William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer of Wormleighton

Spencer was the second son of Robert Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer of Wormleighton, and his wife, Margaret Willoughby, and was baptised on 4 January 1591 at Brington, Northamptonshire.[1] He matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford with his elder brother John in October 1607.[2] In the autumn of 1610 he traveled to France with his brother.[3] On John's death at Blois in 1612, he became the heir to the barony.[1] He became a Member of Parliament for Brackley in 1614, but left no trace in the records. As the member for Northamptonshire (1620–1622 & 1624–1627) he was an active participant in parliamentary sessions.[3] From 6 May 1618 to 1621, Spencer held the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.[3] On 25 October 1627, he succeeded his father as 2nd Baron Spencer of Wormleighton.[3]

Spencer married Lady Penelope Wriothesley, daughter of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton and Elizabeth Vernon in 1615. The couple had a number of children, including:

• Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland[1]
• Robert Spencer, 1st Viscount Teviot[1]
• William (1630-88) married Elizabeth Gerard, daughter of Dutton, lord Gerard of Gerard's Bromley.[1]
• Elizabeth married John Craven, 1st Baron Craven of Ryton[1]
• Anne married Sir Robert Townshend, gentleman of the privy chamber to [[Charles II][4]
• Margaret married Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury[1]
• Alice, married Henry Moore, 1st Earl of Drogheda[1]

He died on 19 December 1636, aged 44.[1]