A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices/Blathwayt, William

by John Hutchinson

Layout 2

Admitted 20 February, 1664-5.

Son and heir of William Blathwayt, of the Middle Temple, and of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. In 1668 he was Secretary of the Embassy at the Hague, and in 1683 Secretary-at-War, in which capacity he accompanied James II. in 1688 to Salisbury. He was Clerk to the Privy Council in 1689, at the trial of the Seven Bishops. He was a favourite of William III., whom he attended during his campaign in Flanders. He sometime represented Newtown (Isle of Wight) and Bath in Parliament. Whilst in the House he was the Whig champion against Harley. He retired from public life in 1710, and died at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire, in Aug. 1717.