Sir William Maurice was a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons

House of Commons of England

The House of Commons of England was the lower house of the Parliament of England from its development in the 14th century to the union of England and Scotland in 1707, when it was replaced by the House of Commons of Great Britain...

 at various times between 1593 and 1611.

Maurice was the son of Morys ap Ellis ap Morys, and grandson of Ellis ap Morris of Clennenau. He was one of the Council of the Marches of Wales. He was High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire

High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire

This is a list of High Sheriffs of Caernarvonshire.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 1582 and High Sheriff of Merionethshire

High Sheriff of Merionethshire

This is a list of High Sheriffs of Merionethshire. The historic county of Merioneth was originally created in 1284. The administrative county of Merioneth was created from the historic county under the Local Government Act 1888. This was abolished in turn under the Local Government Act 1972 on...

 in 1591. In 1593, he was elected Member of Parliament

Member of Parliament

A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...

 for Carnarvonshire. He was High Sheriff of Carnarvonshire again in 1596. In 1597 he was re-elected MP for Carnarvonshire. In 1601 he was elected MP for Beaumaris. He was a personal friend of James I, and induced him to assume the title of King of Great Britain. He was knighted at Whitehall on 23 July 1603. In 1604 he was elected MP for Carnarvonshire again. He was High Sheriff of Merionethshire again in 1606. He was of Clennenau and was probably constable of Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle, located in Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, is a concentric castle, constructed atop a cliff close to the Irish Sea. Architecturally, it is particularly notable for its massive gatehouse....

.

Maurice died at the age of 70 and was buried at Penmorfa.

Maurice married firstly Margaret Lacon only daughter of John Wyn Lacon of Elanddyn and Porkington. He died in 1572 and was buried at Selattyn on 18 February 1572. He married secondly Ellen Wis, widow of John Wis of Chwaen and daughter of Hugh ap Llewelyn. His third wife, whom he married between 6 June 1604 and 8 June 1605 was Jane Johnes widow of Sir Thomas Johnes of Abfrmarles and daughter of Rowland Puleston of Carnarvon.