Biography of William Compton 1482-1528

On 16th August 1513 Henry VIII [aged 22] fought at Thérouanne [Map] during the Battle of the Spurs.

Henry's army included George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 45] (commanded), Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 36], Thomas Brooke 8th Baron Cobham [aged 43], Henry Bourchier 2nd Earl Essex 3rd Count of Eu, John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 42] and Anthony Wingfield [aged 26]. John "Tilbury Jack" Arundell [aged 18], William Compton [aged 31], John Hussey 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford [aged 48] and William Hussey [aged 41] was knighted by King Henry VII of England and Ireland. Thomas West 8th Baron De La Warr 5th Baron West [aged 56] and Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor [aged 46] was created Knight Banneret.

Louis I d'Orléans Duc de Longueville 1480-1516 was captured.

Arthur Hopton [aged 24] was knighted for his bravery.

On 25th September 1513 John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 42], William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton [aged 23], and William Compton [aged 31] were knighted by Henry VIII [aged 22] at Tournai [Map] following the Battle of the Spurs.

In May 1522 Henry VIII [aged 30] met with Charles V Holy Roman Emperor [aged 22] at Dover, Kent [Map]. William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy [aged 44], William Compton [aged 40], John Marney 2nd Baron Marney [aged 38], William Scott [aged 63] and John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 51] were present. Henry VIII Meeting with Charles V Holy Roman Emperor.

Grafton's Chronicle [1507-1573]. May 1528. In the very end of May began in the City of London the sicknesse called the sweating sickness, and afterward went through all the realm almost, of the which many died within five or six hours. By reason of this sickness the terme was adjourned and the circuits of Assize also. The King was sore troubled with this plague, for diverse died in the court, of whome one was Sir Francis Poyntz [aged 43], which was Ambassador in Spain, and other, so that the king for a space removed almost euery day, till at the last he came to Tyttenhangar [Map] a place of the Abbot of saint Albones, and there he with a few determined to bide the chance that God would send him, which place was so purged daily with fires, and other preservatives, that neither he nor the Queen nor none of their company was infected of that disease, such was the pleasure of God. In this great plague died Sir William Compton [aged 46] knight, and William Carey [aged 28] Esquire, which were of the kings privy chamber, and whom the king highly favoured and many other worshipfull men and women in England.

By reason of this plague the watches which were wont to be kept yearly in London on Saint John's eve [23rd June] at Midsummer and Saint Peter's eve [28th June], whereby the king and his counsel commanded to be left for that year, wherefore the Armourers made great suit to the king and declared their great hinderance which was not so much considered as the mischief that might have ensued if that so great a number should have assembled together in the hot time, and the plague of sweating reigning. Now let us leave England all this summer season troubled and vexed with this sweating sicknesse, and let us return to the affaires of Italy.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. June 1528. In the very end of May began in the City of London the sickness called the sweating-sickness, and afterward went all the realm almost of the which many died within five or six hours. By reason of this sickness the term was adjourned and the circuits of Assize also. The king was sore troubled with this plague, for divers died in the court, of who one was Sir Francis Poyntz [aged 43] which was Ambassador in Spain, and other, so that the King for a space removed almost every day, till at the last be came to Tyttenhanger [Map] a place of the abbot of saint Albans, and there he with a few determined to bide the chance that God would send him, which place was so purged daily with fires and other preservatives, that neither he nor the queen nor none of their company was infected of the disease, such was the pleasure of God. In this great plague dyed Sir William Compton [aged 46] knight and William Carey [aged 28] esquire which were of the Kings privy chamber, and whom the King highly favoured and many other worshipful men and women in England.

By reason of this plague the watches which were wont to be kept yearly in London on Saint John's eve at Midsummer and Saint Peters eve were by the King and his counsel commanded to be left for that year, wherefore the Armourers made great suit to the King and declared their great hinderance, which was not so much considered as the mischief that might have ensued if that so great a number should have assembled together in that whole time and the plague of sweating reigning. Now let us leave England all this summer season troubled and vexed with this sweating sickness, and let us return to the affairs of Italy.

Annales of England by John Stow. 17th June 1528. The 17 day of June, the terme was adjourned to Michael because of the sweating sicknesse that then reigned in the city of London, and there was no such watch at Midsummer, as before time bad bene accustomed. Of this sickness died many suddenly in the kings court, namely Sir William Compton [aged 46], Sir Francis Poyntz [deceased], and other, who died with little warning. The King for a space removed almost every day till be came to Tittenhanger [Map], a place of the abbot of Saint Albans, anv there be with the queene, and a small company about them, remained till the sickness was past.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 30th June 1528. R. O. St. P. I. 303. 4438. Hennege to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey [aged 55].

The King [aged 37] begs you to be of good comfort, and do as he does. He is sorry that you are so far off, and thinks that if you were at St. Alban's [Map] you might every hour hear the one of the other, and his physicians attend upon you, should anything happen. News is come of the death of Sir William Compton [aged 46]. Suits are made for his offices, and the King wishes to have a bill of them. All are in good health at the Court, and they that sickened on Sunday night are recovered. The King is merry, and pleased with your "mynone house" here. Tuesday.

P.S.-I will not ask for any of those offices for myself, considering the little time I have been in the King's service. The King sent for Mr. Herytage today, to make a new window in your closet, because it is so little.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 30th June 1528. R. O. St. P. I. 304. 4439. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey [aged 55] to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 37].

Is glad the King has escaped the plague. Has just heard of the death of Sir William Compton [aged 46], and advises the King to stay the distribution of his offices for a time. Is sorry to be so far away from the King, but will at any time attend him with one servant and a page to do service in the King's chamber. Hampton Court [Map], 30 June. Signed.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 30th June 1528. 4440. The young lady [aged 27] is still with her father. The King [aged 37] keeps moving about for fear of the plague. Many of his people have died of it in three or four hours. of those you know there are only Poowits [deceased], Carey [deceased] and Cotton [aged 46] dead; but Feuguillem, the marquis [Dorset] [aged 51], my Lord William, Bron (Brown), Careu, Bryan [Tuke], who is now of the Chamber, Nourriz (Norris), Walop, Chesney, Quinston (Kingston), Paget, and those of the Chamber generally, all but one, have been or are attacked. Yesterday some of them were said to be dead. The King shuts himself up quite alone. It is the same with Wolsey [aged 55]. After all, those who are not exposed to the air do not die. Of 40,000 attacked in London, only 2,000 are dead; but if a man only put his hand out of bed during twenty-four hours, it becomes as stiff as a pane of glass.

On 30th June 1528 William Compton [aged 46] died of sweating sickness. His son Peter Compton [aged 5] became a ward of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey [aged 55].. In his will he left Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon [aged 45] a life interest in property in Leicestershire and founded a chantry where prayers would be said daily for her soul.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 1st July 1528. R. O. 4450. Sir William Sandys [aged 58] to Wolsey.

Does not presume to visit the King or Wolsey, as he has had the sweat in his house. Desires to have some of the offices of the late Sir William Compton [deceased]. He was steward to Cicester, Malmesbury, and many other religious places. Desires Wolsey would write letters to them, willing them to give the said stewardships to Sandys. At the Vyne, 1 July.

P.S.—Begs some of the offices for his poor brother, who has much chargeable business. Sends a schedule of the vacant places.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 2nd July 1528. Titus, B. I. 320. B. M. 4452. John Mordaunt [aged 20] To [Wolsey].

Asks him to obtain him the place of under-treasurer, void by the death of Sir William Compton [deceased], about which he spoke to Wolsey at the last vacancy. Last Lent, at Hampton Court, asked him for Sir Harry Wyat's [aged 68] room, but he said he had determined to give it to Tuke, though he answered favorably his request to promote him to some such place. Thanks him for all his kindness. Asks his acceptance of 500 marks for the college at Oxford. Will give £100 to the King, if Wolsey pleases, "for his gracious goodness to be showed to me therein."

Asks for the wardship of one of the sisters of the late Mr. Browghton, for his younger sons, as their lands lie in Bradford, in which Mordaunt dwells. Will give £200 more than any other will give. Cannot pay ready money, owing to his expence in buying the heir of Sir Richard Fitzlewes [aged 73] and in marrying his daughters, but he will give Wolsey a manor or two instead. Would have attended on Wolsey in person, but dares not presume to do so, in consequence of the sickness. When he first heard the premises, was busy in viewing the King's forest of Rockingham, where the King suffers daily great loss. His servant, the bearer, will attend on Wolsey daily to know his pleasure. 2 July.

Asks him to burn this letter.

Hol., pp. 2.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 7th July 1528. R. O. St. P. I. 310. 4476. Dr. Bell To Wolsey.

In consequence of the notice from Cooksey, under-sheriff of Worcestershire, of the state of the shire, left destitute by Compton's [deceased] death, the King desires you will direct a commission to Sir Edward Feres (or Ferrers), of Warwickshire, "for the finishing of this present year," unless you know of any more suitable person. He will make a further arrangement at your next repairing here. He desires you, by virtue of your legatine prerogative, to bestow the vicarage of Thaxted on his chaplain, Mr. Wilson, and the prebend in the college of Tamworth on his chaplain, Dr. Dyngle, vacant by resignation of his chaplain, Mr. Stapulles, for whose preferment he thanks you; and that the small benefice held by Forest, servant to the duke of Richmond, named Covyngton, in Huntingdonshire, be also given to Dyngle. He wishes the high stewardship of Salisbury to be given to his servant, Sir Edward Baynton. He desires the rest of Compton's offices to be stayed; among others, the office of Furnesse, which he intends for Mr. Treasurer (Fitzwilliam) and Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy (More), as joint patentees. He orders me to tell you that himself, the Queen, and all others here are well, and the plague so far ceased that none have had the sweat these three days, except Mr. Butt. He is very desirous for your health, and that you will put aside all fear and phantasies, make as merry as you can, put apart all cares for the time, and commit all to God. Though he commends your virtuous and religious disposition, yet he ofttimes wishes your Grace's heart were as good as his is. He desires to have an answer to my former letter to you, concerning the election at Wilton. Tittenhanger [Map], St. Thomas's Day.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 11th July 1528. R. O. 4501. Sir Edward Guldeford [aged 54] to Wolsey.

On Sunday last, 5 July, Roger Horne, of Kenerton, and John Bell, of Apuldre, came to me at Hallden, and showed me the lewd sayings of Sir John Crake, parish priest of Brensett in Romney Marsh. Sends a bill of it. Has committed the priest to Maidstone gaol until Wolsey's pleasure be known, as it was not meet to trouble him with strangers in the time of this plague. Has been ill of it himself. Would be glad to have one of the late Sir Wm. Compton's [deceased] offices. Hallden, 11 July. Signed.

P. 1. Add. Endd.