William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester

The Earl of Worcester
William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester in his suit of Greenwich armor
Born	c.1526
Died	21 February 1589 Hackney
Resting place	Church of St Cadoc, Raglan, Monmouthshire
Title	3rd Earl of Worcester
Tenure	1549–1589
Nationality	English
Successor	Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester
Spouse(s)	Christiana North
Issue	Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester Elizabeth Somerset Lucy Somerset
Parents	Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester Elizabeth Somerset, Countess of Worcester (d. 1565)

William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, KG (c. 1526/7 – 21 February 1589) was the eldest son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and his second wife Elizabeth Browne.

On 26 November 1549, he succeeded his father and became the 3rd Earl of Worcester. Before 19 May 1550, Worcester married Christiana North. She was a daughter of Edward North, 1st Baron North and his wife Alice Squire. They were parents to three children:

Worcester supported Lady Jane Grey in 1553. He was invested as Knight, Order of the Garter (K.G.) in 1570. William Somerset died at his house Hackney on 21 February 1589 and was buried in the Church of St Cadoc, Raglan, Monmouthshire.

He was a patron of the arts, and sponsored - among others - the eminent Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn.