Richard Grenville (died 1550)

Early life

Richard Grenville was the son of Sir Roger Grenville (d. 1523) of Stowe, Cornwall and his wife Margaret Whitleigh. His forebears had held land in Cornwall since the 12th century. The family seat of Stowe is closer to Bideford in Devon than any significant town in Cornwall, so the family had strong links with Devon, hence Richard's positions in both Cornwall and Devon.

One of his sisters, Amye, married John Drake of Musbury, Devon.

Career

Early in his career Richard Grenville had some minor posts in the royal household. On the death of his father in 1523 he completed his father's term as Sheriff of Cornwall, a post he also held in 1526-7, 1544-5. In between he was Sheriff of Devon in 1532-3. He was Justice of the Peace for Cornwall from 1524 till his death and also in Devon, at Exeter from 1535 to 1547.

Further afield he was Marshal of Calais, a post that required his residence there, from October 1535 to October 1540. In 1544 Grenville accompanied the King to France as a commander in the English army.

He was active in his Christian faith and openly favoured ‘God’s word’.

In the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 Grenville was called upon against the western rebels, and with a company of friends and followers he defended Trematon Castle. When they were unsuccessful in defending the castle, he and his wife were held in custody in Launceston prison. Grenville contracted the illness probably while in gaol and died from it on 18 March 1550. He was buried at Kilkhampton five days later.

Marriage and family

Richard Grenville married Matilda Beville, daughter of John Beville of Gwarnick, near Truro, Cornwall.

Their son, Sir Roger Grenville (d.1545), was Captain of the Mary Rose when it sank in Portsmouth Harbour in 1545. Roger was in turn the father of Richard Grenville, naval commander and the captain of the Revenge