William Parker

Background

William Parker was born in 1575, the place birth is unknown, the eldest son of Edward Parker, 12th Baron Morley, and Elizabeth Stanley.

Career

When quite a youth, Parker was styled Lord Monteagle in right of his mother. He was allied with many Roman Catholic families, and during the reign of Elizabeth was in sympathy with their cause. He received knighthood when with Essex in Ireland in 1599, and in 1601 took part in the latter's rebellion in London, when he was punished by imprisonment and a fine of £8000. In 1602, he subsequently joined in sending the mission to Spain inviting Philip III to invade England. He was intimate with Catesby and others, and expressed an opinion some few months before gunpowder plot that the Romanists had a good opportunity of making good their claims by taking up arms against the king. It is certain that he was one of those who acquiesced in James I's accession and assisted Southampton in securing the Tower for the king. He was taken into favour, and received a summons to attend the parliament on November 5, 1605, as Lord Monteagle. On October 26, 1605, while sitting at supper at Hoxton, he received the celebrated letter giving warning of the gunpowder plot, probably written by Francis Tresham. After having caused it to be read aloud by Ward, a gentleman in his service and an intimate friend of Winter, one of the chief conspirators, he took it to Whitehall and showed it to Lord Salisbury and other ministers. On November 4, he accompanied Lord Suffolk, the lord chamberlain, in his visit to the vault under the parliament house, where Guy Fawkes was found. Monteagle received 700 a year for his services in averting the disaster. In 1609 he was chosen a member of the council of the Virginia Company and subscribed to its funds. The same year "disorders in his house" are reported, probably referring to his harbouring of Roman Catholic students from St. Omer. In 1618, on the death of his father, he was summoned to parliament as Baron Morley and Monteagle.

William Parker died on July 1, 1622, at Great Hallingbury, Essex, where he was buried.

Achievements

• William Parker was a peer, best known for his role in the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot.
  
  In 1599, William Parker received knighthood.

Membership

In 1609, William Parker became a member of the council of the Virginia Company.

Connections

William Parker was married to Lady Elizabeth Morley Tresham, by whom he had six children.

Father:

Edward Parker

Edward Parker, 12th Baron Morley, was an English statesman and peer.

Mother:

Elizabeth Parker (Stanley)

Sister:

Mary Habington (Parker)

Sister:

Frances Danby (Parker)

Wife:

Elizabeth Morley Parker (Tresham)

Daughter:

Frances Parker

Daughter:

Catherine Savage (Parker)

Daughter:

Elizabeth Jennings (Parker)

Son:

Charles Parker

Son:

William Parker

Son:

Henry Parker

Brother:

Charles Parker