Sir William Cornwallis of Brome

Sir William Cornwallis of Brome (c. 1549– 13 November 1611) was an English courtier and politician. Life He was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Cornwallis, Comptroller of the Household to Queen Mary, and his wife Anne Jerningham. He became a courtier at around age 21, spent heavily to secure position there, and married by 1578, Lucy Neville. Despite a family connection to Thomas Cecil, Cornwallis made little enough progress at court, and twice withdrew without regard for the loss of royal favour. In 1597 he was elected Member of Parliament for , with the support of Cecil. When James I came to the throne he fared no better, and retired from public life in 1605. Cornwallis spent freely, and entertained the Queen at his house in Highgate. He was knighted, by 1594. At the Union of the Crowns, in June 1603 he rode to Northamptonshire to meet Anne of Denmark and her children.