Willoughby, Francis, Sir (1547 -1596)

Sir Francis Willoughby, of Wollaton in Nottinghamshire, was the son of Henry Willoughby, of Wollaton, and Anna, daughter of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Littleton, and rebuilt Wollaton Hall during the years 1580 1588. They had six daughters, the eldest of whom, Bridget, married Sir Percival Willoughby of the Eresby family. Wollaton Hall passed through her to the family of Willoughby of Eresby, with a large part of Sir Thomas's other estates. Her younger great grandson, Sir Thomas Willoughby, was created Baron Middleton, of Middleton in Warwickshire 1 January 1712.