William Danvers Explained

William Danvers (1428 – 19 April 1504) of Chamberhouse Castle in Thatcham, Berkshire, was a British judge. He was a Serjeant-at-Law and a Justice of the Peace.

Origins

He was a younger son of John Danvers (died 1449) of Calthorpe, near Banbury and of Prescote in the parish of Cropredy, both in Oxfordshire who served four times as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire, in 1420, 1421, 1423 and 1435. His mother (his father's second wife) was Joan Bruley, daughter and heiress of John Bruley, of Waterstock, Oxfordshire, a son of William Bruley, MP. His elder half-brother was Sir Robert Danvers (d.1467), another notable judge.

Career

He became a Justice of the Peace for Oxfordshire in 1456, and served again for Berkshire in 1463.[1] He represented Taunton in Parliament in 1467 and 1472, and with him in that Parliament was his brother Thomas, who sat for Downton. William was also member for Hindon in 1478.[1] He became a Serjeant-at-Law in 1485 and was made a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas on 5 February 1488.[2]

On the death of his brother Thomas Danvers in 1502, William Danvers inherited the manors of Adderbury, Colthorpe, and the family property in Banbury, Bourton, Cropredy, Milton, and elsewhere.[3]

Marriage

In 1470 he married Anne Pury, by whom he was the grandfather of Edmund Docwra MP and great-grandfather of Henry Docwra, 1st Baron Docwra of Culmore.

Death

He died on 19 April 1504 and was buried in St Mary's Church, Thatcham.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sir William Danvers (1428-1504) . Royal Berkshire History . David . Nash Ford . 2007 . 15 January 2009.
  2. Book: Foss, Edward. A Biographical Dictionary of the Justices of England (1066–1870). John Murray . London . 1870. 213 .
  3. Book: Macnamara, F. N. . Memorials of the Danvers Family (of Dauntsey and Culworth) . London . Hardy & Page . 1895 . 177 .