William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester

Who was William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester?

William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, KG was born before 1526 to Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and his second wife Elizabeth Browne.

On 26 November 1549, he succeeded his father and became the 3rd Earl of Worcester. Before 19 May 1550, Worcester married Christian North. She was a daughter of Edward North, 1st Baron North and his wife Alice Squire. They were parents to three children:

Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester.

Elizabeth Somerset. Married William Windsor. He was a namesake son of William Windsor, 2nd Baron Windsor by his wife Margaret Sambourne.

Lucy Somerset. Married Henry Herbert, Esquire.

Worcester supported Lady Jane Grey in 1553. He was invested as Knight, Order of the Garter in 1570. William Somerset died at his house Hackney on 21 February 1589 and was buried in the Church of St Cadoc, Raglan, Monmouthshire.

He was a patron of the arts, and sponsored - among others - the eminent Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn.