Sir William Darcy (c.1460-1540) was a leading Anglo-Irish statesman of the Pale in the early sixteenth century; for many years he held the office of Vice-Treasurer of Ireland. He wrote an influential treatise, The Decay of Ireland, which led to his being called "the father of the movement for political reformation in Ireland". He was a colourful and flamboyant character, whose exceptional height gave rise to his nickname "Great Darcy".

Background and early career