William Catesby

Sir William Catesby (1450-1485) was a prominent member of the group that supported Richard III of England during his brief reign. He was a member of the Council that ruled during the reign of Edward V, serving as a spy for the Duke of Gloucester (soon to be Richard III). After Richard was enthroned, Catesby served as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and as Speaker of the House of Commons during the Parliament of 1484. He also received a substantial grant of land from the king, enough to make him richer than most knights.

Catesby married Margaret Scrope, daughter of one of the great barons of northern England, John, Lord Scrope of Bolton. (She was also the half-sister of the wife of Sir Richard Ratcliffe.

He fought for Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and was captured and executed after the battle.