Sir William Cavendish

Sir William Cavendish was an English courtier, and a financial expert holding public office in the Exchequer, which led to his wealth. His family was for centuries holding high government offices and had enjoyed much respect in high circles of society.

William’s brother George was friend and biographer of Thomas Wolsey, Lord Chancellor, the King's chief adviser, and through his influence William was first introduced to court. When King Henry VIII annexed the property of the Catholic Church at the end of the 1530s, in the dissolution of the monasteries, William was one of the commissioners who visited the monasteries to demand the surrender of their property to the crown. In 1541, for his services to the crown, he was rewarded with grants of land in Hertfordshire formerly belonging to the dissolved monasteries.

In 1546, William became treasurer of the king's chamber, was knighted, and was sworn of the Privy Council. After the death of Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547) and ascension of Edward VI (r. 1547-1553), William continued in his office and largely increased his landed property by fresh grants of monastic estates. Under Queen Mary I (r. 1553-1558), he was reappointed by her treasurer of the royal chamber. However, after an audit, William was accused of embezzling a significant amount of money. He died in the same year the scandal broke out, leaving his widow to carry on a long struggle with the Exchequer over his liability.