William Eure, 4th Baron Eure

William Eure was born around 1579. He was the only son of Ralph Eure, 3rd Baron Eure of Ingleby and Malton and, his first wife, the former Mary Dawnay. After his mother's death in March 1612, his father remarried to Elizabeth (nee Spencer) Carey, Baroness Hundson (widow of George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon and the second daughter of Sir John Spencer of Althorp). At that time, his surname was likely pronounced "Ewry", also given as Evers.[1] His father was a diplomat and politician who served as an MP of the Parliament of England for Yorkshire.[2]

His mother was the eldest daughter of Sir John Dawnay of Sessay and, his first wife, Elizabeth Tunstall (daughter of Sir Marmaduke Tunstall of Thurland Castle in Lancaster). His paternal grandparents were William Eure, 2nd Baron Eure and the former Margaret Dymoke (daughter of Sir Edward Dymoke of Scrivelsby and niece of Gilbert Tailboys, 1st Baron Tailboys of Kyme).[3] The barony had been granted by King Henry VIII in 1544 to William Eure (c. 1483–1548), Warden of the Eastern March, and Governor of Berwick upon Tweed.[4]

Educated at Queen's College, Oxford (1593) and Gray's Inn, London (1595), he was licensed to travel overseas about 1596 for a period of three years.

On 26 August 1600 on returning from hunting with some associates, he became involved in an acrimonious dispute and altercation with Sir Thomas Posthumous Hoby. The case was ultimately settled in the Court of Star Chamber by payment of £100 to Hoby.

In July 1603, he served as a Knight of the Bath at the English coronation of King James I.[3] Upon his father's death on 1 April 1617, he succeeded as the 4th Baron Eure.[3] *** Partially incorrect. He was created a KB at the Coronation of King James on 25 Jul 1603.[5]

His role in the accession is open to doubt and references may be confused with his uncle Sir William Eure of Bradley, who was only two years his senior (brother of Ralph, 3rd Baron). The award of a KB may be in recognition of the role played by Ralph, especially on the day of the Coronation.

In 1609 there was another altercation after a hunt, this time between a Yorkshireman called Warton and one of his servants. There was an exchange of words that resulted in Warton later challenging Sir William to a duel "to yield him satisfaction."

The Eure family were notable recusants.

The family fortunes sank during his tenure that despite selling both Witton and Jarrow, Eure remained so deeply in debt he had to garrison the family estate at Malton in July 1632 and withstand a siege from Sheriff Layton. When Lord Wentworth ordered cannon from Scarborough to breach the walls, "the stout old lord submitted."[6]

On 15 September 1601, he was married to Lucy Noel (bur. 20 January 1615/6), daughter of Sir Andrew Noel of Dalby and Brooke and the former Mabel Harington (sixth daughter of Sir James Harington of Exton and sister of John Harington, 1st Baron Harington of Exton). Lucy's brother was Edward Noel, 2nd Viscount Campden. Together, they were the parents of:[3]

• Hon. Ralph Eure of Bishop Middleham (c. 1602–1640), who was killed in a duel in 1640. No baptismal record yet found. He married Hon. Catherine Arundell (d. 1657), eldest daughter of Thomas Arundell, 1st Baron Arundell of Wardour), in 1627.[3] She was the sister of Anne Arundell (wife of Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore) and Thomas Arundell, 2nd Baron Arundell of Wardour.
• Col. Hon. William Eure, baptised 8 Aug 1609 New Malton St Leonard (d. 1644), who married Margaret Denton, daughter of Sir Thomas Denton of Hillesden.[3] He died at the Battle of Marston Moor on 2 July 1644.[7]
• Hon. Mary Eure, baptised 16 Sep 1602 Ingleby Greenhow, who married Sir William Howard of Naworth Castle and Henderskelfe Castle, the eldest son and heir of Sir Philip Howard (eldest son and heir apparent of Lord William Howard, and Hon. Elizabeth Dacre, sister and co-heiress of George Dacre, 5th Baron Dacre).[3] Sir William's sister, Alathea Howard was the wife of Thomas Fairfax, 2nd Viscount Fairfax of Emley.[8]
• Hon. Elizabeth Eure born about 1605 (d. 1654), who married Sir Francis Irnham of Nostell.[3] ***This entry is incorrect. Multiple sources confirm that Elizabeth firstly married Sir Francis Ireland of Nostell Priory. The marriage agreement exists in an archive but is not yet available digitally. Later, Elizabeth married a Colonel Thomas Fairfax - not known to be related to the famous family. With Sir Francis, Elizabeth had four children:

1. William Ireland about 1625- ? He married Barbara Eure of Washingborough. Descendants of William emigrated to the USA.
2. Ralph Ireland about 1626-1635
3. Elizabeth Ireland 1628- ? Apart from her baptismal record, she is only mentioned in the pedigree.
4. Marie or Mary Ireland about 1629 to about 1667. She was the famous "yonge bewtie" and friend of Marmaduke Rawdon [9] that incidentally confirms her father. Her husband was Thomas Arthur, son of F (possibly Francis) Arthur, an officer in the Star Chamber of Charles I of England. Thomas is believed to have died in the Plague in London of 1665; Mary may have lived to 1667. Their only known child Philothea was brought up in the household of Mary's cousin Sir Philip Howard (died 1686), Captain of the King's Lifeguards. Philothea was the mother of Vincent Perronet.

• Hon. Frances Eure (d. 1652).[3] Baptised 25 Apr 1611 New Malton St Leonard

Ongoing family researches have identified at least three further children:[10]

• Hon. Charles Eure, baptised 17 Jan 1615 at New Malton St Leonard
• Hon. Ann Eure, baptised 4 Jun 1612 at New Malton St Leonard
• Hon. Katherine Eure, baptised 20 Apr 1614 at New Malton St Leonard. She married Cuthbert Conyers and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann

Lady Lucy Eure died and was buried on 20 January 1615/6. Lord Eure died on 28 June 1646, and was succeeded by his grandson William, the only son of his eldest son (who predeceased him).[3]