16th century Lords Lieutenant

1545 - Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk KG (1484 - 1545)

Son of Sir William Brandon, Henry VII’s standard-bearer who was killed at Bosworth Field. A most powerful nobleman under Henry VIII by reason of his marriage to the King's sister. In the year of his death, he was Lieutenant of eleven counties including Buckinghamshire.

1551 - Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset KG KB (1500 - 1552)

He had minor court appointments until his sister married Henry VIII. On his nephew’s accession as Edward VI he became Protector of the Realm and held supreme power until ousted by Northumberland in 1549. He was pardoned the following year and appointed Lieutenant for Berkshire and Buckinghamshire on 10th May 1551 but later in the year was found guilty of felony and beheaded.

1552 - Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford KG KB (1527 - 1585)

Francis Russell was Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 1547 and Member of Parliament for the shire 1547-1552. In 1552 he was created a peer in his own right until he succeeded his father in 1555. He later served Elizabeth I in many offices and was Lieutenant of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall for many years. His magnificent tomb is in Chenies church.

1553 - William Parr, Marquess of Northampton KG (1513 - 1571)

His sister Catherine was Henry VIII’s last wife. The Duke of Northumberland made him Lieutenant of ten counties and their attempt to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne failed and Northampton was forfeited. He was later recreated Marquess of Northampton by Elizabeth 1, but he died without heirs.

1559 - Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk KG KB (1537 - 1572)

Succeeded his grandfather as fourth Duke, as his father had been executed for treason eleven days before the third Duke was imprisoned. His appointment as Lieutenant -General of the North brought him the Lieutenancy of many counties including Buckinghamshire. His attempts to marry Mary Queen of Scots ended in disaster and he was executed for treason in 1572.

1569 and 1587 - Arthur Grey, 14th Lord Grey of Wilton KG (1536 - 1593)

Grey’s manors in Buckinghamshire were at Bletchley, Fenny Stratford and Whaddon. He pulled down Water Hall, the medieval manor house at Bletchley and moved to Whaddon because he preferred the site, but died impoverished in the house he had built there. His only son forfeited all his lands on being convicted for treason and they were granted by James I to George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.