Sir John Spencer, MP

Sir John Spencer of Althorp, co. North'ton, Kt., eldest pon and heir to Sir William, mar. Katherine, da. of Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave, co. Suffolk, Kt., and by her had issue, — John, his eldest son and heir-apparent; Thomas, second son; William, third son; Richard, fourth son; Edmond, fifth son; Margaret; Elizabeth ; Katherine ; Mary ; Amie ; and Alis.

Sir John Spencer (1524–8 November 1586) was an English landowner, sheriff and MP from the Spencer family.

He was born the only son of Sir William Spencer of Wormleighton Manor, Warwickshire, and Althorp, Northamptonshire, and his wife Susan, daughter of Sir Richard Knightley of Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was probably trained at the Middle Temple, succeeded his father in 1532 and was knighted in 1553.

He was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire for 1551–52, 1558–59, 1571–72 and 1583–84. He was elected Knight of the Shire (MP) for Northamptonshire in April, 1554 and again in 1558.

Sir John Spencer married by 1545 Katherine Kitson, the daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson of London and Hengrave Hall, Suffolk. They had five sons and six daughters, including

• Sir John Spencer, who succeeded to his father's estates at Wormleighton and Althorp
• Alice Spencer, who married Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby. Their daughter Anne (1580-1647) was heiress presumptive to the English throne upon the death of Elizabeth I according to the will of Henry VIII and the Third Succession Act. As Lady Derby, Alice was a noted patron of the arts and to whom poet Edmund Spenser represented the character "Amaryllis" in his eclogue Colin Clouts Come Home Againe in 1595 and dedicated his poem "The Teares of the Muses" in 1591.
• Sir William Spencer, the third son, who became a landowner in Yarnton, Oxfordshire. His son Thomas was Member of Parliament for Woodstock 1604-1611, and was created Baronet of Yarnton on 29 June 1611 in the Baronetage of England.
• Sir Richard Spencer, the fourth son, whose son John was a landowner in Offley Place, Great Offley, Hertfordshire, and was created Baronet of Offley on 14 March 1627 in the Baronetage of England.

Sir John Spencer died on 8 November 1586, and was buried with his wife Katherine Kitson in St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Brington (the parish church for Althorp) where his epitaph lists his sons, his daughters and their husbands. He was succeeded by his eldest son, John Spencer. He was a direct ancestor of Prime Minister Sir Winston Spencer Churchill and Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Spencer_(died_1586)

• ____________
• Sir John Spencer1
• M, #105345, d. 8 November 1586
• Last Edited=10 Aug 2011
• Sir John Spencer was the son of Sir William Spencer and Susan Knightley.2 He married Katherine Kitson, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson.2 He died on 8 November 1586.2
• He held the office of High Sheriff of Northamptonshire circa 1552.2 He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Northamptonshire in 1553.2 He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Northamptonshire in 1571.2 He lived at Althorp, Brington, Northamptonshire, England.3
• Children of Sir John Spencer and Katherine Kitson
  • 1.Sir John Spencer+2 d. 9 Jan 1599/0
  • 2.Sir William Spencer+2 d. 18 Dec 1609
  • 3.Sir Richard Spencer2
  • 4.Elizabeth Spencer4
  • 5.Anne Spencer+2 d. 22 Sep 1618
  • 6.Katherine Spencer+2 d. 1639
  • 7.Alice Spencer+1 b. c 1556, d. 23 Jan 1637
• Citations
• 1.[S6] G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume II, page 272. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage.
• 2.[S9] Charles Kidd and David Williamson, editor, DeBretts Peerage and Baronetage (London, U.K.: DeBrett's Peerage, 1999), volume 2, page 1870. Hereinafter cited as DeBretts Peerage, 1999.
• 3.[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume III, page 86.
• 4.[S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume VI, page 629.
• From: http://www.thepeerage.com/p10535.htm#i105345
• _______
• John Spencer1
• M, #86741, b. circa 1522, d. 8 November 1586
• Father William Spencer2 b. c 1495, d. 22 Jun 1532
• Mother Susanna Knightley2 b. c 1498, d. 22 Sep 1532
• John Spencer was born circa 1522 at of Fawsley, Northamptonshire, England.1 He married Katherine Kitson, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson and Margaret Donington, circa 1547 at of Hengrave, Suffolk, England.2 John Spencer died on 8 November 1586.1 He was buried on 9 November 1586 at Brington, Northamptonshire, England.1
• Family Katherine Kitson b. c 1525, d. b 8 Nov 1586
• Children
  • Anne Spencer1 d. 22 Sep 1618
  • Mary Spencer+2 b. c 1550, d. 1590
  • Elizabeth Spencer+3 b. c 1553
• Citations
• 1.[S11568] The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom, by George Edward Cokayne, Vol. III, p. 390-1.
• 2.[S61] Unknown author, Family Group Sheets, Family History Archives, SLC.
• 3.[S11568] The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom, by George Edward Cokayne, Vol. VI, p. 629-630.
• From: http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p2887.htm#...
• __________
• Catherine KYTSON
• Born: ABT 1525, Hengrave, Suffolk, England
• Died: BEF 8 Nov 1586
• Buried: Brington, Northamptonshire, England
• Father: Thomas KYTSON (Sir Knight)
• Mother: Margaret DONNINGTON (C. Bath)
• Married: John SPENCER of Wormleighton (Sir) 1545, Hengrave, Suffolk, England
• Children:
  • 1. Anne SPENCER (B. Mounteagle/B. Compton/C. Dorset)
  • 2. Catherine SPENCER
  • 3. Elizabeth SPENCER (B. Hundson /B. Eure of Witton)
  • 4. Alice SPENCER (C. Derby)
  • 5. John SPENCER of Wormleighton (Sir)
  • 6. Mary SPENCER
  • 7. Margaret SPENCER
  • 8. Thomas SPENCER
  • 9. William SPENCER of Yarnton (Sir)
  • 10. Richard SPENCER
  • 11. Edward SPENCER
• From: http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/KYTSON.htm#Catherine KYTSON1
• _____________
• SPENCER, Sir John (1524-86), of Althorp, Northants. and Wormleighton, Warws.
• Family and Education
• b. 1524, o.s. of Sir William Spencer of Althorp and Wormleighton by Susan, da. of Sir Richard Knightley of Fawsley, Northants. educ. ?M. Temple. m. by Oct. 1545 Catherine, da. of Sir Thomas Kitson of London and Hengrave, Suff., 5s. inc. John†, Richard† and William† 6da. suc. fa. 22 June 1532. Kntd. 2 Oct. 1553.1
• Offices Held
  • Sheriff, Northants. 1551-2, 1558-9, 1571-2, 1583-4; j.p. 1554, q. 1561-d.; dep. lt. 1560, 1586; collector for loan 1562; commr. musters by 1569.2
• Biography
• The Spencers first appear as Warwickshire graziers in the late 15th century and the family was still deriving much of its wealth from sheep after ennoblement in the reign of James I. The founder of its fortunes was the first Sir John Spencer, who purchased Wormleighton in 1506 and Althorp two years later.3
• This Sir John Spencer’s grandson and namesake was a child of eight when his father died leaving an estate which at his majority was valued at £454 a year. His uncles Edmund and Richard Knightley joined with his mother in an attempt to defraud the King of the wardship, and this was not granted to (Sir) Giles Alington until December 1539. Spencer may have entered the Middle Temple, to which his uncles belonged and which his eldest son was to join in 1564. His marriage to a daughter of the wealthy merchant Thomas Kitson, although less profitable than the one he was to arrange between his eldest son and a kinswoman, the only daughter of chief justice Sir Robert Catlyn, was a step in the social advance of the family, for three years later Lady Kitson became the Countess of Bath and married another of her daughters to the earl’s heir apparent.4
• Spencer served his first term as sheriff in the reign of Edward VI, but his knighting at Mary’s coronation implies that he had declared for her in the previous summer, perhaps following the lead of Sir Thomas Tresham in Northamptonshire. Two of his brothers-in-law, Richard Brydges and John Cotton, were knighted at about the same time and all three were to serve as knights of their shires in Marian Parliaments. Spencer’s two elections answered to his standing in Northamptonshire, where he was related to most of the leading families, whereas his disappearance from the Commons after 1558 is doubtless to be explained by his Catholicism and by the virtual monopoly of the shire’s representation by Privy Councillors. In 1564 Bishop Scambler judged him a ‘great letter [hinderer] of religion’ and ten years later Mary Stuart’s agent accounted him a Catholic, yet he was sufficient of a conformist to play a leading part in shire administration. Only the family of his third son William was to remain intermittently Catholic.5
• Spencer was a careful steward of his inheritance, which he augmented by judicious purchases, and he was able to settle estates on his three surviving younger sons and to provide generous dowries for his six daughters. All the daughters married well and his sons-in-law included Sir George Carey†, later 2nd Baron Hunsdon, Sir William Stanley, 3rd Lord Monteagle, and Ferdinando Stanley, later 5th Earl of Derby. He named Carey and another son-in-law Thomas Leigh of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, overseers of his will of 4 Jan. 1586 and his three younger sons executors. He bequeathed £40 in plate to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, and £20 to (Sir) Walter Mildmay, his fellow-Member in the Parliament of 1558. He died on 8 Nov. 1586 and was buried, according to his request, with his wife in Brington church where his epitaph listed his sons, his daughters and all their husbands.6
• Ref Volumes: 1509-1558
• Author: S. M. Thorpe
• Notes
• 1. M. E. Finch, Five Northants. Fams. (Northants. Rec. Soc. xix), ped. at end of vol. which gives date of birth.
• 2. CPR, 1553-4, p. 22; HMC Montagu, 9; Northants. Lieutenancy Pprs. (Northants. Rec. Soc. xxvii), pp. xviii, 2, 15; Osborn coll. Yale Univ. Lib. 71.6.41; CSP Dom. 1547-80, p. 345.
• 3. Finch, 38-65, 171-2; W. K. Jordan, Edw. VI, i. 403; Pevsner, Northants. 71-75.
• 4. Finch, 39, 50-51; LP Hen. VIII, v, vii, xiii, xiv, xx; DNB (Kytson, Sir Thomas); M.T. Recs. i. 145.
• 5. Cam. Misc. ix(3), 36; Cath. Rec. Soc. xiii. 94; Finch, 175.
• 6. Finch, 57-63, 173-8; Bridges, Northants. i. 45, 105, 108, 117, 130, 330-1, 472-6, 479, 484; PCC 1 Spencer; C142/215/258.
• From: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/sp...
• _________________
• Our New England ancestors and their descendants, 1620-1900: historical ... By Henry Whittemore
• http://archive.org/details/ournewenglandanc00whit
• http://archive.org/stream/ournewenglandanc00whit#page/98/mode/1up
• Pg.50
  • Spencer.
• Collins states further: This family (the Spencers) claim a descent from the ancient Baronial family of De Spenser, of whom Robert de Spenser came over with the Conqueror and was, as his name imports, steward to that monarch. At the time of the Domesday Book he had four lordships in Warwickshire, one in Gloucestershire, fifteen in Lincolnshire and seventeen in Leicestershire.
• Robert Le De Spenser was father of
  • William De Spenser, after whom was
• Thurston Le De Spenser, the King's steward, a powerful man, father of Americus le Despenser de Stanley, who married Eldai Blewett.
• Thurston Spencer, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 19th, 20th, 22d, Henry III, who died before 1249, who by Lucia __ left
• Sir Jeffrey (or Galfridus) Spencer, who died about 1251, leaving two sons, Sir Hugh and Jeffrey. Sir Hugh, the eldest, was a great Baron and father of Hugh, Earl of Winchester, and grandfather of Hugh, Earl of Gloucester.
• Geoffrey Le De Spenser, second son, is stated to have been Lord of Marchley in Worcestershire, and to have died 1242. he was father of John Le De Spenser, who, with others of the family, took part with the Barons in the wars against Henry III, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Northampton. By Ann, his second wife, he had two sons: Adam, who died young, and William.
• William Le Despenser left a son and heir, John Le De Spenser, who was in the retinue of John of Gaunt, nominal King of Castile, in his voyage to Spain. he was afterward Keeper of the Wardrobe of Henry V, and was with him at the siege of Roan. He had by his wife Alice (daughter and heir of Giles Deverill),
• http://archive.org/stream/ournewenglandanc00whit#page/100/mode/1up
• Pg.51
• Nicholas Spenser, whose eldest son and heir was Henry Spenser, who married Isabel, daughter and co-heir of Henry Lincoln, and had four sons, of whom the eldest was John Spenser, who had a son John.
• Sir John Spencer, eldest son of John, was denominated of Smithfield. On Sept. 3, 1506, he purchased the great lordship of Wormleighton, in co. Warwick. He died April 14, 1522. He married Isabel, daughter and co-heir of Walter Gaunt, Esq., of Snellerfield in Warwickshire, who had issue,
• Sir William Spenser, who received the honor of Knighthood A. D. 1529, and in 23 and 24 Henry VIII, was Sheriff of Northamptonshire. He died 1532. He married Susan __, and had
• Sir John Spenser, who was Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 5 Edward VI, and elected one of the Knights of the shire in parliament for that county in the 1st Queen Mary. He died Nov. 8, 1586, having married Katharine, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson, and had William.
• Sir William Spenser, third son of Sir John, received the honor of Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth, 1592, and died Dec. 1609. By his wife Margaret, daughter of Francis Bowyer, he had two sons, Thomas the eldest, and five daughters. ....
• ________________________
• The Visitation of the county of Warwick in the year 1619. Taken by William Camden, Clarenceaux king of arms (1877) Vol. 12
• http://archive.org/details/visitationcount01britgoog
  • Spencer - CHART Pg.282-285
• http://archive.org/stream/visitationcount01britgoog#page/n310/mode/1up
• Pg. 284
• Joh'es le Despensor tem. E. 1. = ch: Adam, Willm's le Despensor.
• Willm's Despensor 2 fil. ob. 2 E. 3. = ch: Joh'es (m. _ Deuerell) Despensor.
• Joh'es Despensor fil. et haeres = . . . . fil. & haer. Deuerell.; ch: Nich'us (m. _ Pollard) Spencer.
• Nich'us Spencer filius Johannis = . . . . filia Pollard.; ch: Willm's (m. _ Cleere), Thomas Spencer.
• Thomas Spencer. = ch: Henricus (m. Isabella Lincolne) Spencer.
• Henricus Spencer. = Isabella fil. et haer. Lincolne ob 18 E. 4.; ch: Joh'es (m. _ Warsted), Thomas, Willm's, Edwardus Spencer.
• Joh'es Spencer de Wormeleighton et Hadnell. = . . . . filia . . .. Warsted.; ch: Wilm's (m. _ Empson), Johe's Spencer
• Wilm's Spencer de Wormleighton. = . . . . filia Empson soror Rich. Empson militis.; ch: Joh'es (m. Isabella Gaunt), Thomas Spencer.
• Joh'es Spencer de Wormleighton 20 H. 7. = Isabella fil. et haer. Walteri Gaunt de Smith in Com. War.; (Pg.285 ch: Elizab. (m. Joh'is Greuill), Thomas, Willm's (m. Susanna Knightley), Isabella (m. Nichi Strelley), Jana (m. Ric'i Knightley) Spencer.
• http://archive.org/stream/visitationcount01britgoog#page/n311/mode/1up
• Pg.285
• Willm's Spencer de Wormleighto' ob 1532. = Susanna fil. Ric'i Knightley de Fanesley militis.; ch: Anna (m. _ Goodwin), Dorothea (m. Tho. Spencer), Joh'es (m. Katherina Kitson), Jane (m. Ric'i Bridges), Isabella (m. Johes Cotton), Maria (m. Tho. Bowes) Spencer.
• Joh's Spencer de Elthorp in Comitat. Northamp. miles. = Katherina fil. Tho. Kitson de Comitat. Suff. militis.; ch: Alicia (m. Ferdinan. Comitis Darbiae & Tho. Egerton), Mary (m. Edw. Aston), Joh'es (m. Margareta Catlin), Katherina (m. Tho. Leigh), Elizab. (m. Georgij Carye), Margareta (m. Egidij Alington & Edw. Elrington), Anna (m. Will'i Monteagle & Henrici Compton & Rob'ti Dorset). Willi'm (m. Margareta Bowier), Ricus (m. Elinora Brokett), Thomas (m. Maria' Cheeke) Spencer.
• ____________________________
• Collins's peerage of England; genealogical, biographical, and historical (1812)
• http://archive.org/details/collinsspeerage_01coll
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n405/mode/1up
• Sir John Le De Spenser, whose guardianship was commited to Emma his mother. He was of Full age, 40 Henry III. at which time being stiled son of Geffrey, .... etc.
• ,,,, He died
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n406/mode/1up
• Pg. 381
• in 1274, and by inquisition taken next year, at Gertre, in com. Leicester, he is found to die possessed of the manor of Beransby, and the moiety of Wigan de la Mre, with several other lands .... He had also restitution of his manors of Castle Carlton, and Cavenby; for by two several inquisitions the same year, he is said to died possessed of them, in right of his wife Joan; but having no issue of her body alive, he held them only by the courtesy of England; and John de Merith entered on the same as his right, by the death of Joan, daughter of Robert de Lou, late wife of the said John De Spencer, cousin of the aforesaid John de Merieth, whose heir he is, and at that time thirty years old.
• This Sir John De Spenser, by Anne, his second wife, had two sons, viz. Adam, who died young, and William Le De Spenser, his heir, styled of Belton, and one of the jury at an inquisition taken at Bredon, on june 8th, 1306, concerning the wright of electing a prioress of Langley, in com. Leicester. He resided at Defford, in com. Wigorn, and died possessed thereof about 1328, as appears by an inquisition taken at Pershore, which likewise shews that John was his son and heir, and of full age.
• Which John was in the retinue of John of Gaunt, .... He had issue by Alice his wife (daughter and heir of Giles Deverell.)
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n407/mode/1up
• Pg. 382
• Nicholas his son and heir, who by Joan his wife, daughter of Richard Polard, of Kent, had issue two sons, Thomas; and William, who by his wife . . . ., daughter of Gilbert de Clare, had one son John, who married Alice daughter and heir of William Livesay, and died without issue, in the year 1456.
• Thomas, the eldest son and heir of Nicholas, was father of Henry Spencer, of Badby in com. Northampton, Esq. as appears by a receipt, dated 13 Henry VI. for subsidies then paid to that King.
• Which Henry took to wife Isabel, daughter and coheir of Henry Lincoln, from whom proceeded four sons, John, Thomas, William, and Nicholas; and died about 16 Edward IV. his last will and testament bearing date 1476, wherein he appoints his sons, John and Thomas, executors, and Isabel his wife overseer. The seal affixt had the arms the family now bear, viz. quartely in the first and third a fret, over all, on a bend, three escallops. He was succeeded by his eldest son,
• John Spencer, of Hodnell, Esq. who is .... his wife's who was daughter and heir of . . . . Warsted; by whom he had .... etc.
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n408/mode/1up
• Pg.383
• two sons; first William hereafter mentioned; second, John Spencer, of Hodnell, in com. Warwick, Esq. who died anno 1498, and was buried at Hodnell; he held lands in eighteen several lordships; as appears by his last will and testament, dated on September 15th, 1486; by which he appoints his body to be buried in the chancel of the parish church of Hodenhull, and constitutes his nephew, John Spencer, of Snitterfeild, Esq. son of his brother William, one of his executors; entailing his lands on him in default of issue male of his own son Thomas (from whom Spencers of Hodnell) and in default of issue of him, the said John, to the heirs male of Thomas, the said John's late brother, of whom hereafter.
• William Spencer, Esq. (eldest son and heir of John) was, in 1 Henry VII. seated at Rodburne in Warwickshire, and having married Elizabeth, sister to Sir Richard Empson, Knight, had issue a daughter, Jane, wife of Stephen Cope of Hanwell in Oxfordshire, Esq. and two sons, Sir John (of whom hereafter, as heir) and Thomas.
• The said Thomas had issue, William, who had the estate at Badby in Northamptonshire, whose son, Thomas Spencer, was of Everdon in the same county, and dying on August 17th, 1576, had sepulture there. He married his cousin Dorothy, third daughter of Sir William Spencer of Althorpe (the Duke of Marlborough's predecessor) and by her was father of .... etc.
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n409/mode/1up
• Pg.384
• Sir John Spencer, eldest son, was demoninated of Snitterfeild, in com. Warwick; having acquired that estate in right of his wife Isabel, one of the daughters and coheirs of Walter Graunt, Esq.; .... etc.
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n410/mode/1up
• Pg.385
• .... At his feet, against the wall, is the inscription in capitals, setting forth his marriage and issue: by which it appears, that he died April 14th, 1522, having married Isabel, daughter and coheir of Walter Graunt of Snitterfeild, in Warwichshire, Esq. by the daughter and heir of Humphry Rudinge, of the Wich in Warcestershire, Esq.; by whom he had, first, Sir William Spencer; second, Anthony, who died without issue; third, Jane, wife of Richard Knightley, Esq. son and heir of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley in Northamptonshire, Knight; fourth, Isabel, married to Sir Nicholas Strelly, of Strelly in Nottinghamshire, Knight; fifth, Dorothy, married to Sir Richard Catesby, of Legers Ashby in Northamptonshire, Bart.
• Sir William Spencer received the honour of knighthood, A. D. 1529; and in 23 and 24 Henry VII. was sheriff of Northamptonshire. His last will bears date June 17th, 1532, whereby he bequeaths his body to be buried at Brington, in such manner as his executors shall think fit; orders his father's will to be complied with in every article, not then performed: appoints Dame Susan, his wife, Sir Nicholas Strelley, Knight; Anthony Cope, Esq.; Walter Smith, Esq.; and two others, his executors; and that they take care of John, his only son, then very young; .... etc.
• Over the said tomb, on a tablet under an arch, is likewise an inscription, whence it appears that he died 1532, having married Susan, daughter of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley in Northamptonshire, Knight, and had issue, first, Sir John, only son; second, Isabel, marrried to Sir John Cotton, of Lanwade in Cam-
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n411/mode/1up
• Pg.386
• bridgeshire, Knight; third, Jane, wife of Sir Richard Brugis, of Shefford in Berkshire, Knight; fourth, Dorothy, marrried to Thomas Spencer, of Everdon in Northamptonshire, Esq.; fifth, Anne, wife of Sir John Goodwin, of Winchendon in Northamptonshire, Knight, which Anne died without issue; sixth Mary, wife of Thomas Boles, of Walington in Hertfordshire, Esq.
• Sir John Spencer, the only son, .... etc.
• http://archive.org/stream/collinsspeerage_01coll#page/n412/mode/1up
• Pg. 387
• He died November 8th, 1586, having married Katherine daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson, of Hengrave in Suffolk, Knight, by whom he had issue; first Sir John Spencer, Knight; second, Thomas Spencer, of Claredon in Warwickshire, Esq.; third, Sir William Spencer, of Yarnton, com. oxford, Knight, fourth, Richard Spencer, of Offley in Hertfordshire, Esq.; fifth, Edward Spencer, who died without issue; sixth, Margaret married to Giles Allington of Horseheath in Cambridgeshire, Esq. and afterwards to Edward Eldrington, Esq.; seventh, Elizabeth married to George Lord Hunsdon; eighth, Katherine, wife of Sir Thomas Leigh, of Stoneley in Warwickshire, Knight; ninth, Mary married to Sir Edward Aston of Tixhall in Staffordshire, Knight; tenth, Anne, wife of William Lord Monteagle who had no issue by her; and afterwards married to Henry Lord Compton; and lastly to Robert Sackville, son and heir of Thomas Lord Buckhurst, lord treasurer; eleventh, Alice, married to Ferdinando, Earl of Derby, and then to Sir Thomas Egerton, Knight, lord keeper of the great seal.
• ___________________
• 1. The Heraldry of the Early Spencers
• The Heraldry of the Early Spencers
• In the Spencer Chapel in Great Brington Church there are monuments to six consecutive generations of the Spencer family:
• 1. Sir John Spencer (died 1522) and his wife Isabella Graunt
• 2. Sir William Spencer (died 1532) and his wife Susan Knightley
• 3. Sir John Spencer (died 1586) and his wife Katherine Kitson
• 4. Sir John Spencer (died 1599) and his wife Mary Catelin
• 5. Robert, 1st Baron Spencer (died 1627) and his wife Margaret Willoughby
• 6. William, 2nd Baron Spencer (died 1636) and his wife Lady Penelope Wriothesley
• These monuments are liberally decorated with carved or painted shields, using Spencer Modern (the arms assigned to the Spencers of Althorp in 1595), as shown in Fig. 1, to illustrate through heraldry the family connections of the Spencers of Althorp. What does this heraldry say to us, if anything? .... etc.
• 2. Spencer (pre 1603)
• Spencer, of Althorp, co. Northampton (pre 1603)
• 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 .... etc.
• 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: ... etc.
  • 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: .... etc.
  • 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: .... etc.
  • 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 .... etc.
• From: http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/ - SEARCH SITE FOR SPENCER
• _____________________
• John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough, DL, JP (born 13 April 1926), is the son of Lt.-Col. John Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough and his wife, Hon. Alexandra Mary Hilda Cadogan. He is also a relation .... etc.
  • Patrilineal descent[6][7]
• Raoul de Tancarville, 920-?
• Gerard, seigneur de Tancarville, 975-?
• Gerard, seigneur de Tancarville in Normandy, 1015-1066
• Amaury d'Abetot, 1046-1096, brother of Gerold de Roumare, seigneur de Roumare, grandfather of *William de Roumare, Earl of Lincoln[8]
• Robert Despenser, died after 1098, Royal Steward of King William II of England
• Wlliam Despenser, of Elington, Lincolnshire, born ca 1090
• Thurston le Despencer, born ca 1122
• Hugh Despencer, of Rhyale, Rutland, 1152-1199
• Thomas Despencer, of Elington, Lincolnshire, born 1169 (his fourth son was Hugh le Despenser I whose son Hugh was the ancestor of the medieval Despencer family).
• Geoffrey le Despencer, of Defford, Worcestershire, 1185-1242, married Emma de Harcourt, of the House of Harcourt
• John le Despencer, 1235-1251
• William Spencer, of Defford, Worcestershire, (fl.c.1330), he changed his surname from the original French Le Despenser to the English Spencer[9]
• John Spencer, of Defford, born 1310
• Nicholas Spencer, of Defford, born ca 1340
• Thomas Spencer, of Defford, born 1366
• Henry Spencer, of Badby, Northamptonshire, 1392-1476
• John Spencer, of Hodnell, 1420-?
• William Spencer, of Rodburn, Warwickshire, ?-1485
• Sir John Spencer, Kt. of Snitterfield & Althorp, (1447-1522. He bought Wormleighton, co. Warwick, 1506, and Althorp, co. Northampton, 1508. He was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire 1511, and was knighted in or after 1519. At this point, the family became hereditary armigers.
• Sir William Spencer, Kt. of Wormleighton & Althorp, (1483-1532), Sheriff of Northamptonshire; married Susan, daughter of Sir Richard Knightley, of Fawsley, Northamptonshire
• Sir John Spencer, Kt. of Wormleighton & Althorp, (1517 [1524 per Cracroft]-1586) MP for Northampton, Sheriff and sometime Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire; married Katherine Kitson (bur. at Great Brington, co. Northampton), 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. Of their five sons, three became MPs, and of their six daughters, three married peers.
• Sir John Spencer, Kt. of Wormleighton & Althorp, MP (1550-1599) married Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Catlyn. It was this Sir John Spencer who assumed the arms of the medieval Despencer family.
• Robert Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer of Wormleighton (1570-1627)
• William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer of Wormleighton (1591–1636)
• Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland (1620–1643)
• Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1640–1702)
• Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland (1675–1722), married Lady Anne Churchill daughter and heiress of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
• Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706–1758)
• George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739–1817)
• George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840), he took double surname Spencer-Churchill
• George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857)
• John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822–1883)
• George Charles Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough (1844–1892)
• Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough (1871–1934)
• John Albert William Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough (1897–1972)
• John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough (b. 1926)
• From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Spencer-Churchill,_11th_Duke_of_M...
• ____________________________

Sir John Spencer was the son of Sir William Spencer and Susan Knightley.2 He married Katherine Kitson, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson. He died on 8 November 1586.

Sir John Spencer held the office of High Sheriff of Northamptonshire circa 1552. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Northamptonshire in 1553. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Northamptonshire in 1571. He lived at Althorp, Brington, Northamptonshire, England.

• ________________________

Ref: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bateschas... Married in 1545.

Visitation of Hertfordshire Page 165: Spencer of Offley. < Archive.Org >

References

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Spencer-305