William Nelson (circa 1462–1525) was one of two Members of the

Parliament of England The Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England from the 13th century until 1707 when it was replaced by the Parliament of Great Britain. Parliament evolved from the Great Council of England, great council of Lords Spi ...

for the constituency of York on four consecutive terms between 1504 and 1523.

Life and politics

William was born about 1462 as the second son of Thomas Nelson, a former lord mayor of

York York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...

. He followed his father into being a merchant and became a freeman of the city in 1488. He traded in lead from

Richmondshire {{Infobox settlement , name = Richmondshire District , type = Non-metropolitan district , image_skyline = , imagesize = , image_caption = , image_blank_emblem= Richmondshire arms.png , blank_em ...

and it alleged he was also a money lender. After his father's death, he inherited his properties in Poppleton,

Riccall Riccall is a village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, lying to the north of Selby and south of York. Riccall is noted for being the place where Harold Hardrada's force of invaders landed in 1066, just before the Battle of Stamfor ...

and Sherburn. He added lands near Acaster Malbis in 1503. His property dealings brought him into dispute with Sir John Gillot, who was mayor at the time, in 1503 to the extent he was fined for his threatening behaviour. He held the civic offices of senior chamberlain (1489–90, sheriff (1495–96), alderman (1499–1517) and mayor (1500–01). Though he actually lost the election to parliament in 1515, he was requested by

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

to stand in place of those that had been chosen. His terms in parliament were interrupted by several disturbances and riots in the city which caused him to be sent back. He married Joan Norton and they had at least three sons and 3 daughters. He died in 1525.

References

{{s-end Members of the Parliament of England for constituencies in Yorkshire