Feilding, William, 1st Earl of Denbigh (1582 -1643)

William Feilding was the son of Basil Feilding of Newnham Paddox in Warwickshire. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and knighted on 4 March 1607. He married Susan Villiers, daughter of Sir George Villiers, and sister of the future Duke of Buckingham. Through his influence he became Deputy Master, and afterwards Master of the Great Wardrobe, and was created Baron Feilding in 1620, and Earl of Denbigh in 1622. In the Expedition of Cadiz in 1625 he acted as Rear Admiral, although he had no experience of military or naval affairs, and in 1628 was in command of the fleet sent to the relief of La Rochelle, but he did not even attempt to raise the blockade. About the same time he was appointed a member of the Permanent Council of War, and was a member of the Council of Wales. He went to India out of curiosity. On the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a member of Prince Rupert’s regiment, despite his advanced age, and fell at Prince Rupert’s action at Birmingham in 1643. He was succeeded by his son Basil.