Sir William, an eminent English antiquary and historian, was born at Shustoke, near Coleshill, in Warwickshire, in 1605. He was introduced into the herald's office by Sir Christopher Hatton, and ascended gradually through all the degrees, until he became garter principal king at arms. His chief work is the Monasticon Anglicanum, in 3 vols. folio, containing the charters and descriptions of all the English monasteries, adorned with engravings; a work in which he was assisted by Mr Roger Dodsworth. Nor are his antiquities of Warwickshire less esteemed. He wrote likewise, the History of St Paul's Cathedral, London, 1658, folio; a History of Embanking and Draining, London, 1662, 1675, 1676, folio; a Baronage of England; and he completed the second volume of Sir Henry's Spelman's Councils, with a second part of his Glossary. He died on the 10th February 1686, in the eighty-first year of his age. His son, Sir John, was norroy king-at-arms, and published a Catalogue of the English nobility. His daughter Elizabeth was married to Elias Ashmole.