Henry Bedingfeld (1509 - 1583)

Born 1509 in Oxborough, Norfolk, England

Ancestors

Husband of Katherine (Townsend) Bedingfeld — married before 1535 in Oxborough, Norfolk, England

Descendants

Died 24 Aug 1583 at about age 74 in Oxborough, Norfolk, England

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Biography

This profile is part of the Benefiel Name Study.

Sir Henry Bedingfeld was a member of the aristocracy in England.

Henry Bedingfeld was born in Norfolk, England.

Henry Bedingfeld was born in 1509 in Oxburgh (now Oxborough), Norfolk, England. He was the eldest son and heir of Sir Edmund Bedingfeld and Grace Marney. ^[1] He was born into an aristocratic family who had a long line of associations with the Crown. They were given many titles and gifted with several land holdings over many years and reigns. Henry continued his family’s service to the Crown of England. He served during the latter part of King Henry VIII, during the reigns of King Edward VI, Queen Jane’s brief reign, Queen Mary Tudor, and Queen Elizabeth I. ^{[2] [3]}

Henry’s father Sir Edmund served the Crown during the reign of King Henry VIII. One of his roles was overseeing the custody of Queen Catherine. She stayed at his home in Oxen Hall. He received orders that they were to remove to Kimbolton Castle, where she would remain under his care. This was in 1535 after King Henry VIII had their marriage annulled. The room she stayed in at Oxen Hall, has been called the Queen’s room since that time. ^[4]

On 12 February 1527/8 Henry was admitted to The Honorable Society of Lincoln's Inn as a barrister. ^[5]

Sir Henry married Katherine Townsend by 1535, the daughter of Sir Roger Townsend of Raynham, Norfolk. ^{[6] [1] [7]} By 1552, Sir Henry and his wife Katherine had 10 children. Their sons were Edmond, Thomas, John, Nicholas, and Henry. Their daughters were Alice, Amy, Eve, Ruth, and Elizabeth. ^{[7] [8]}

Sir Henry was assigned to the bench of Norfolk as JP from 1538-1553. ^[6] In 1549 during the reign of King Edward VI an order for enclosure was declared. This would consolidate small farms into one large farm. Once enclosed the land would only be available to the owner to use in grazing their livestock. There were also religious uprisings. Kett's Rebellion began on 8 July 1549 in Norfolk and Suffolk when a group of rebels began to destroy the enclosures of wealthy landowners. ^{[9] [7]} The Privy Council sent the Marquis of Northampton and many "gallant knights", among them, were Sir Henry Bedingfeld Knt, Sir Thomas Paston Knt, and others were said to be "men of approved valour and wisdom". Sir Henry was captured by the rebels but was released 3 weeks later when the rebellion was over. ^[7] By 1551 Sir Henry had been Knighted. In 1553 he became a Knight of the Shire of Norfolk. They were Members of Parliament who were elected to represent a county. ^{[6] [10]}

King Edward died on 6 July 1553 in Greenwich. He had appointed the Lady Jane, his heir to the throne in a letter patent dated 21 June 1553. On the 10th of July, Lady Jane was taken to the Tower of London where she was crowned Queen. On the 12th of July, Queen Jane was notified that Princess Mary was at Kenninghall Castle in Norfolk. ^[11]

Previously the Privy Council had made an attempt to imprison Princess Mary. She was able to escape and had made her way to the family Framlingham Castle in Suffolk. Sir Henry came from Norfolk and brought with him 140 men completely armed for her defense and support. ^{[12] [7] [13]} Queen Jane was notified that Sir Henry with Masters, Master Sergeants, Earls, Dukes, and several other men, were with Princess Mary and on their way to London. The Shires began to proclaim Mary Queen and on the 19th of August, she was crowned Queen of England in the City of London. ^[11] Sir Henry Bedingfeld was the first person of distinction to declare his allegiance to Princess Mary when King Edward died and Lady Jane was crowned. When Mary became Queen in 1553, she made him a part of her Privy Council and Governor of the Tower, ^[14]her Knight Marshall, and granted him £100 annum. ^[7]

Henry’s father Edmund wrote his will on 7 April 1554 shortly before his death. His father died after April of 1554 when his Will was written and was buried at Saint John the Evangelist in Oxborough, Norfolk. ^[15] Sir Edmund had a Will that was several pages long, with vast holdings, it lists the enormous inheritance Sir Henry received as heir. This included the lands of Oxburgh in the South Hundred of Greenhoe which his father had inherited from his own grandmother, Margaret Tuddenham. ^{[16] [17]}

In 1554 there was a rebellion and plot to kill the Queen. Thomas Wyatt was proclaimed to be the leader and so, it was referred to as Wyatt's rebellion. ^[18] Princess Elizabeth was accused of being a participant of the plot and was arrested and locked in the Tower. Death threats again the Princess had her fearing for her life. She requested that her sister Mary allow her to be removed to their Manor in Woodstock. The Queen was alarmed by the danger her sister was in. On 8 May 1554, she sent Sir Henry to the Tower to guard Elizabeth and then gave the order that he take the Princess to Woodstock and appointed him Elizabeth's custodian. ^{[7] [19]}

Sir Henry received instructions from the Queen in a letter upon arriving at Woodstock. The instructions were addressed to " her trustie and ryght well beloved counsellor Sir Henry Bedingfeld Knyght " the Queen's orders were that Elizabeth be provided with items such as clothing, and other essentials, and privileges such allowing her to walk in the inner courtyard if accompanied by Sir Henry. However, she was not to be trusted and was allowed no correspondence or visitors. The Princess went out of her way to vex her guardian. Thus causing him much frustration with her constant complaints and demands. Through it all, he was a true gentleman and treated her with kindness and respect. She grew fond of Sir Henry over time and affectionately called him her "gaoler" (jailer). ^{[7] [20]}

On 28 February 1555, the Queen sent orders for Sir Henry and Sir Thomas Stanley to report to the Tower. They were to count, record, and then seal all the money in the Tower. ^[21]

On June 27th in the 3rd of Queen Mary (1556), she granted a patent to her " beloved and faithful councilor, Sir Henry Bedingfeld of Oxburgh "a parcel referred to as the Warwick Lands. This parcel included Necton Woods and Park, Manor of Westacre, Grimston, Congham, Manor of Hillington (Abbotts Manor), Uphall Manor (Ashill), Collards, and Games with consideration. The Queen requested that he surrender his pension £100 per annum that she had previously awarded him for his service during the Framlingham Rebellion. She also requested that he return possession of Wald Newton and Baynton in Yorkshire. Lands that had previously been granted to his ancestors. ^[22] On the same day she granted him West Durham Manor in Hillington. ^[23] On 15 December 1557, he was appointed Vice-Chamberlain and Captain of the Guard. ^[24]

On 4 May in the 3rd of Queen Mary (1557), Henry received an order from the Queen to be expedient in preparing an army to stand against an invasion of the French. On 30 September of the same year, she wrote requesting a loan from Sir Henry and the other commissioners of Norfolk. The loan was to be used to prepare Norfolk for war against the French and the Scottish. She stated the loan would be repaid by the Nativity 1558 (8 September 1558). Sir Henry along with the Bishop of Winchester and 23 others each provided a loan of £100 each. ^[21]

Titles awarded by Queen Mary Tudor 1553-1558

Knight Marshall ^{[25] [7] [12]}

Captain of the Guard ^{[24] [7] [12]}

Governor of the Tower ^{[25] [7] [12]}

Privy Council ^{[25] [7] [12]}

Vice-Chamberlain ^{[24][7] [12]}

Custodian of the Princess Elizabeth ^{[25] [7] [12]}

On 14 November 1558 Queen Mary I of England died. Sir Henry Bedingfeld was a witness when her Will was written. Queen Elizabeth I was crowned on 15 January 1559. When she held her first court Sir Henry came to pay his respects to the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth, the Queen said to him pleasantly " Whenever I have a prisoner who requires to be safely and strictly kept, I shall send him to you ". ^[26]

In 1561 the Queen wrote to Sir Henry she signed her letter with " To our trustie and well beloved Sir Henry Bedingfeld , Knt. ". It was requesting all nobles furnish knights, at least one horse, and other supplies needed to ready for war. She stated in her letter it was because Scotland was jealous of their town of Berwick. Her cousin Mary Queen of Scots had returned to Scotland after losing her husband, King Francis II of France. Elizabeth was concerned that the Scottish would attack and help Queen Mary take the English throne from her. ^[27] It is said that Elizabeth visited Sir Henry in the first few years of her reign. ^[26]

On 1 December 1569, Sir Henry received a bond " Bond of Sir Henry Bedingfeld for his good behavior towards the Queen, and for his appearance before the Privy Council upon being summoned. 1 Dec. 1569. " ^[28] Things changed after the Queens first few years of reign. Sir Henry was a devout Catholic and adamantly refused to accept the Queens Uniformity doctrine. She, like her father, made herself the head of the Church of England. She established the Uniformity of Religion doctrine and those who would not accept it and make the pledge were punished. ^[26]

Sir Henry Bedingfeld Knt was sent to a location about 5 miles from his home. He was not allowed to leave without approval from the Queen or her Privy Council. Lady Katherine his wife wrote to the Queen and requested that he be able to return home to her when she was close to death. ^[26] In 1581 his wife, Lady Katherine died and was buried on 7 December 1581 at Saint John the Evangelist in Oxborough, Norfolk. ^{[29] [30]}

Sir Henry's son-in-law Henry Seckford wrote the Privy Council. He requested that Sir Henry be allowed to come, and visit with his wife and himself while he was mourning his deceased wife Lady Katherine. Permission was granted for him to visit for a season. Then he was to return to the location he was ordered to stay at due to his refusal to sign the doctrine. ^[26]

Sir Henry lived less than 2 years after losing his wife. He died at the age of 74, in 1583 and was buried on 24 August 1583 at Saint John the Evangelist in Oxborough, Norfolk. ^{[26] [31]}

Burial Entry for Sir Henry Bedingfeld Knight

Left Margin 1583

Ser Henry Bedingfyeld Knyght was buryed ye xxiiij of Auguft

Left Margin 1583

Sir Henry Bedingfeld Knight was buried the 24 of August

Research Notes

• In 1752 the calendar in England changed from old style to new style. Previous to 1752 the new year began on March 25th in 1752 it was changed and began January 1st. Dates prior to 1752 occurring between January 1st and March 24th will be recorded as dual years to reflect the change.

• I was able to locate an estimated year for Henry & Katherine's marriage. The marriage is highly documented and she is always referred to as his wife. They were Catholic and she would only have been accepted as his wife if a marriage had taken place.

• There is a difference in listing who their children were between The Visitation and the Bedingfeld personal letters and papers. In The Visitation, they were said to have had daughters Ann, Anne, and Katherine. These daughters are not listed in their own families' papers and history. The Visitation does not list their daughters Amy or Ruth. I have used the names that appear from the Bedingfeld families collection of papers due to the fact that they would appear to be a more reliable source. They also list who the children married and the continued history of the family.

• In Katherine's burial record her first name was recorded as Katerina. Her birth surname, as well as her families, is often spelled Townshend. Their surname is alternately spelled Townshend or Townsend.

• The Bedingfeld name has alternate spellings also and may be spelled Bedingfield and Benefiel.

• It is often been recorded that there was animosity between Sir Henry and Queen Elizabeth. That he had treated her badly while she was in his care. That the beginning of her reign was his downfall. There is no factual evidence to support that any of that was true. The Bedingfeld Papers along with the Court papers during Mary and Elizabeth's reigns show just the opposite. There were many letters between Queen Mary and Sir Henry during his custodianship of Princess Elizabeth. Sir Henry did not leave the Court when Elizabeth was crowned. It was not until a few years later when he refused to support her by signing a doctrine that went against his religious beliefs. He was not locked in the Tower or given an even worse punishment. He was detained in a Manor and could not leave without special permission from the Queen or her Privy Council. Had he treated her a bad as some portray, it would not seem that she would have him at her court or given him a lesser punishment. I have included only a few references in letters from her to him, there are many more. The way she addresses him shows respect, something that would appear doubtful had he treated her so poorly and unkind.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} S.T. Bindoff, 1982. 'BEDINGFIELD, Sir Henry (by 1509-83), of Oxborough, Norf. The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558. historyofparliamentonline.org. Accessed 27 May 2020. Sir Henry Bedingfeld
2. ↑ Blomefield, Francis. "Hundred of South Greenhoe: Oxburgh." An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 6. London: W Miller, 1807. 168-197. British History Online. Web. 26 May 2020. South Greenhoe
3. ↑ Oxburgh Hall. National Trust.org.uk ‘A brief history of Oxburgh Hall’. Accessed 27 May 2020. [1]
4. ↑ Katherine Bedingfeld 1912. ‘The Bedinfelds of Oxburgh’. Pgs. 18-21. Privately Printed by Katherine Bedingfeld. babel.hathitrust.org. (Based on the Bedingfelds Private Collection of Letters and Papers) The Bedingfelds of Oxburgh pgs 18-21 Accessed 27 May 2020.
5. ↑ Lincoln Inn, London. 1896. ‘Records of the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn’ 1420-1799. Vol. 1, Pg. 44. Lincoln’s Inn Council. The original is located at Harvard Law School. Books.google.com. Accessed 30 May 2020 Henry Bedinfeld Admission to Lincoln’s Inn
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} S.T. Bindoff, 1982. 'BEDINGFIELD, Sir Henry (by 1509-83), of Oxborough, Norf. The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558. historyofparliamentonline.org. Accessed 2 Jun 2020. Sir Henry Bedingfeld.
7. ↑ ^{7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13} Katherine Bedingfeld 1912. ‘The Bedinfelds of Oxburgh’. Pgs.22-39. Privately Printed by Katherine Bedingfeld. babel.hathitrust.org. (Based on the Bedingfelds Private Collection of Letters and Papers) Accessed 27 May 2020. The Bedingfelds of Oxburgh pgs. 22-48
8. ↑ Harleian Society, 1869-. ‘The Publications of the Harleian Society’. London the Society. Vol. 32, Pg. 31. googlebooks.com. Accessed 27 May 2020.Sir Henry, Katherine, and Children during the Visitations
9. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. "Kett's Rebellion." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 May. 2020. Web. 29 May. 2020. Kett's Rebellion
10. ↑ David Hey. 'The Oxford Companion to Local and Family History'. 2nd edition, 2008. Oxford University Press. oxfordreferences..com. Accessed 2 Jun 2020. Knight of the Shire
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Nichols, John Gough, 1806-1873. 'The Chronicle of Queen Jane, and of two years of Queen Mary, and especially of the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyat' London : J. B. Nichols, 1850. pgs, 1-10. googlebooks.com Accessed 28 May 2020. Chronicles of Queen Jane & Queen Mary
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6} Blomefield, Francis. "Hundred of South Greenhoe: Oxburgh." An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 6. London: W Miller, 1807. 168-197. British History Online. Web. 26 May 2020. Sir Henry Bedingfeld
13. ↑ Anna Whitelock, and Diarmaid MacCulloch. “Princess Mary's Household and the Succession Crisis, July 1553.” The Historical Journal, vol. 50, no. 2, 2007, pp. 265–287. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4140130. Accessed 21 July 2020.
14. ↑ "Owermoigne - Oxenwood." A Topographical Dictionary of England. Ed. Samuel Lewis. London: S Lewis, 1848. 500-503. British History Online. Web. 28 May 2020. Owermoigne - Oxenwood .
15. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL7R-V6NW: 12 August 2019), Edmund Bedingfield, 1554; Burial, Oxborough, Breckland Borough, Norfolk, England, Saint John the Evangelist Churchyard; citing record ID 177349955, Find a Grave Edmund Bedingfeld
16. ↑ Great Britain Parliament. House of Lords. Committee for Privileges, ‘Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee for Privileges to whom the petition of Sir Henry Paston Bedingfeld of Oxborough in the county of Norfolk ... to Her Majesty, praying Her Majesty to determine the abeyance of the Barony of Grandison by summoning the petitioner to Parliament as Lord Grandison’ London 1854-?. Pgs. 138-141. National Government Publication, England. Accessed 27 May 202 at babel.hathitrust.org. Will of Edmond Bedingfeld
17. ↑ Blomefield, Francis. "Hundred of South Greenhoe." An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 6. London: W Miller, 1807. 1-3. British History Online. Web. 28 May 2020. Hundred of South Greenhoe Vol 6, pgs 1-3
18. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. "Wyatt's rebellion." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 May. 2020. Web. 29 May. 2020. Wyatt's Rebellion
19. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. "Woodstock Palace." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Dec. 2018. Web. 30 May. 2020. Woodstock Palace
20. ↑ Linda Porter, 2007. ‘Mary Tudor the First Queen’. Pgs. St. Martin’s Griffin, New York. (Largely based on the Bedingfeld Collection of Letters and Papers) google.com/books. Accessed 28 May 2020 Mary Tudor the First Queen
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Calendar of House of Lords Manuscripts [1450-1678]. United Kingdom, n.p, 1872. Pg. 238-239. Calendar of the House of Lords Manuscripts
22. ↑ Blomefield, Francis. "Hundred of South Greenhoe: Necton." An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 6. London: W Miller, 1807. 45-56. British History Online. Web. 28 May 2020. Hundred of South Greenhoe: Necton
23. ↑ Blomefield, Francis. "Freebridge Hundred and Half: Hillington." An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 8. London: W Miller, 1808. 460-468. British History Online. Web. 28 May 2020. Freebridge Hundred and Half: Hillington
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1 24.2} "Officers of State during the period covered." The Diary of Henry Machyn, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, 1550-1563. Ed. J G Nichols. London: Camden Society, 1848. xiv-xix. British History Online. Web. 27 May 2020. Vice Chamberlain and Captain of the Guard Accessed 27 May 2020.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3} Debrett's illustrated baronetage and knightage (and companionage) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. United Kingdom, n.p, 1880. Accessed 27 May 2020.
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5} Katherine Bedingfeld 1912. ‘The Bedinfelds of Oxburgh’. Pgs. 42-48. Privately Printed by Katherine Bedingfeld. babel.hathitrust.org. (Based on the Bedingfelds Private Collection of Letters and Papers) Bedingfeld Letters and Papers Pgs. 42-48 Accessed 29 May 2020.
27. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. "Mary, Queen of Scots." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 16 May. 2020. Web. 30 May. 2020. Mary Queen of Scots
28. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth - Volume 60: December 1569." Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, 1547-80. Ed. Robert Lemon. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1856. 350-358. British History Online. Web. 29 May 2020. Queen Elizabeth - Volume 60: December 1569
29. ↑ Katerina Bedingfeld, text-only preview view of 1581 ‘Oxborough, Norfolk, Parish Burials, Norfolk Record Office 1538-1765’, England, Great Britain. Accessed on findmypast.co.uk 26 May 2020. Death Record Image Katherine Bedingfeld (subscription required to view record image)
30. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL7R-ZHDT : 12 August 2019), Katherine Townshend Bedingfield, 1581; Burial, Oxborough, Breckland Borough, Norfolk, England, Saint John the Evangelist Churchyard; citing record ID 177350028, Find a Grave,www.findagrave.com. Katherine Townshend Bedingfeld
31. ↑ Henry Bedingfyeld, text-only preview view of burial 1583 in ‘Oxborough, Norfolk, England'. Accessed on findmypast.co.uk 22 May 2020 Burial Registry Image (subscription required for full details).

See also:

The Church the Bedingfeld's are entered at Saint John's in Oxborough, Norfolk

Find-A-Grave Sir Henry Bedingfeld