William Harrington (knight)

Sir William Harrington (Sometimes spelt Harington or Haryngton) of Hornby (born 1373 and died 22 February 1439/1440 in Hornby Castle, Lancashire) was an early fifteenth-century English northern knight, fighting in the Hundred Years' War and serving the crown in the north of England.

He was considered to be one of the most trusted nobles and, as such, was appointed to hold the official office of Standard Bearer of England.

The role of standard-bearer of England was an important office within an army especially when monarchs fought or were present on the battlefield.

His new wife was not initially an heiress, however, through the death of her niece and great-nephew, she became a co-heiress with Sir John Langton of the family estates, and Harrington, jure uxoris, eventually gained Hornby Castle in 1433.

[3] Harrington was sheriff of Yorkshire four times from 1408, and was appointed to various royal offices in the Duchy of Lancaster in Lancashire, including the important position of chief-steward of the north in 1428.