William Brereton | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1487 - 1490, (or even 1501) |
| Died | 17 May 1536 (aged 48–49) Tower Hill, London |
| Cause of death | Decapitation |
| Resting place | Tower of London, London, United Kingdom 51°30′31″N 0°04′37″W / 51.508611°N 0.076944°W |
| Occupation | Groom of the Privy Chamber to Henry VIII |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Somerset (Lady Savage) |
| Children | Henry Thomas |
| Parent(s) | Sir Randle Brereton Eleanor Dutton |
William Brereton, c. 1487/1490 – 17 May 1536, was a member of a prominent Cheshire family who served as a courtier to Henry VIII. In May 1536, Brereton was accused of committing adultery with Anne Boleyn, the king's second wife, and executed for treason along with her brother George Boleyn, Henry Norris, Francis Weston and a musician, Mark Smeaton. Many historians are now of the opinion that Anne Boleyn, Brereton and their co-accused were innocent.[1]