SOUTHAMPTON, WILLIAM FITZWILLIAM, EARL OF

born c. 1490 died October 1542, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Eng. English admiral during the reign of Henry VIII. A son of Sir William Fitzwilliam of Aldwarke, near Rotherham, Fitzwilliam was a companion in boyhood of Henry VIII and was knighted for his services at the siege of Tournai in 1513. Later he was treasurer of Thomas, Cardinal Wolsey's household and was sent several times to France on diplomatic business. As vice admiral he commanded a fleet when England and France were at war in 1523. He was comptroller of the royal household, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, and keeper of the privy seal. In 1537 he became lord high admiral and Earl of Southampton. He went to Calais to conduct Anne of Cleves to England and wrote in flattering terms to Henry about his bride. He died while marching with the English army into Scotland. He left no sons, and his title became extinct.