William Wright (16th century MP)

William Wright was one of two Members of the Parliament of England for the constituency of York on one occasion.

William Wright
Member of the England Parliament
for York
In office
1515–1523
Preceded byWilliam Nelson
Thomas Drawswerd
Succeeded byThomas Burton
John Norman
Personal details
Born1482
1543
NationalityEnglish
SpouseUrsula Joye
Children2 children
ParentWilliam (Father)

Life and politics

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There are few records detailing the life of William Wright. Born around 1482 to William Wright. He was a merchant and notary who became a member of Corpus Christi Guild in 1503 and held the offices of sheriff (1511–1512)[1] and Alderman of the City of York (1514).[2]

He was elected to represent the city as MP in 1515, but this was his only term in office. He was originally intended to serve with Alan Staveley, but Staveley was replaced by the more experienced William Nelson.[2] He also served as lord mayor of York (1518–1519)[1] having been elected by letters patent. At some point after serving as MP he married Urusula Joye of Riccall. In 1523 he was contracted by Cardinal Wolsey to be master of the archiepiscopal mint.[2][3] He served a second term a lord mayor in 1535[1] which was marked by a dispute over the lands at Bishopfields with the Archbishop of York.[2] William was a named executor of the will of fellow merchant and horner, William Huby.[4]

He recorded his will on 10 April 1543, shortly before his death. He requested to be buried in St Martin's Church in Coney Street and left a third of his goods to his wife and children.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hildyard, Christopher (1719). The antiquities of York city, and the civil government thereof; with a list of all the mayors and bayliffs, lord mayors and sheriffs, from the time of King Edward the First, to this present year, 1719. Collected from the papers of Christopher Hildyard, esq., with notes and observations. G.White. p. 70.
  2. ^ a b c d e "The History of Parliament Trust". Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  3. ^ Pallister, David Michael (1979). Tudor York. Oxford University Press. p. 107. ISBN 9780198218784.
  4. ^ Swanson, Heather Crichton (December 1980). Craftsmen and Industry in Late Medieval York (PDF). Department of History, University of York. p. 292.
Political offices
Preceded by Member of Parliament
1515–1523
Next:
Thomas Burton
John Norman