William Brereton, born between 1487 and 1490, was the seventh son of Sir Randle Brereton of Ipstones, Shocklach, and Malpas, Knight Chamberlain of Chester, Knight Banneret and Knight of the body of Henry VII.

In May 1536, William Brereton, the queen's brother, George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford, Henry Norris, Sir Francis Weston and a musician, Mark Smeaton, were all tried and executed for treason and adultery with Anne Boleyn, the King's second wife.

Many historians are now of the opinion that Anne Boleyn, Brereton and their co-accused were innocent.  Brereton's words as he faced the executioner's axe, "The cause whereof I die, judge not. But if you judge, judge the best," may be interpreted as a cautious declaration of his innocence which would avoid the forfeiture of his estates.

An indication of his wife's continued trust in her husband is provided by her bequest to her son 9 years later: "one bracelet of gold, the which was the last token his father sent me."

Name:    Sir William Brereton
Birth Date:    1487
Birth Place:    Cheshire, England
Death Date:    17 May 1536
Death Place:    London, City of London, Greater London, England
Cemetery:    Chapel of Saint Peter-ad-Vincula
Burial or Cremation Place:    London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Greater London, England
Has Bio?:    Y
Father:    Randle Brereton
Mother:    Eleanor Brereton
Spouse:    Elizabeth Brereton
URL:    https://www.findagrave.com/mem...