Sir William Fitzwilliam

Sir William Fizwilliam was a London merchant and official who served as sheriff of London.

Born in the family of John Fitzwilliam, esquire, of Greens Norton, Northamptonshire, William was apprenticed as a boy to Sir John Percyvale. He started his career of a London merchant in 1490 when he became a member of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, serving as its warden (1494-1498) and eventually a master (in 1499). In 1503 he successful obtained a new charter which allowed the Merchant Taylors to encroach on the interests of the other London companies.

Besides being a successful businessman, Fitzwilliam was also an owner of several estates in London and in the country. After 1511 Fizwilliam left his mercantile career and entered the service of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, serving as his treasurer and high chamberlain, as well as the member of Henry VII's council.

For his merits William was made a knight in 1515.