Family and Education

b. c.1505, 3rd s. of Sir Richard Herbert (d.1539) of Montgomery Castle by 1st w. Jane, da. of William ap Rhys ap Philip of Llwynhywel, Pemb.; half-bro. of Edward and John Herbert. m. Jane, da. of John ap Meredydd, at least 1s. Richard.2

Offices Held

Bailiff, Montgomery 1537-8, 1539-40, 1545-6; j.p. Mont. 1543-?d.; sheriff 1545-6, 1552-3, 1568-9, Card. 1550-1; escheator, Mont. 1549-50, 1560-1; commr. relief, Mont. 1550, goods of churches and fraternities 1553, musters 1570.3

Biography

William Herbert of Park in the parish of Llanwnog was an important figure in the municipal life of Montgomery, where he was bailiff on at least three occasions. He was also a minor local gentleman with a residence not far from Newtown. Although some years older than his half-brother Edward Herbert, he ranked second to him in local affairs. Of his career there is little to be said and of his life still less. His family ruled Montgomery and his election there to four Parliaments calls for no further explanation. He was pricked sheriff of Montgomeryshire while sitting in the Parliament of 1545 and of Cardiganshire while doing so in its successor: as sheriff in 1553 he returned his half-brother Edward for Montgomeryshire to both Parliaments of that year and his son Richard for Montgomery Boroughs to the first. He was still on the bench in 1568, but his omission from the list of justices in May 1570, and his absence from the muster in the following month, suggest that he died about that time.

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: P. S. Edwards

Notes

• 1. Hatfield 207.
• 2. Date of birth estimated from those of younger brothers. Dwnn. Vis. Wales, i. 295, 312.
• 3. W. V. Lloyd, Sheriffs, Mont. 4; SC6/Hen. VIII 5249, m. 1; CPR, 1553, pp. 369, 419; 1560-3, p. 446; 1563-6, pp. 30, 484; R. Flenley, Cal. Reg. Council, Marches of Wales , 69; Mont. Colls. iii. 117, 126; C193/12/1; SP11/5/6.