George Delves

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

Sir George Delves (born c. 1545, living 1602) was an English knight, military commander, and member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Between the 1 and 3 May 1571, Delves was one of the defenders in a tournament before the Queen at which one of the challengers was the Earl of Oxford. On 24 June, Delves wrote to the Earl of Rutland "There is no man of life and agility in every respect in the Court but the Earl of Oxford".Alan H. Nelson, Monstrous Adversary: the life of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (2003), p. 70

Image: British_School_-_Portrait_of_George_Delves_and_a_Female_Companion_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

In 1578, Delves and Sir William Fitzwilliam were appointed by letters patent as alnagers and collectors of customs duties on the transport of 'New Draperies', a potentially profitable position which was to be held for seven years.Carole Rawcliffe, Richard Wilson, Christine Clark, Norwich since 1550 (2004), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZkXwTyVs2PgC&pg=PA43 p. 43] In the event, they held their patent for a great deal longer, the actual work being done by deputies.Harry Hearder, ed. British government and administration: studies presented to S. B. Chrimes (University of Wales Press, 1974), [https://books.google.com/books?id=mPmHAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Sir+George+Delves%22 p. 126]

Delves married Christian, a daughter of Sir William FitzWilliam, of Northamptonshire, the widow of Sir Richard Wingfield, who had died by June 1559.Arthur Collins, Collins's Peerage of England, vol. 4, [https://books.google.com/books?id=y_8UAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA392 p. 392] He thus became the step-father of Christian's sons Richard, later first Viscount Powerscourt, and John Wingfield.The Irish compendium or rudiments of honour (1756), [https://books.google.com/books?id=nxi2Ua5FVMQC&pg=PA422 p. 422]

On 8 March 1582 or 1583, Delves married secondly Anne Esley, or Isley, of Westminster.Joseph Lemuel Chester, Allegations for marriage licences issued by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, 1558-1699, (Harleian Society, 1886), p. 8: "George Delves, of Westminster, Esq., & Anne Esley, of same, Spinster. 1583 She brought to the marriage an estate at Bredgar, Kent.Karen Hearn, Dynasties: painting in Tudor and Jacobean England, 1530-1630 (1996), p. 106

He was knighted on 4 April 1591 by FitzWilliam, Lord Deputy of Ireland.William A. Shaw, The Knights of England: A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day, p. 88: "1591, 4 Apr.. GEORGE DELVES (dubbed in Ireland on Easter day by the lord deputy)"

In 1602, he was one of the justices for the Quarter Sessions of Kent held at Maidstone.Quarter Sessions at Maidstone, 13 April 1602: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=051-qs_7-5&cid=-1#-1 Q/SR/3/m.4d]