Robert Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer of Wormleighton KG (1570 – 25 October 1627) was an English nobleman, peer, politician, landowner, and MP from the Spencer family.

Life

He was born in Althorp, Northamptonshire, the son of John Spencer and Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Catlyn. Spencer held the office of Member of Parliament for Brackley from 1597 to 1598. He was the Commissioner for Musters for Northamptonshire in 1600 and Sheriff of Northamptonshire for 1601–02. He was invested as a Knight, Order of the Garter in 1601. Anne of Denmark and Prince Henry came to Althorp on Sunday 25 June 1603 from Dingley. Spencer welcomed them with a performance The Entertainment at Althorp, written by Ben Jonson. Robert Spencer was created 1st Baron Spencer of Wormleighton (in the Peerage of England) on 21 July 1603. On 5 August 1607 he was nominated with Sir Ralph Winwood joint representative of England at The Hague in the negotiations for peace between Spain and the United Netherlands.

Family

On 15 February 1587 he married Margaret Willoughby the daughter of Sir Francis Willoughby of Wollaton Hall and Elizabeth Lyttelton. Robert had seven children by Margaret.

Children