Sir William Waldegrave

Sir William Waldegrave was an English landowner, soldier and Member of Parliament. He came to his wealth by means usual for feudal period, by inheritance, marriage, and official duties.

Waldegrave was a member of a prosperous Suffolk family, the eldest son of Sir George Waldegrave of Smallbridge and Anne Drury, the daughter of Sir Robert Drury. At the age of 20, he inherited his father’s large estate and fortune. Whilst on his deathbed, his father secured Waldegrave an advantageous marriage to a Suffolk heiress, Juliana, the daughter of Sir John Raysnford of Essex.

William Waldegrave combined local administration with attendance at court and military service. He was knighted by Henry VIII at the coronation of Anne Boleyn on 1 June 1533. He served under the Duke of Norfolk's command in the war against Scotland in 1542, and two years later he captained 60 of his own men in the French campaign. In 1545, he elected to the Parliament and was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk from 1550 to 1551.

While on an official business to Calais late in 1554, Waldegrave fell sick and died there on the following 12 December.