Bury, Sir William – a Colonel in Cromwell’s Army

Sir William Bury (1605–1669)

Sir William Bury (‘Berry’ on some documents) fought for the Parliamentary causes during the English Civil War and was a colonel in the Cromwell’s New Model Army during Interregnum Commonwealth government offices.

He was only son of William Bury, of the Friars, in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and Emma, his wife, the youngest daughter of John Dryden, of Canons Ashby, and Elizabeth (née Cope).

He was baptised at Grantham on 3 June 1605.

While he was still a student), Bury married Jane daughter of Sir William Plomer, of Radwell, Hertfordshire, and Hill, Bedfordshire in 1629. They had two sons and three daughters.

Bury entered at Gray’s Inn in 1631. He was found guilty of High Treason for taking up arms against King Charles I, in 1643.

Bury was returned Member of Parliament for Grantham in First Protectorate Parliament (called in 1654), and the same year was appointed a colonel in the New Model Army.

He married, again around 1650, to Jane, daughter of George Ellis, of Witham-on-the-Hill, Lincolnshire, who survived him. They had two sons.

In 1655 he was appointed to the Trade Committee, and the following year was appointed a Commissioner for Ireland. While in Ireland he was knighted at Dublin Castle by Henry Cromwell on 21 July 1658. (this honour passed into oblivion with the Restoration in May 1660).

In January 1661 (after the Restoration), he was knighted at the hands of Sir Maurice Eustace, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Roger, Earl of Orrery, and Charles, Earl of Mountrath, Lords Justices.

Sir William chiefly lived at Cistersia Place (also known as the Friars), in Grantham, until sent to Ireland, and on his return took up his abode at Linwood Grange, in Blankney. It was there he died and he was buried in Blankney Church on 20 July 1669.