Henry Colley (died 1584)
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Sir Henry Colley, or Cowley (died 1584) was an Irish soldier and landowner of the Elizabethan era. He is chiefly remembered today as an ancestor of the 1st Duke of Wellington.
Little is known of Colley's early years, except that he was the son of Walter Cowley (c. 1489-1558), Principal Solicitor for Ireland. Walter was the son of Robert Cowley (c. 1470-aft.1562), Master of the Rolls in Ireland. Records and monuments in Glaston, Rutland provide evidence that the Colley/Cowley family were Lords of the Manor of Glaston from about the year 1480 by John Coly born abt. 1460 & 1st Lord Colley of Glaston. Robert and his son, Walter Colley/Cowley, left Glaston for Ireland circa 1512 in the time of Henry VII.[1]
Both Robert and Walter rose to positions of eminence through the patronage of Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell's downfall was disastrous for the Colleys/Cowleys, who were generally unpopular and mistrusted: both Robert and Walter were removed from office and imprisoned for a time in England.[2]
Walter was born c. 1489 in Glaston. His father in his last years was restored to royal favour and appointed Surveyor-General for Ireland. He presumably left to his son a comfortable inheritance when he died in 1558. Henry was able to take a lease of Carbury Castle, County Kildare on 3 September 1538 for 31 years, and was later granted the Manor of Carbury Castle, on 4 September 1569, by Queen Elizabeth.[3]
