Christopher Willoughby, born in 1453, was the second son of Sir Robert Willoughby (d. 30 May 1465) of Parham, Suffolk, and Cecily Welles, the daughter of Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles (d.
After the death of Joan Waterton, Lionel Welles married Margaret Beauchamp (c.1410 - c. 3 June 1482), widow successively of Sir Oliver St John (c.1398 - 1437) and John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset (d.