William Coupland (also recorded as Cowpland) was one of two Members of the Parliament of England for the constituency of York from the November 1554 session to 1555 .
He was a muremaster[2] who were responsible for collecting taxes for the upkeep of the city walls.
He also was a junior chamberlain (1537–38); tax collector (1540); sheriff (1543–44); alderman (1549 until his death) and Lord mayor (1553-354 and again in 1568-69).
[1] During his first term as Lord mayor, he was noted for taking firm action against trading irregularities.
[1] William died in 1569 and was buried in St Sampson's church next to his first wife.