On this day in Tudor history, 3 October 1559, Sir William Fitzwilliam, gentleman of Prince Edward’s privy chamber, MP, court insider, and later deputy chancellor in Ireland under Mary I, died and was honoured with burial in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

He was one of those capable, steady figures who moved quietly through the Henrician, Edwardian, and Marian courts, and kept being trusted.

Who was he?

• Born to a family steeped in royal service.
• Gray’s Inn training - legal polish for a life in administration.
• Household service to Sir William Fitzwilliam, later Earl of Southampton
• MP for Guildford (1542), New Shoreham (1547), Berkshire (1553, 1559).
• At court: to Prince Edward’s privy chamber (1544), rising to chief gentleman (1545); trusted by Somerset and Northumberlan ...