Born about 1590 at Clist St. Mary, Devon.
See the International Genealogical Index at http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp
He married Mary, daughter of Sir Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford, Gloucester.
They had 5 children:
- John Fraunceis, born about 1542, who became Esquire of Combe Florey on his father's death
- Humphrey Fraunceis, born about 1547, who died childless
- Nicholas, born about 1548, who died childless
- Elizabeth, born about 1543, who married Richard Bonvile
- Mary, born about 1545, who married Richard Fitzjames
Sir William was killed at Honiton Clist in 1549, in a gallant charge against rebels in the reign of King Edward VI (1546 - 1553).
"Sir William Fraunceis of Fraunceis Court in the parish of Broad Clist (anciently called Killerington or Killerton), was slain by rebels in an engagement at St Mary Clist." - See British History Online at http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50572
The Battle of Clyst St Mary occurred during the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion of Catholic supporters following the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer during the English Reformation.