JENISON, William II (d.1634), of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumb.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Family and Education

1st s. of William Jenison I of Newcastle. educ. G. Inn 1585. m. (1) 1588, Anne, da. and coh. of William Claxton of Wynyard, co. Dur., 2da.; (2) Mary, da. of Sir John Widdrington of Widdrington, wid. of Henry Grey of Morpeth, 1s. suc. fa. 1587.1

Offices Held

Alderman, Newcastle, sheriff 1593, mayor 1599-1600, 1610-11, 1621-2; gov. Hostmen’s Co. 1605, 1606; gov. Newcastle Merchants’ Co. 1610.2

Biography

Jenison followed in his father’s footsteps. He was one of the ‘grand lessees’ who dominated the Newcastle council towards the end of the century (see CHAPMAN, Henry), and the opposing faction maintained that he financed the journey from municipal funds when he was summoned to York for misdemeanours committed during his shrievalty. He was named in a petition to the House of Lords as ‘suspected to be popish and backward in religion’. During his second term of office as mayor he received the town’s new charter, which confirmed him as mayor and alderman. He also became a member, and twice governor, of the newly incorporated Hostmen’s Company. Although not mentioned by name in the records of the House, he may have attended a committee concerning ale-houses (5 Nov. 1601) to which the burgesses for Newcastle-upon-Tyne were appointed.3

Jenison died in 1634

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: B.D.

Notes

  • 1. Dur. Vis. Peds. 189; Surtees, Hist. Dur. iii. 263.
  • 2. R. Welford, Hist. Newcastle and Gateshead, iii. 76.
  • 3. Surtees Soc. xxxviii. 152-7; Reg. Freemen of Newcastle (Newcastle Rec. Committee, iii), 4; D’Ewes, 626; Welford, 116, 125, 138, 142, 258.