Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke





Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke KG (c. 1452 – 23 August 1502) was one of the chief commanders against the Cornish rebels for Henry VII in 1497.

Early life
Robert Willoughby was born at Brooke-in-Westbury, Wiltshire, the son of Sir John Willoughby of the family of the Barons Willoughby of Eresby, seated at Eresby Manor near Spilsby, Lincolnshire. His mother was Anne Cheney, 2nd daughter of Sir Edmund Cheyne (d.1430) of Brooke-in-Westbury, by Alice Stafford, daughter of Sir Humphrey Stafford II of Hooke, and aunt to Humphrey Stafford, 1st Earl of Devon(d.1469). Edmund Cheyne was the eldest son of Sir Ralph Cheyne (c. 1337–1400) of Poyntington, Somerset, by Joan Pavely, daughter & co-heiress of Sir John Pavely of Brooke/Broke manor, Heywood, near Westbury, Wiltshire.

Public life
He was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1479 and High Sheriff of Devon in 1480. He was Lord of the Manor of Callington and steward of the Duchy of Cornwall.

The barony of Willoughby de Broke, named after the manor of Brooke/Broke, Heywood, near Westbury, Wiltshire, was created when Robert Willoughby was summoned to Parliament by writ in 1492. On his death on 23 August 1502 the title passed to his eldest son Robert Willoughby, 2nd Baron Willoughby de Broke.

He died at the manor house of Callington, for he directed in his will that he should be buried in the church of the parish he died in.

Family life
He married in 1472 Blanche (or Joan ) Champernowne, daughter and heiress of John Champernowne of Bere Ferrers, Devon, by Elizabeth Bigbury. John was the son of Alexander Champernowne of Modbury and Joan Ferrers, da. of Martyn Ferrers of Bere Ferrers. He thus acquired the manors of Callington, Cornwall and Bere Ferrers amongst others.

He had four children with Blanche:
 * Robert Willoughby, 2nd Baron Willoughby de Broke(d.1521). Died sine prole, when the title became abeyant. Buried at Bere Ferrers.
 * Elizabeth, who married firstly John Dynham, 1st Baron Dynham, and secondly William FitzAlan, 18th Earl of Arundel.
 * John (died young)
 * Anthony (died young)