Roger Townshend (died 1590)

Sir Roger Townshend Kt
St Giles Cripplegate, where Sir Roger Townshend was buried
Born	c.1544
Died	30 June 1590 (aged 45–46) Stoke Newington
Occupation	Soldier, Knight, Politician
Spouse(s)	Ursula Heydon Jane Stanhope
Children	Sir John Townshend (died 1603) Sir Robert Townshend
Parent(s)	Sir Richard Townshend (died 1551), Katherine Browne

Sir Roger Townshend Kt (c.1544 – 30 June 1590) was an English nobleman, politician, soldier, and knight. He was the son of Sir Richard Townshend (died 1551) and Katherine Browne. He spent much of his career in the service of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, and Norfolk's son and heir, Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel. He was knighted at sea on 26 July 1588 during the battle against the Spanish Armada.

Roger Townshend was the eldest son of Sir Richard Townshend (died 1551), esquire, of Brampton, Norfolk, and Katherine Browne, the daughter and coheir of Sir Humphrey Browne of Ridley Hall in Terling, Essex, Justice of the Common Pleas. He was the grandson of Sir John Townshend (d.1543/4) by his wife, Eleanor Heydon, daughter of the courtier Sir John Heydon of Baconsthorpe Castle, Norfolk. He was the great-grandson and heir of Sir Roger Townshend (died 1551) and his wife, Amy Brewse (d. 1553).

Townshend is said to have had two sisters, Alice Townshend (living 31 July 1551), and Elizabeth Townshend, who married Thomas Godsalve (d. 2 August 1588) of Buckenham Ferry, Norfolk.

After Richard Townshend's death in 1551, his widow, Katherine, married Peter Sainthill (d. 19 November 1571), whom she predeceased.

In 1551, when only six or seven years of age, Townshend was heir to his great-grandfather, Sir Roger Townshend (died 1551). His inheritance comprised more than twenty manors near Raynham, Norfolk, and other property, 'making him one of the wealthiest gentlemen in East Anglia'.

In 1553 Townshend entered Trinity College, Cambridge, but did not take a degree. In May 1565 he was granted livery of his lands, although still underage.