Born: Jan 1538, Haines Hillhurst, Parish, Berkshire, England

Buried: 25 Nov 1607, Scrivelsby, Lincolnshire, England

Mother: Margaret Verch GRIFFITH

Married: Frances DYMOKE 20 Aug 1566, Scrivelsby, Lincolnshire, England

Children:

1. Anne WINDEBANK (b. 1567 — d. 8 Jun 1624) (m. Henry Reade)

2. Francis WINDEBANK (Secretary of State) (See his Biography)

3. Thomas WINDEBANK (b. 21 Aug 1582 — d. 5 Nov 1607)

4. Mildred WINDEBANK (b. 21 Jul 1585 — d. 1656) (m. Robert Reade)

© Copyright of David Nash Ford.

Biography reproduced by kind permission of the Royal Berkshire History Website.

Son of Sir Richard Windebank of Hougham, Lincolnshire, and his wife, Margaret, dau. of Griffith ap Henry. He owed his fortunes largely to his Lincolnshire neighbour, Sir William Cecil, who secured his appointment to the fourth stall in Worcester Cathedral in 1569 and sent him, as a travelling companion, to his son, Thomas (afterwards Earl of Exeter). Many of Windebank's letters, describing his vain efforts to keep his charge straight and teach him French, and their travels in France and Germany during 1571 and 1572, are extant in the Public Record Office. He also took every opportunity of sending his patron lemon trees, myrtle trees and tracts on canon and civil law.

After his return, he was made clerk of the signet, and occasionally acted as clerk of the Privy Council. He continued his friendly relations and correspondence with Lord Burghley until the latter's death and, afterwards, with Sir Robert Cecil.

He married Frances, younger daughter of Sir Edward Dymoke of Scrivelsby in Lincolnshire, by whom he left one son, Sir Francis, and three daughters. Of the latter, Mildred (d. 1630) married Robert Reade of Linkenholt near Andover in Hampshire, and was ancestor of President George Washington.

He was knighted by James I on 23 Jul 1603, settled at Haines Hill in St. Nicholas Hurst (Berkshire) and died on 24 Oct 1607.