Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Meyrick, William
MEYRICK or MERICKE, Sir WILLIAM (d. 1668), civilian, son of Maurice Meyrick [see under Meyrick, John, bishop of Sodor and Man] of Bodeon, Anglesey, by Jane, daughter of Lewis Evans, was admitted scholar of Winchester College in 1608, scholar of New College, Oxford, on 16 July 1614, and fellow on 16 July 1616; he graduated B.C.L. on 18 April 1621, D.C.L. on 30 June 1627. He resigned his fellowship in 1626, and was admitted a member of the College of Advocates on 2 Feb. 1627–8, and practised before the court of high commission. On 28 Sept. 1641 he succeeded Sir Henry Martin [q. v.] as judge of the prerogative court of Canterbury. In 1643 he joined the king at Oxford, whence on 8 May he issued a notice revoking the powers of his deputies at Canterbury. Sir Nathaniel Brent [q. v.] was appointed to succeed him on 10 Jan. 1647–8. At the Restoration Meyrick was reinstated in the prerogative court, and on 8 Nov. 1661 was knighted at Whitehall. He died on 3 Feb. 1667–8, and was succeeded by Sir Leoline Jenkins [q. v.]
[Le Neve's Pedigrees of Knights (Harl. Soc.), p. 146; Reg. Univ. Oxon., ed. Clark, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 334, pt. iii. p. 403; Wood's Fasti (Bliss), i. 397, 432; Coote's Catalogue of English Civilians; Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1634–5 et seq., 1661–2, p. 110; Hist. of the Troubles of William Laud, c. xi; Lords' Journ. iv. 406 a, 409 a, vi. 51, ix. 648; Evelyn's Diary, 31 Aug. 1663; Wynne's Life of Sir Leoline Jenkins, p. xvii; Haydn's Book of Dignities, ed. Ockerby; Hist. MSS. Comm. 9th Rep. App. ii.; information kindly supplied by the Warden of New College.]