Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke Knight of the Order of the Garter was one of the chief commanders against the Cornish rebels for Henry VII in 1497.
Background
Robert Willoughby was born at Brooke-in-Westbury, Wiltshire, the son of Sir John Willoughby of the family of the Barons Willoughby of Eresby, seated at Eresby Manor near Spilsby, Lincolnshire. His mother was Anne Cheney, 2nd daughter of Sir Edmund Cheyne (d1430) of Brooke-in-Westbury, by Alice Stafford, daughter of Sir Humphrey Stafford II of Hooke, and aunt to Humphrey Stafford, 1st Earl of Devon(d1469).
Career
Edmund Cheyne was the eldest son of Sir Ralph Cheyne (c 1337–1400) of Poyntington, Somerset, by Joan Pavely, daughter & co-heiress of Sir John Pavely of Brooke/Broke manor, Heywood, near Westbury, Wiltshire. He was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1479 and High Sheriff of Devon in 1480. He was Lord of the Manor of Callington and steward of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The barony of Willoughby de Broke, named after the manor of Brooke/Broke, Heywood, near Westbury, Wiltshire, was created when Robert Willoughby was summoned to Parliament by writ in 1492.
He died at the manor house of Callington, for he directed in his will that he should be buried in the church of the parish he died in.