Background
He was born the son of Sir John Spencer of Althorp, Northamptonshire, and his wife Katherine Kitson, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave, Suffolk.
He was born the son of Sir John Spencer of Althorp, Northamptonshire, and his wife Katherine Kitson, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave, Suffolk.
He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge and trained in the law at the Middle Temple.
He succeeded his father in 1586, inheriting estates at Wormleighton, Warwickshire and Althorp, Northamptonshire, and was knighted in 1588. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Bedfordshire in 1577, for Northamptonshire in 1584 and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire for 1578-1579 and 1590-1591. He was elected Member of Parliament for Northampton in 1572.
Spencer died 9 January 1600 and was buried in Street Mary the Virgin Church, Great Brington, the parish church for Althorp.