Biography of William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke 1493-1563

Around 1488 [his father] Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 20] and [his mother] Elizabeth Greystoke 6th Baroness Greystoke Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland. They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Around 1493 William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke was born to Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 25] and Elizabeth Greystoke 6th Baroness Greystoke Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 21].

In or before 1510 [his brother-in-law] Henry Scrope 7th Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 27] and [his sister] Mabel Dacre Baroness Scrope Bolton [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Baroness Scrope of Bolton. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 14th August 1516 [his mother] Elizabeth Greystoke 6th Baroness Greystoke Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 45] died. Her son William [aged 23] succeeded 7th Baron Greystoke.

Before 1521 William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 27] and Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland. She the daughter of George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 52] and Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were half third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Around 1521 [his daughter] Anne Dacre Countess Cumberland was born to William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 28] and [his wife] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 14]. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married after 1547 her third cousin once removed Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland, son of Henry Clifford 1st Earl of Cumberland and Margaret Percy Baroness Clifford, and had issue.

On 30th November 1523 [his brother-in-law] Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 23] and [his sister] Mary Dacre [aged 21] were married. He the son of [his father-in-law] George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 55] and Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were half third cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In January 1524 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland [aged 22] and [his sister-in-law] Mary Talbot Countess Northumberland were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 56] and Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. He the son of Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland [aged 45] and Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland [aged 47]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 14th April 1524 William Conyers 1st Baron Conyers [aged 55] died at Hornby Castle [Map]. His son Christopher [aged 33] succeeded 2nd Baron Conyers. [his sister] Anne Dacre Baroness Conyers [aged 23] by marriage Baroness Conyers.

On 24th October 1525 [his father] Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 57] died in an accident. His son William [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland. He inherited about 280 km² of land in Cumberland, 120 km² in Yorkshire and 80 km² in Northumberland.

Around 1527 [his son] Thomas Dacre 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland 8th Baron Greystoke was born to William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 34] and [his wife] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 20]. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. He married (1) after 1527 his third cousin once removed Elizabeth Neville, daughter of Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland and Katherine Stafford Countess of Westmoreland (2) before 1557 Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk and had issue.

After 1527 [his son] Thomas Dacre 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland 8th Baron Greystoke and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Neville were married. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 28] and Katherine Stafford Countess of Westmoreland [aged 28]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

On 19th May 1527 Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland [aged 49] died. His son Henry [aged 25] succeeded 6th Earl of Northumberland, 9th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 17th Baron Percy of Topcliffe, 8th Baron Poynings. [his sister-in-law] Mary Talbot Countess Northumberland by marriage Countess of Northumberland.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 26th June 1528. Titus, B. I. 54. B. M. 4419. Lord Dacres [aged 35].

Sign manual to the lord Dacres of the North, commanding him not to molest those who served the earl of Cumberland [aged 35], late warden of the West Marches, but let them enjoy their farms till the quinzaine of St. Michael. Hertford castle, 26 June.

P. 1.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 7th October 1528. R.O. St.P. IV.515. 4828. Magnus To Wolsey.

My lord of Richmond [aged 9] is in good health and merry. Since the beginning of this sweat he has lain in a private place with few attendants, but has now come hither. He lately paid a visit for one night to my lord of Northumberland, who pressed him to come and see his house at Topcliff, and conducted himself more like a man than a child of his tender age. Cannot be at London this term, as lady Salisbury expects; but my Lord's receiver and auditor in the South are instructed to search for evidences touching Canford. The lord Dacre [aged 35] called here on his way South to see the King. There is great business between him and the earl of Cumberland [aged 35] about the rule of the town and castle of Carlisle, which Magnus thinks should be annexed to the wardenry.

Sir Will. Parre, who is or will be with Wolsey this term, will show him what he has done in reducing my lord of Richmond's household to better order and less charges. Sheriffhutton, 7 Oct.

Hol. Add. Endd.

Around 1533 [his daughter] Dorothy Dacre was born to William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 40] and [his wife] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 26]. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married 29th November 1544 Thomas Windsor, son of William Windsor 2nd Baron Windsor and Margaret Sambourne Baroness Windsor.

Around 1533 [his daughter] Eleanor Dacre was born to William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 40] and [his wife] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 26]. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married her fourth cousin once removed Henry Jerningham 1st Baronet and had issue.

In 1533 [his sister] Mabel Dacre Baroness Scrope Bolton [aged 43] died.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 9th July 1534. Memorandum: the Lord Dakers [aged 41],^c of the North Countrie, was pechid of highe treason, and sett in prison in the Tower of London [Map], and all his goods and landes were seised into the Kinges handes, which was great riches, and the 9th of Julye, 1534, he was arreigned at Westminstre, the Duke of Northfolke [aged 61] sittinge then as high judge,^d and there he discharged himselfe of all that his accusers^e coulde alledge againste him, and so there he was quitt by a jurie of Lordes, and by the lawe allso.

Note c. William Dacre, third Lord Dacre, of the North.

Note d. Being Lord High Steward.

Note e. Sir Ralph Fenwick [aged 64] and Nicholas Musgrave [aged 37], who brought in their false Scotes for witnesses. — Stow. [Note. Nicholas Musgrave proably a mistake for William Musgrave.]

On 20th January 1538 [his daughter] Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague was born to William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 45] and [his wife] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 31] at Naworth Castle [Map]. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married before 10th December 1553 her third cousin Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu and had issue.

Life of Lady Magdalen Viscountess Montagu. The most Ho^ble and Vertuous Lady [his daughter] Magdalen Viscountesse Montague, was borne in England, of most Noble & Catholike parents, at Naward Castell [Map], the Mansion-house of her Father, scituat in the County of Cumberland, not far from the borders of Scotland, the yeare of Christ 1538 the 20 of January. Her Father was William Lord Dacre, Baron of Ghisland [aged 45], a man, besides the most ancient Nobility of his family, of such power and estate, as that he possessed seauen Baronyes (which scarce any Noble man of England ever had) and was of eminent authority in the North parts of England, and both himselfe and his ancestors of very famous esteeme in England, in regard of their notable prowesse in matters of warre, for the safety and honour of their Country.

On 26th July 1538 [his father-in-law] George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 70] died at Wingfield, Suffolk. He was buried at Sheffield Cathedral [Map]. His son [his brother-in-law] Francis [aged 38] succeeded 5th Earl of Shrewsbury, 5th Earl Waterford, 10th Baron Furnivall, 14th Baron Strange Blackmere, 11th Baron Talbot.

On 18th October 1539 Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye [aged 55] died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baron Braye. As a minor he was placed under the wardship of [his brother-in-law] Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 39]. He would later marry Talbot's daughter Anne Talbot Baroness Braye and Wharton [aged 15].

Before 1541 [his brother-in-law] Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 40] and Grace Shakerley Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford [aged 40] were married. She by marriage Countess of Shrewsbury Countess Waterford. He the son of [his father-in-law] George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury and Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford.

In or before 1544 Peter Compton [aged 20] and [his sister-in-law] Anne Talbot Countess Pembroke [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury and Elizabeth Walden [aged 52].

On 29th November 1544 [his son-in-law] Thomas Windsor [aged 21] and [his daughter] Dorothy Dacre [aged 11] were married.

After 1547 [his son-in-law] Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland [aged 30] and [his daughter] Anne Dacre Countess Cumberland [aged 26] were married. She by marriage Countess of Cumberland. He the son of Henry Clifford 1st Earl of Cumberland and Margaret Percy Baroness Clifford. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 21st April 1548 [his sister] Anne Dacre Baroness Conyers [aged 47] died.

After 20th February 1552 William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 51] and [his sister-in-law] Anne Talbot Countess Pembroke [aged 28] were married. She by marriage Countess Pembroke. The difference in their ages was 22 years. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury and Elizabeth Walden [aged 61].

After 6th May 1552 [his former wife] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [deceased] died.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 10th January 1553. The x day of January was the monyth myn of ser [his former son-in-law] (Thomas) Wynsor knyght, in the contey of (Buckingham?), with a harold and ys standard, ys penon of armes and ys cot armur, ys elmet, target, and sword, mantylles, and the crest a whyt hartes ede, hornes gold; and he was elldest sune unto the lord Wynsor [aged 54] and here, and mared my lord Dakurs of the North [aged 60] doythur [aged 20]-the vj king Edward vj.

Note. Month's mind of sir Thomas Windsor. Son and heir apparent of William second lord Windsor. He was made a knight of the Bath at the coronation of Edward VI.; and married Dorothy, daughter of William lord Dacre, of Gillesland; but, as he had no issue male, the peerage went to a younger brother. Collins in his Peerage gives some extracts from his will, dated Nov. 8, 1552, and proved by his widow Jan. 16 following. His funeral probably took place at Bradenham in Buckinghamshire.

Before 10th December 1553 [his son-in-law] Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu [aged 25] and [his daughter] Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague [aged 15] were married. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 1557 [his son] Thomas Dacre 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland 8th Baron Greystoke [aged 29] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland and Baroness Greystoke.

In 1561 [his daughter] Dorothy Dacre [aged 28] died.

On 18th November 1563 William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke [aged 70] died. His son Thomas [aged 36] succeeded 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland, 8th Baron Greystoke.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th November 1661. The xxv day of November was cared to the Towre the lord Dacurs of the North,-the v yer kyng Edward the vjt.

Diary of Edward VI. In Mr. Bowes' place¹ who was Warden of the West Marches, was put the lord Dacre; and in the lord Gray's place² the erle of Rutland, who after his comming entred Scoteland, and burnt divers villages, and toke moche pray.

Note 1. Sir Robert Bowes.

Note 2. As Warden of the East and Middle Marches.

[his son] Leonard Dacre was born to William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke and Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%.