BRANDON

1. Sir WILLIAM, Knt.- of Soham, Suffolk

living in 1497

In Dec. 1447 and Jan. 1448 Robert Wingfield Sr. and his son Robert, with their associate William Brandon who had also been prominent in the Duke of Norfolk's service earlier in the decade, were indicted in King's Bench for a series of offences including assault, theft, and threatening behaviour. It was alleged that on 6 Dec. Richard Hadilsay, Norfolk's chaplain at Framlingham, complained to the duke of threats made against him by Wingfield's son Robert, who was also at that point staying at the castle. Norfolk ordered Robert to bind himself to keep the peace towards Hadilsay, the esquire refused, and was sent to Melton gaol on the duke's orders. Three hours late, on Wingfield's instructions, William Brandon rescued Robert from prison. Norfolk secured letters patent from the king ordering Brandon and Robert not to come within seven miles of him. Both, nevertheless, spent Christmas at Letheringham, well within the forbidden radius from the duke's house at Framlingham. The dispute that ensued only ended with Wingfield's death.(2)

Sir William was one of Norfolk's advisers. He was marshal of the King's Bench from 1457, M.P. 1467-8 and 1472-5 and often a Justice of the Peace. He took a leading part in the siege of Caister in 1469 and John III wrote of him in 1471 as one of his greatest enemies.(1)

Amongst the early Chancery proceedings is a suit by Richard, son of Austin Cavendysh against Sir John Wyngfield, Knt., Sir William Brandon, Knt., John Sulyard, and Edward Gymston, as to the manor and the advowsons of the churches of St. Martin and St. John of Aleneston, and lands in Trimley St. Mary and St. Martin, Walton, "Fylstowe" (Felixstowe), Kirketon and Falcenham.(3)

Sir William was also involved in a dispute concerning the manor of Horham which ended in a lawsuit with Sr. Richard Corbald about the year 1440.(4)

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