Francis Norris, 1st Earl of Berkshire

"Francis Norris" redirects here. For the Anglican bishop, see Frank Norris (bishop).

Stained glass portrait said to be of Francis Norris

Francis Norris, 1st Earl of Berkshire (6 July 1579 – 31 January 1622) was an English nobleman with the title of Earl of Berkshire.

He was the son of Captain Sir William Norreys (d.1579) and Elizabeth Morison, daughter of Sir Richard Morrison of Cassiobury, Hertfordshire, and was born at Wytham in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire). He married Bridget de Vere, although they later separated. The marriage gave Norris access to Bridget's uncle Sir Robert Cecil who was at the heart of Elizabethan government. Their only issue was Elizabeth Norris.

He held the titles Baron Norris of Rycote, 1st Viscount Thame and 1st Earl of Berkshire. He was sent to Fleet Prison after attacking Lord Scrope in front of the House of Lords. He shot himself with a crossbow on 29 January 1622 and died two days later on 31 January. His estates and titles became forfeit to the crown. His daughter was later given his baroncy. His illegitimate son Francis was knighted and appointed High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1636.

He was buried at Dorchester, Oxfordshire.

References

• Burns, F.D.A. (2004). "Norris, Francis, earl of Berkshire (1579–1622)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/20269. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
• Lee, Sidney (1895). "Norris, Francis" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 41. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 120–121.