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For other people named Henry Bedingfeld, see Henry Bedingfeld (disambiguation).
Sir Henry Bedingfeld (1506–1583), at the age of 67 in 1573

Sir Henry Bedingfeld (1506[1]–1583[2]), of Oxburgh Hall, King's Lynn, Norfolk, was the eldest son of Edmund Bedingfeld (1479/80–1553) and his wife, Grace (d. in or after 1553), the daughter of Henry Marney, 1st Baron Marney.[3]

Marriage

Bedingfeld married Katherine (d.1581[2]), the daughter of Sir Roger Townshend of Raynham, Norfolk[3] and Amy Brewes, daughter and co-heiress of William de Brewse, of Wenham Hall, Suffolk, and Stinton Hall in Norfolk.[4]

Education

In 1528, he was admitted to Lincoln's Inn.[5]

Career

Bedingfeld held various posts, including, privy councillor[3] to King Edward VI and Queen Mary I; knight of the shire for Norfolk; Constable of the Tower of London;[3] 1555 Lieutenant of the Tower of London and captain of the guard; 1557 vice-chamberlain of the household of Mary I.[5]

After the death of King Edward VI, in 1553, Sir Henry Bedingfeld, and Sir Henry Jerningham (grandfather of the 1st Baronet Jerningham) were the two most instrumental supporters with placing Mary Tudor on the throne; arriving at her aid with 140 well-armed men.[6]

After this event, "Bedingfeld proclaimed the queen at Norwich, he was afterwards rewarded for his loyalty with an annual pension of 100 pounds out of the forfeited estates of Sir Thomas Wyatt; made a Privy Councillor by Mary I and Knight Marshal of her army, and, subsequently Lieutenant of the Tower of London."[6]

While he held the post of Constable of the tower of London, he was employed in the same capacity as his father had been with Katherine of Aragon,[7] and was entrusted with the care of Queen Elizabeth I, at Woodstock Palace.[5] Bedingfeld's care of Elizabeth I during this period, has been the subject of controversy.[8] After Elizabeth's accession to the throne in 1559, she would address Sir Henry Bedingfeld at court as "Her Gaoler", however, the following sheds a flood of light, on the truth of this matter, that suggests that this term was in all probability, applied loosely, and in good spirit. Further to this, The contemporaneous evidence that has been published by the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society suggests that conduct of Elizabeth's 'Jaioler' was more in alignment with that of a true gentleman.[9][10][11]

Moreover: "Following Wyatts rebellion, Mary I appointed Sir Henry Bedingfeld custodian of Elizabeth, when that princess was confined in the Tower and at Woodstock, on suspicion of being concerned in Wyatt's rebellion; and so little did Elizabeth resent his severity during the time of her imprisonment, that after her accession, she addressed him as her "trusty and well-beloved," employed him in her service, and granted to him the manor of Caldecot in Norfolk, which still forms part of the Oxburgh estate at the present day."[6]

"He was undoubtedly one of the foremost Englishmen of his day, respected by two sovereigns, and occupying prominent and honourable positions, his loyalty being unimpeachable; yet Foxe, the martyrologist, with his wonted dishonesty, has without the slightest foundation, and so effectually, blackened his fame, that almost every subsequent writer on this period has reproduced the calumnies set forth with malice prepense in the Acts and Monuments. John Strype was the first unquestioning copyist of Foxe; Burnet was the second; and Sir Reginald Hennell is the most recent."[6]

Sir Henry Bedingfeld's reputation suffered from the proliferation of misconceptions concerning his care of Queen Elizabeth I.[11]

Bedingfeld's friend and fellow Privy Councillor was Sir Henry Jerningham, and together they shared a mutual friendship with another fellow privy counsellor and secretary of State during the reign of Mary I, Sir John Bourne.

The Bedingfelds were also closely connected to the ancient family of Beaupre, of Beaupre Hall Outwell/Upwell, Norfolk.

Portraits

His portrait was as Oxburgh Hall, where it was described in the following manner:

Body full, face turned very slightly towards the sinister, grey eyes full, long nose, light brown hair, round beard and moustache turning grey, soft black cap right down on the head. Dress : Black doublet, high shoulders to it, and high black collar, very wide behind, small white frill all round the face ; the right hand is forward clenched, probably holding gloves, frill round the wrist, a ring with “ An eagle displayed ” thereon, being on the third finger of the hand. S. Inscribed : “ Anno D. 1573 ætatis suæ 68.” “ Sir Henry Bedingfeld Governor of the Tower.”[3]

An engraving is in the National Portrait Gallery.[12] A miniature, oil on ivory, dated c.1700–1799, is today at Oxburgh Hall, which now belongs to the National Trust. The miniature was previously in the ownership of the Conyngham family, Marquesses Conyngham, at Slane Castle, County Meath, Ireland.[13]

Elizabeth I's Royal Progress in Norfolk in 1578

According to Francis Blomefield, Rector of Fersfield in Norfolk Elizabeth I visited him on her progress in Norfolk in 1578:

Sir Henry Bedingfeld was one of those gentlemen that appeared in arms at Framlingham in Suffolk, in defence of Queen Mary, and her title to the crown, and brought with him 140 men completely armed.[14] This gentleman had the care and charge of the Lady Elizabeth for some time, and stands charged by Mr. Fox with severity towards her; but the royal visit which she either did, or designed to pay him, in her Progress into Norfolk, shows as if it was not as that author represents it. It being unlikely she would then have designed him such an honour. That the Queen was wont to call him her Jaylor, may be true, but that seems to have rather been a term of royal familiarity, than contempt; for had it been the latter, he would scarce have been so much at court as it appears he usually was.[14]

Elizabeth's Stay at Woodstock in 1554–5

Perhaps the best account of Princess Elizabeth's stay with Sir Henry Bedingfield is given by Katherine Bedingfield in the book The Bedingfields of Oxburgh, published privately in 1912. This seems to be the Katherine (1861–1939) who married Raoul Bisshopp Bedingfield (1835–1910). This account neither dismisses Elizabeth's terror and well-founded fears at these events, nor unnecessarily villifies.

Katherine Bedingfield writes: The following letter relates to the Princess and her arrival at the Tower.[15]

"To the right worshipfull Sir Henry Bedingfeld Knt., give these, Written in haste. My dutye remembered these shal be to advyse you that on friday my lady Elisabeth was sent to the tower at 10 of the cloke, the Parliament shal be holden at Westminster the daye afore assured and the Quene is in good helthe, thanks be to God, who preserve you in much worshipe thys good fryday, rydyng by the way, by yours to commande, Thomas Walters."[15]

Sir Henry is described by his historians as a stern Norfolk knight, "in whose courage and probity" the Queen knew she could confide. The Princess was for some time in his custody, and in after years, when Queen, used to playfully call him her gaoler. However, when she first saw Sir Henry, and the hundred men-at-arms, with their blue coats, under his command, enter the inner court of the Tower, she asked in terror "if the Lady Jane's scaffold was removed." The Lieutenant of the Tower endeavoured to calm her by saying there was no cause for alarm, but his orders were to consign her into the charge of Sir Henry Bedingfeld, to be conveyed to Woodstock. "Elizabeth, not knowing what manner of man Bedingfeld was, inquired whether he made conscience of murder, if such an order were entrusted to him."[15]

The 19th of May she was removed from the Tower, first by barge at the Tower Wharf, and so to Richmond, where she had an interview with the Queen. The next day she crossed the river at Richmond, to proceed on her journey to Woodstock. The letters and State documents relating to this journey throw further light upon it. Sir Henry's note on the affair was as follows: "A memoriall off all letters, warrants, etc., whyche I have to shewe concerning the s'vice aboute my lady Elizabeth's grace, whereunto I was commanded by the Queue's highnes, which s'vice began the 8th off May 1554 — fyrst yere off hyr moste noble reign."[15]

Anthony, Humphrey, and Edmund, brothers of Sir Henry, appear to have formed part of the guard brought by him to the Towner. In Sir Henry's report to the Queen of the journey from the Tower of London to Woodstock, he noted that the people between London and Windsor were not "hoole on matters of Religion" ... that "theye be fullye fyxed to stonde to the late abolyshyng off the byshopp off Romez aucthorite, as heretofore agaynste the order of all charite hath been establyshed by statute lawe within thys Realme."[15]

The letter goes on to say that "My Ladye Elisabeth's grace" had not "been verye well at ease," and yet she wanted to go out walking. "In the whyche and other lyke hyr requests I am mervolouslye pplexed to graunte hyr desyer or to saye naye."[15]

Then came "a remembrance off the journeye made by my Ladye Elizabeth's grace from Wyndsore to Syr Wyllm Dormer's house at West Wyckhm the xxth off maye 1 marie regine. Ffyrst when hyr grace cam to the castell gate to take hyr lytter, there stoode off Master Norrey's svnts xvj, in tawneye coots, to receyve hyr oute, at whyche place there weere sum people to behold hyr. . . . Itm, hyr grace passed the towne off Wyndsore wth moche gasyng off people unto Eton Colledge, where was used the like, as well by the scollers as others; the lyke in villages and ffeldes unto Wycombe, where most gasyng was used, and the wyves had p.pared cake and wafers wch at hir passing bye them, thei delyvered into the lytter. She receyved yt wth thanks untyll by the quantitee she was accombred and wth the herbes delyvered in with the wafers trobled as she sayde, and desyred the people to cease."[15]

At West Wycombe, Sir William Dormer and 17 servants in "blewe coats" awaited her, half-a-mile from his house, with Lady Dormer and her daughter-in-law. At Woburn Sir Henry began talking with a "husbande man," and found him "a verye protestunte,'' and thought there were many about there of "the same opinion."[15]

From the Dormers' house the Princess and suite went on to Lord Williams and thence to Woodstock. When the party arrived at this place Queen Mary sent instructions to "her trustie and right well beloved counsellor Sir Henry Bedingfeld knyght." She had reason to believe that Elizabeth was implicated in some conspiracy against her, and she wrote that in the face of so much evidence it was difficult to believe that her sister was guiltless of the charges brought. Sir Henry was admonished to continue his "accustomed diligence in the charge by us comitted to yow."[15]

Then followed a report that "my ladye Elizabeth's grace ys daylye vexed with the swellyng in the face and other parts off hir bodye," and Sir Henry deputed Edmund his brother to declare the same to "my lorde Chamberlayne" and to ask for a doctor. "Doctour Owen" wrote directions to Sir Henry on the subject, and apparently thought it was not the "tyme off the yere to minster purgacions owing to the distemperaunce of the weather."[15]

Then came a long letter to the Council relating various conversations between Sir Henry and the Princess, to which is added the following, "My lords it hath come to my knowledge by dyvse creditable and wrshipfull psons, that the remayneng off Cranmer, Rydleye, and Latimer, at Oxforde, in such sort as theye dooe, hath done nooe smal hurte In theys parts, even amonge thoose that were knowne to be goode afore."[15]

The Queen's next letter to him affords proof of her thoughtfulness for others.[15]

"The Queene's letter unto me."[15]

"Mary ye Quene. By ye Quene.[15]

"Trustye and right well beloved, we gret you well, and wheare we understande yt by occasion of certyn our instructions Latelye gyvene unto you, ye doe continuallye make your personall abode within that our howse of Woodstock without removing from thence, at anye time, which thing might p'adventure in continuance be both som daunger to your helth, and be occasion also yt ye shall not be so well able to understande the state of the countreye theare abowts, as other wyse ye might. We let you wit yt, in consideracon thereof we are pleased ye maye at anye tyme when yourself shall thinke convenyant, make your repayre from owt of our sayed bowse, leaving one of your brethren to loke to yor charge, and se to the good goverunce of that howse in yor absence. So as nevertheless ye returne back ageyne yor self at night, for the batter loking to yor sayed charge. And for yor better ease and recreacon we are in lyke manner pleased yt ye and yor brethren maye at yor libertyes halk for yor pastyme at the partrige, or hunt the hare, wthin that our maner of Woodstock or anye of our grounds adioynyng to the same, ffrom tyme to tyme, when ye shall thynke moste convenient; and that also ye maye yf ye shall so thinke good, cause yor wwf to be sent for, and to remayne theare wth you as long as yor self shall thinke meete. Geven under or signet, at or castle of Fernham ye — Julye, ye seconde yere of or Reigne."[15]

Soon after Sir Henry wrote that if "this great Ladye shall remayne in this howse, there must be repacons done bothe to the covering of the house in lead and slate, and especially in glass and casemonds, or elles neyther she nor anye yt attendethe uppon hir shal be able to abyde for coulde."[15]

At length Sir Henry wrote to the Bishop of Ely, asking to be released from his post, as he had been for 15 weeks "in care off mynde and some travell of bodye." He asks the Bishop to remind the Lord Chancellor (Bishop Gardiner) how at the latter's earnest request he had accepted the said post, in a talk they had, "uppon the caulseye (causeway) betwexte the house off saynete Jamys and Charyng Crosse." He further mentions he had asked for his Lordship's house at the "black friers" in London, but heard it was disposed of, therefore he asks for the one at "holbourn," as he has no house "off refuge in London, butte the comon Inne, and woulde be gladde to gyve large monye to be avoyded off that inconvenience."[15]

Later, he is pleased to report to the Council that the Lady Elizabeth, after "hir confession in Catholyke fourme dydde receyve the most comfortable Sacramente," and before receiving she declared to Sir Henry "that she had never plotted against the Queene."[15]

The Council replied that the Queen took great pleasure in the news that the Lady Elizabeth "doth so well conforme hirself in the receyvyng off the most blessed Sacramente off the altar." In a letter to the Queen Sir Henry gives some information as to Elizabeth using the reformed prayer book, etc., and refers to Mary's recent marriage, concluding with a reference to the hope of an heir to the throne, which would be a joy to all true Englishmen, "that wee maye as holye Simeon dydde for the byrth of Chryste, prayse Godde for the same." There seemed some difficulty in getting Elizabeth to give up the reformed prayer book, and she mentioned in reply to Sir Henry's remonstrance that it had been used in "the king my father his dayes."[15]

Sir Henry had his doubts about her orthodoxy, and also of that of the ladies with her, and recommended that some "lerned men" should "preche and talke with them in the matter of there religion." He again asked to be released from his unwelcome task at Woodstock, but no answer came. The Princess asked for and obtained through Sir Henry's intervention a doctor and surgeon, and was bled in the arm and foot. She also requested to be moved nearer London, as there was great difficulty in conveying provisions to Woodstock during the winter.[15]

At length came a letter from the Queen ordering Sir Henry to bring Elizabeth with all speed to Hampton Court, and the good "gaoler" was free to return home.[15]

Thomas Perry

Princess Elizabeth had an ally in her time at Woodstock:

Thomas Parry, the princess cofferer had to provide for her household but on 26 May, three days after her arrival at Woodstock, the Council told Bedingfield that there was no reason for Parry to stay there. Elizabeth's guardian communicated this decision to Parry, who baffled him by staying in the town. Parry now proceeded to make Bedingfield's life a misery. He first objected to the provisioning of his retinue out of Elizabeth's resources, until Bedingfield was commanded to supply them by a special warrant. This was simply a harassing tactic, for books were being conveyed to Elizabeth, some of which Bedingfield suspected of being seditious, and when Parry sent him two harmless ones he was forced to return them for want of explicit instructions. Bedingfield complained that he was helpless, as ‘daily and hourly the said Parry may have and give intelligence’, and once again the cofferer's position was referred to the Council. Early in Jul Parry was at the Bull inn, ‘a marvellous colourable place to practise in’, receiving every day as many as 40 men in his own livery, besides Elizabeth's own servants. At length the Council forbade such large meetings and, from Bedingfield's subsequent silence on the point, it seems that the order was obeyed.[11]

Elizabeth's fondness for Sir Henry Bedingfeld may have been remembered mischief.

Last Years

Whatever Elizabeth's feelings towards him were, they did not protect him from his love for the Old Religion. His last years were marred by accusations of recusancy.[16]

Children

Children of Sir Henry Bedingfeld and Katherine Townsend:

  • Edmund Bedingfield (d.1585) of Erswell in Norfolk m. 1) Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Southwell of Hoxon in Norfolk;[17] and 2) Anne, daughter of John Moulton of Thugarton in Norfolk, Esq. Children of Edmund Bedingfield and Anne Southwell:
    1. Thomas Bedingfield (d. 9 April 1590[18]), son and heir,[17] m. Frances, coheiress of John Jerningham of Somerley town in Suffolk, Esq.[18]
    2. Edmund Bedingfield of Bryston in Norfolk m. Elizabeth, daughter of John Castell of Ravingham in Norfolk[17]
    3. Anthony[17]
    4. Mary (d.1629[18]), married Sir William Cobb (d. 27 August 1607[21]) of Sandringham in Norfolk, Knight,[17] the great-grandson of Francis Mountford.[22][23] His descendants owned Sandringham until about 1686.[23] Lady Cobb's name is to be found in 1595 in the 'Popish Recusant' Rolls[24]
    5. Anne, the wife of Robert Skerne of Bondby in Lincolnshire[17]
    6. Nazareth, the wife of Edward Yelverton of Norfolk.[17] Both Nazareth and her husband were also recusants[24]
  • Thomas,[17] Gentleman pensioner to Queen Elizabeth. Ob. 1613. Buried in St. James' Clerkenwell[18]
  • John[17] (d.1606+) of Ridlingfield in Suffolk[18]
  • Nicholas,[17] of Swatshall in Gislingham, ob. s.p. 1636[18]
  • Henry[17] of Sturston[18]
  • Alice m. 1) Thomas Carvell, eldest son of Humphrey Kerville of Wigenhale;[18] and 2) Henry Seckford,[17] gentleman of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth[25]
  • Amy,[25][18] the wife of Thomas Wilbraham, Attorney of the Court of Wards[17]
  • Eva (d.1631[18]), the wife of William[18] Yaxley of Yaxley in Suffolk[17]
  • Katherine[17]
  • Elizabeth,[17] m. Edmund Richers of Swanington[18]
  • Anne[17]

References

  1. ^ His portrait is inscribed Anno D. 1573 ætatis suæ 68. He was in his 68th year, i.e. 67 years old in 1573. 1573 - 67 = 1506
  2. ^ a b "Hundred of South Greenhoe: Oxburgh | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-02. There is no date to this monument erected to the memory of Sir Henry Bedingfeld, Knt. Captain of the guards, Governour of the Tower of London, and privy counsellor to Queen Mary, who was buried here, as appears from the Register, on the 24th of August, 1583, and his lady on the 7th of December 1581.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e Duleep Singh, Frederick; Farrer, Edmund (1928). Portraits in Norfolk Houses. Getty Research Institute. Norwich: Jarrold and Sons, Ltd.
  4. ^ G.H. Dashwood, The Visitation of Norfolk in the year 1563 (Miller & Leavins, Norwich 1878), Vol. I, pp. 306-08.
  5. ^ a b c Weikel, Ann. "Bedingfeld [Bedingfield], Sir Henry (1509x11–1583), administrator". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/1936. Retrieved 2020-10-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c d Stone, J.M. (1908). "Studies From Court and Cloister, Essays Historical and Literary". www.gutenberg.org. London and Edinburgh sands and company St Louis, MO. Retrieved 2020-10-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Bedingfield [Bedingfeld] family (per. 1476–1760), gentry". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/68203. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  8. ^ Sir Henry Bedingfeld - Catholic Encyclopedia article
  9. ^ Strickland, Agnes; Strickland, Elizabeth (2010-10-28). Lives of the Queens of England from the Norman Conquest. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-01973-6.
  10. ^ C.R., Manning (1855). "State Papers Relating to the Custody of the Princess Elizabeth at Woodstock in 1554; Being Letters Between Queen Mary and her Privy Council and Sir Henry Bedingfield, Knight of Oxburgh, Norfolk" (PDF). Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society. 4: 133–226.
  11. ^ a b c "Sir Henry Bedingfield, Knight – The Tudor Place".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Sir Henry Bedingfield (Benifield) – The National Portrait Gallery".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Trust, National. "Sir Henry Bedingfeld, KT, PC, MP (1511-83) 1210952". www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  14. ^ a b "Hundred of South Greenhoe: Oxburgh". An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 6. British History Online. 1807. Retrieved 2020-10-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Bedingfeld, Katherine (1912). The Bedingfelds of Oxburgh. Getty Research Institute. S.l. : Privately printed. pp. 25–31. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  16. ^ Bedingfeld, Katherine (1912). The Bedingfelds of Oxburgh. Getty Research Institute. S.l. : Privately printed. pp. 46–48.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Rye, Walter; Hervey, William; Cooke, Clarenceux; Raven, John. The visitacion [i.e., visitation] of Norfolk, made and taken by William Hervey, Clarencieux King of Arms, anno 1563, enlarged with another visitacion [sic] made by Clarenceux Cook : with many other descents, and also the vissitation [sic] made. Family History Library. p. 31.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dashwood, G.H. (ed.). The Visitation of Norfolk in the year 1563, taken by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms: Volume 1 (PDF). Norwich. p. 160.
  19. ^ Dashwood, G.H. (ed.). The Visitation of Norfolk in the year 1563, taken by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms: Volume 1 (PDF). Norwich. p. 160. 3 years, 10 months, and 18 days old at his father's death [on 9 April 32 Elizabeth, i.e. 9 April 1590]. Ob. 22 Nov. 1657, æt. 70 years & 6 months.
  20. ^ Duleep Singh, Frederick; Farrer, Edmund (1928). Portraits in Norfolk houses. Getty Research Institute. Norwich: Jarrold and Sons, Ltd. He died 22nd November 1657, aged 70 years and 6 months. See Monument at Oxburgh.
  21. ^ Dashwood, G.H. (ed.). The Visitation of Norfolk in the year 1563, taken by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms: Volume 1 (PDF). Norwich. p. 323.
  22. ^ Rye, Walter; Hervey, William; Cooke, Clarenceux; Raven, John. The visitacion [i.e., visitation] of Norfolk, made and taken by William Hervey, Clarencieux King of Arms, anno 1563, enlarged with another visitacion [sic] made by Clarenceux Cook : with many other descents, and also the vissitation [sic] made. Family History Library. pp. 200–201.
  23. ^ a b "Freebridge Hundred: Sandringham | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  24. ^ a b Bedingfeld, Katherine (1912). The Bedingfelds of Oxburgh. Getty Research Institute. S.l. : Privately printed. p. 50.
  25. ^ a b Bedingfeld, Katherine (1912). The Bedingfelds of Oxburgh. Getty Research Institute. S.l. : Privately printed. p. 39.

Sources

  • William Joseph Sheils, ‘Bedingfield family (per. 1476-1760)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [accessed 5 June 2005: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/76392]
  • Ann Weikel, ‘Bedingfeld , Sir Henry (1509x11-1583)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
  • J. M., Stone Studies From Court and Cloister, Essays Historical and Literary, pb. 1908 London and Edinburgh sands and company St Louis, MO.
Political offices
Preceded by Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
1557–1558 		Succeeded by
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Henry_Bedingfeld&oldid=983176993

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