. Northampton, and had issue

4. Anne Spencer (dsp), mar. as his first wife Sir John Goodwin, of Winchendon, co. Buckingham (d. 1597)

5. Mary Spencer, mar. Thomas Bowles, of Wallington, co. Hertford (d. 1586)

died

22 Jun 1532 (bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton)

note

Sheriff of Northamptonshire

Sir John Spencer MP, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton

born

1524

mar.

bef. Oct 1545 Katherine Kitson (bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton), first cousin of Margaret Kitson, wife of John Washington, of Warton, co. Lancaster, the direct ancestor of Gen George Washington, 1st President of the United States of America, and 1st dau. of Sir Thomas Kitson, of Hengrave, co. Suffolk, Sheriff of London 1533, by his wife Margaret Donnington, later Countess of Bath, only child and hrss. of John Donnington, of Stoke Newington, co. Middlesex, and Donnington, co. York

children

1. Sir John Spencer MP, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton

2. Thomas Spencer, of Claverdon, co. Warwick, party to a deed with his father 1576 to which he affixed his seal bearing the arms granted in 1504, mar. Mary Cheeke, 1st dau. of Sir Henry Cheeke by his wife Frances Ratcliffe, sister of Robert [Ratcliffe], 1st Earl of Sussex, and had issue:

1a. Alice Spencer, mar. Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote, co. Warwick, and had issue

3. Sir William Spencer MP, of Yarnton, co. Oxford, Auditor of the Exchequer 1577-1609, Member of Parliament for Ripon 1584 and 1586, Sheriff of Oxfordshire 1591-92, knighted 1592 (c. 1552; d. 18 Dec 1609; bur. with his wife in St Bartholomew's Church, Yarnton, co. Oxford), mar. bef. 1579 Margaret Bowyer (d. 1608; bur. in St Bartholomew's Church, Yarnton, co. Oxford), 2nd dau. of Francis Bowyer, Sheriff of London, by his wife Elizabeth Tilesworth, dau. of William Tilesworth, of London, and had issue:

1a. Sir Thomas Spencer, 1st Bt., of Yarnton, co. Oxford

2a. George Spencer

1a. Elizabeth Spencer, mar. Sir Thomas Russell, of Strensham, co. Worcester (d. 1632), and had issue

2a. Catherine Spencer (d. 7 Dec 1612), mar. 1 Jun 1601 as his first wife Henry [Montagu], 1st Earl of Manchester, and had issue

3a. Mary Spencer, mar. as his second wife Sir Maximilian Dalison, of Halling, co. Kent, and had issue

4a. Alice Spencer, mar. Sir Thomas Colville, of Newton Colville, co. Huntingdon (b. 1585; dsp. 17 Oct 1611)

5a. Margaret Spencer, mar. Sir John Woodward, of Evesham

4. Sir Richard Spencer MP, of Offley, co. Hertford, Member of Parliament for East Looe 1584, Bere Alston 1589 and Brackley 1604, Sheriff of Hertfordshire 1597-98, knighted 1603, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King James I (b. 1553; d. 7 Mar 1624), mar. 1588 Helen Brocket, 4th dau. and cohrss. of Sir John Brocket MP, of Brocket Hall, co. Hertford, by his first wife Helen Lytton, 2nd dau. and cohrss. of Sir Robert Lytton, of Knebworth, co. Hertford, and had issue:

1a. Sir John Spencer, 1st Bt., of Offley, co. Hertford

2a. Sir Brocket Spencer, 1st Bt., of Offley, co. Hertford

1a. Elizabeth Spencer (d. betw. 10 Oct 1663 and 19 Feb 1678), mar. Sir William Colepeper, 1st Bt., of Prestonhall in Aylesford, co. Kent, and had issue

2a. Alice Spencer, mar. Sir John Jennings, of Sandridge, co. Hertford (d. 1642), and had issue

5. Edward Spencer (dvp and sp.)

1. Margaret Spencer, mar. (1) Giles Alington, of Horseheath, co. Cambridge (d. 1573), 1st son of Robert Alington (by his wife Margaret Coningsby, dau. of William Coningsby), 1st son and heir ap. of Sir Giles Alington, of Horseheath, co. Cambridge, by his wife Ursula Drury, 4th dau. of Sir Robert Drury MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, and (2) Edward Eldrington, and had issue by her first husband

2. Elizabeth Spencer (bur. 2 Mar 1617/8), mar. (1) 29 Dec 1574 George [Carey], 2nd Baron Hunsdon, and (2) aft. Mar 1612 as his second wife Ralph [Eure], 3rd Baron Eure, and had issue by her first husband

3. Katharine Spencer (d. Jan 1639; bur. at Stoneleigh, co. Warwick), mar. about 1570 Sir Thomas Leigh, 1st Bt., of Stoneleigh, co. Warwick, and had issue

4. Mary Spencer (dvp. and sps.), mar. as his first wife Sir Edward Aston, of Tixall, co. Stafford, Sheriff of Staffordshire (d. 1 Feb 1597), and had issue

5. Anne Spencer (d. 22 Sep 1618) mar. (1) shortly bef. 15 Sep 1575 as his second wife William [Stanley], 3rd Baron Monteagle, (2) as his second wife Henry [Compton], 1st Baron Compton, and (3) 4 Dec 1592 as his second wife Robert [Sackville], 2nd Earl of Dorset, and had issue by her second husband

6. Alice Spencer (d. 26 Mar 1637; bur. at Harefield, co. Middlesex), mar. (1) bef. 1580 Ferdinando [Stanley], 5th Earl of Derby, and (2) 20 Oct 1600 as his third wife Thomas [Egerton], 1st Viscount Brackley, and had issue by her first husband

died

8 Nov 1586 (bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton)

note

Sheriff of Northamptonshire 1551-52, 1558-59, 1571-72 and 1583-84; knighted at Queen Mary's Coronation 1554; Justice of the Peace for Northamptonshire 1554; Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire 1554 and 1558; Deputy Lieutenant for Northamptonshire 1560 and 1586; party to a deed with his son Thomas 1576 to which he affixed his seal bearing the arms granted in 1504

Sir John Spencer MP, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton

born

c 1549

mar.

1566 Mary Catlin (mar. (2) Sir Robert Fowler; bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton), only dau. and hrss. of Sir Robert Catlin, of Berne, co. Dorset, Chief Justice of the King's Bench 1559-74, by his wife Ann Burgoyne, widow of Thomas Burgoyne, of St Bartholomew's, London, and dau. of John Bowles, of Wallington, co. Hertford

only child

1. Sir Robert Spencer, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton, later 1st Baron Spencer

died

9 Jan 1599 (bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton)

note

admitted to the Middle Temple 1564; Member of Parliament for Northampton 1572; Justice of the Peace for Bedfordshire c. 1577 and for Northamptonshire c. 1584; Sheriff of Northamptonshire 1578-79 and 1590-91; knighted 1588; a Commissioner of Musters 1593-97; Steward of Higham Ferrers, Daventry, Long Buckby and Passenham 1592-99; assumed the arms of the medieval Despencer family in lieu of paternal arms c. 1595

Sir Robert Spencer, of Wormleighton, co. Warwick, and Althorp, co. Northampton, later 1st Baron Spencer

created

21 Jul 1603 Baron Spencer, of Wormleighton in the County of Warwick

Last updated 16 Apr 2012

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