William Brokesby

Brokesby was the son of John Brokesby or Brooksby of Shoby, Leicestershire, and wife Agnes Frisby, from whom he inherited the manor of Shoby, Leicestershire, and also the advowson of Saxelby church.[1]

Brokesby served in Henry IV's household as early as 1400 and served as Marshall of the Kings Hall from 7 November 1401 on.[2]

Brokesby accompanied Henry's eldest daughter Princess Blanche to her marriage with Louis III, Count Palatine of the Rhine, at Cologne Cathedral on 6 July 1402, which was arranged to forge an alliance between England and Germany.[2]

Brokesby represented Leicestershire in the Parliament of January 1404, acted as sheriff of the same county later that year and again in 1409.[2]

In 1405 Brokesby mustered men from Leicestershire and led them north to help quash the rebellion of Richard le Scrope, Archbishop of York.[2]

After the death of Henry IV, Brokesby continued service in the Royal Household and was listed as one of the "13 hensemen de Roy" in Henry V's entourage that accompanied him to his victory at Agincourt.[2] His younger brother Bartholomew was also granted half a dozen archers in June 1415, and was presumed to be present, if not in the royal circle.[3]

Brokesby died before 23 February 1416, perhaps due to an injury or sickness picked up in the Agincourt campaign.[2]

Brokesby married Joan Alderwick, daughter of William Alderwick of Aldridge, Staffordshire,[2] and had the following issue:

• Henry Brokesby,[1] son and heir m. Edith Bracebridge of Kingsbury, Warwickshire. Retainer of Joan de Beauchamp, Baroness Bergavenny.
• Emma[1] or Petronella Brokesby[4] m. Sir Thomas Berkeley of Wymondham, Leicestershire

Brokesby's younger brother Bartholomew Brokesby also served repeatedly as M.P. for Leicestershire, and was appointed sheriff of Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1411.[2][5]