Sir William Master was an English politician.

Early life

William Master was born in 1600 in Gloucestershire, England, the son of George Master and Bridget Cornwall, daughter and heiress of John Cornwall, Esq. of Marlborough. He was the grandson of Richard Master

Richard Master

Dr. Richard Master was a leading 16th-century English physician and personal doctor of Queen Elizabeth.-Early life:Master was the son of Robert Master. He became a fellow at All Souls' College in Oxford, eventually graduating with a B.A. in 1533 and an M.A. in 1537...

.

In 1622, he was knighted by King James I

James I of England

James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...

, and in 1623, elected to represent Cirencester in Parliament. He served as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire

High Sheriff of Gloucestershire

This is a list of High Sheriffs of Gloucestershire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...

 in 1627 following his appointment to the position by King Charles I

Charles I of England

Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...

.

English Civil War

Initially Master was favourable to Parliament at the outbreak of the English Civil War

English Civil War

The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...

, however, following the Royalist invasion of his town, Master signed over contributions to the Royal Army after Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert of the Rhine

Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, 1st Duke of Cumberland, 1st Earl of Holderness , commonly called Prince Rupert of the Rhine, KG, FRS was a noted soldier, admiral, scientist, sportsman, colonial governor and amateur artist during the 17th century...

 and Prince Maurice were quartered in his home, and he became a staunch Royalist. King Charles I

Charles I of England

Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...

 would also spend time in Master's home, once in August of 1642 en route from Oxford

Oxford

The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...

 to Bristol and again in 1644 en route from Oxford to Bath.

His estate was eventually sequestered and by 1652 was still faced with difficulty as a result.

Marriage and family

Sir William married Alice, daughter of Sir Edward Estcourt, and had 12 children:

• Thomas, esquire and heir
• William
  William Master (author)
  William Master was an English divine and writer. He was the son of the politician Sir William Master and the brother of John Master.-References:...
  
  , author of "Essays and Observations, Theological and Moral"
• George, barrister
• Richard
• John
  John Master
  John Master , was an English physician. He was the son of the politician William Master, brother of the clergyman and author William Master and assisted the medical author Thomas Willis.-References:...
  
  , doctor
• Robert
• Mary, married Richard Browne, Esq.
• Ann, married Richard Morgan, Esq.
• Bridget, married Thomas Smythe, Esq.
• Alice
• Elizabeth
• Winifred