Biography. 3
Borlase was groomed to succeed his father as the head of the family in Buckinghamshire. In 1607, on leaving Magdalen College, and probably as a continuing part of his education, he was licensed to travel abroad for three years with his friends, William Lytton and John Dunstan. They passed through Rouen but were forced to turn back at La Rochelle, having run out of money. In December 1608 John Chamberlain, a close friend of Borlase's father, informed Dudley Carleton that the travellers were 'at pawn' in Blois and that he, Sir William, and Rowland Lytton, were meeting in London to discuss how to get them home again. Eventually, it was decided they should travel via Paris and the Low Countries. They were expected back in England in March 1609.
In keeping with his family's wealth and status, Borlase married well, into the prestigious Wiltshire Popham family. He also followed his father into Parliament as soon as he was of age, although he made no impression on the parliamentary record after he was elected at Chipping Wycombe in 1614. In the same Parliament his father sat for Buckinghamshire. Borlase did not serve again until 1628, when, for the second time, he secured a seat at Wycombe. One of the journals of the 1628 Parliament, consisting of a compilation of diary entries, copied speeches and separates, now BL Stowe ms 366, bears Borlase's name on the title page. The evidence of Borlase's authorship is not conclusive, but he is the most likely author/compiler. The manuscript comprises an often witty and revealing account of debates in the Commons, and seems to have been composed by someone intimate with Buckinghamshire affairs. It was perhaps intended to keep Borlase's father informed of proceedings, as well as to aid Borlase's own memory of the Parliament. It would have been natural for him to draft such a record, as he was bought up in the Knebworth literary circle in which his father played a leading role. No parliamentary activity is attributed to Borlase, in either his own or any of the other records of the Parliament.
Borlase did not long survive to enjoy his inheritance after his father's death in late 1629. He died on 15 Dec. 1630 and was buried the following day at the feet of his father in Little Marlow church. His will, dated 16 Oct. 1629, does not specify his landholdings as these had been settled in trust upon his three sons in 1627, but his estate probably included at least ten manors. His widow received a life interest in their residence at Little Marlow as well as the use of the park which Borlase had constructed there; she later married the courtier Gabriel Hippisley. The wardship of Borlase's eldest son, John, was purchased by his relatives, Sir John Backhouse and John Popham. John Borlase was elected to both the Short and Long Parliaments of 1640, and was created a baronet in 1642; his younger brother, William, sat for Great Marlow after the Restoration.
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Abstract of the Will of Sir William Burlase of Little Marlow in the County of Bucks, Knight, written 16 Oct 1629, proved 9 Feb 1630/1. 4
Desires that his body be interred in Little Marlow church at the feet of his father.
Refers to a number of indentures, dated 21 & 22 Jan 1627/8 made by his father and himself of the first part, his cousin Sir John Backhouse, Knight of the Bath, Thomas Lane of Hugenden in co. Bucks, Esq. and Richard Ashbye of Stratton Awdley in co. Oxon, Esq. of the second part, and his cousin William Tippinge of Dracott in co. Oxon, Esq. & friend Thomas Style of Missendon in co. Bucks, Gent. of the third part; in which they have settled all manors, messuages, lands, tenements & hereditaments in the counties of Oxon and Bucks for the use of his three sons John, William and Henry Borlase, and his two daughters Anne and Mary Borlase.
Gives £10 each to his said trustees.
Gives his plate, household stuff and books in both his house in Little Marlow and that of Bockmore to his son and heir John Borlase.
Gives his wife the use of his plate and household stuff at Little Marlow during her life, except a silver basin and ewer which he gives to his son William Borlase, and a silver basin and ewer which he gives to his son Henry Borlase.
Gives to his son Henry Borlase his lease of the manor of Westgate Court in co. Kent with its adjoining mills, which he holds of the Archbishop of Canterbury, his trustees receiving the profits and paying the yearly rent to the archbishop until his son Henry Borlase turns twenty-two.
Gives £20 each to his daughters Anne Borlase and Mary Borlase, to buy themselves jewells in remembrance of him.
Gives £100 to his son John Borlase to buy himself a wedding ring.
Gives £30 each to his younger sons William Borlase and Henry Borlase to buy themselves a gelding.
Gives £30 to his cousin Sir John Borlase, Knight, to buy himself a pair of silver flagons.
Gives to his brother-in-law Mr. John Popham the best horse in his stable, and £10 for a saddle.
Gives £20 to his old friend Mrs. Jane Woodward as a remembrance of him, and £10 to her grandson William Ashby, his godson.
Gives £10 each to his servants Thomas Brookes and John Cocker.
Gives £5 to nurse Tanner.
Gives £10 to Mr. Gregory, Minister of Little Marlow.
Gives £5 to Mr. Barnard of Medmenham.
Gives £5 to the poor of Little Marlow.
Gives £5 to the poor of Great Marlow.
Gives £5 to the poor of Great Wickcomb.
Gives 40 shillings to the poor of Medmenham.
Appoints his wife Lady Amy Borlase sole executrix of his last will and testament.
Gives his lease of the Parsonage of Lutgarshall to his son and heir John Borlase.
Gives £6 each to his servants William Turner and Joseph Lane.
Gives to his servant Elizeus Hathaway a dwelling house &c. in Little Marlow.
Witnesses: Theodore Deodath, Doctor of Phisick, Joel Barnard, Hierome Gregorie, William Turner, Elizeus Hathaway, Richard Chemill.
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The Inquisition taken at Chipping Wycombe 18th January, 9 Charles I, states that Sir William Borlase died possessed of the manor of Lurgessall, with the advowson of the church, and their appurtenances, together with some woods in the same parish, called Carwell hills, the manor of Little Marlow, the manor of Stratton Audley, valued at £15, with Court Leet and Court Baron, held of the king by fealty, together with a messuage called Bixfarme, two cottages, &c. in Bixlebrone, sixty-four acres of land, &c., and that John, his eldest son and heir, was of the age of 5 years and upwards. (Cole's Esch. vol. iii. p. 2). His testament in the Prerogative Office contains sundry donations of cottages, &c. in Stratton, for life, to his servants (Reg. Nevill, f. 6). 5
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