Edward Stradling MP (abt. 1529 - 1609)

Born about 1529 in Glamorgan, Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Agnes (Gage) Stradling — married 19 Nov 1566 in St Athan, Glamorgan, Wales

Died 15 May 1609 at about age 80 in St Donats Castle, Glamorgan, Wales

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Biography

Edward Stradling MP is Notable.

Edward Stradling MP was born in Glamorgan, Wales.

Sir Edward Stradling, Lord of St. Donat's Castle, was a notable sixteenth century Welsh antiquarian, genealogist, patron of Welsh arts and British language, builder of large public works, Knight of the Shire and holder other appointments in Somerset and Glamorgan, and funding founder of the Cowbridge Grammar School, which taught the boys of Wales for more than 360 years after his demise.

Early Years

Edward Stradling, (fifth of the name) son of Thomas Stradling and his wife, Katherine Gamage, daughter of Sir Thomas Gamage of Coity, was born about 1529 in Glamorgan, Wales. ^{[1] [2]}

He stated in his will, "Llangyns where I was nursed". ^[3]

He studied at Oxford, although did not graduate, ^[4] then travelled across Europe, including to France, Germany, and Italy. ^[5]

On 08 May 1552, he was "specially admitted" to the Inner Temple with his address listed as St. Donats, Glamorgan, Wales. ^[6]

Marriage and Family

After an agreement in the fall of 1566 ^[7] , Edward married 19 November 1566 to Agnes Gage, daughter of Sir Edward Gage of Firle in Sussex and his wife, Elizabeth Parker, ^[8] in St. Tathan's Church, St. Athan, Glamorgan, Wales. ^[9] Edward's father, Thomas, issued receipt for the £500 marriage settlement on 19 April 1567. ^[10]

For several years, they tried, without success, to produce an heir. "Sir Edward Stradling, knight that now is, married Agnes, second daughter to sir Edward Gage, of Sussex, knight and as yet in the yeare 1572 hath no issue." ^[11] Then in early 1577, a letter gives reference to them having a son. The 26 May 1577 letter from Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, KG stated, "and to yow, my good cossen, that felicitie and comfortable newes unto me from yow that at lengthe yow are made a glad mother of a jolye boye" ^[8] Their son must have died young though, as Sir Edward was later in need of an heir and adopted his "loving cosen Sir John Stradling" as he was addressed in Sir Edward's will. ^[3]

Sir John honoured Sir Edward's approach to life and his achievements with several epigrams in his published works. Each gives a greater glimpse into the life of the man, with the last epigram entitled, "To the Excellent Sir Edward Stradling, Knight, Distinguished by Every Virtue, in the Seventy-Eighth Year of His Life, Who Flourishes with Vigor of Mind and Body, the Poet's Most Dear Uncle". ^[12]

Sir John's Book 4: Epigram 123^[12]
That old age does not weigh heavily on you, or is in other ways troublesome, but rather that your sound mind thrives in your sound body, this is a distinguished sign of a well-lived youth. For rarely does a hale old age follow after a wanton youth, and a good death rarely follows a bad life.

Armorial Achievement

As heir and armiger of the Stradling of St. Donat's lineage, he maintained his father's heraldic arms quartering (1) Stradling, (2) de Hawey, (3) Strongbow, (4) Garnon, (5) St Barbe, (6) Justyn, (7) Turberville, and (8) Berkerolles. The Crest was described as "on a Wreath a Stag in full Course escarfon'd about the Neck, Argent attir'd and ungul'd, Or", which translates into atop a wreath, a running stag with silver scarf around it's neck and having gold antlers and hooves. The family motto was "Dduw a digon", Welsh for "God is enough".

Appointments and Service

In April-May 1554, ^[4] together with Gilbert Gerard he was returned to Parliament as member for Steyning in Sussex. ^{[4] [13]} He was returned again in 1558, this time as member for Arundel ^[4] together with his brother, David Stradling MP. ^[14]

From 1569, he was Justice of the Peace for Glamorgan and remained so for his remaining years.

In Oct 1573, Edward became a Knight Bachelor. ^[15] The following year he was appointed Sheriff of Glamorganshire and again in 1583 and 1596. ^[16]

From the Inner Temple Records, "Parliament held on 20 April... 1578... Order that Sir Edward Stradling shall have his chamber, and his ancienty in the same, paying his duties." ^[17]

Estates, Lands, and Tenements

Upon his father's death, Sir Edward gained hereditary titles, along with the knight's fee of St. Donat's and other Stradling family estates.

St. Donat's Castle

As his predecessors had done during their time in the castle, Sir Edward also made numerous improvements during his life in the "Manshion-house of St Donats"^[3], as he so termed it in his will.

St. Donat's Castle Gatehouse

These works included upgraded apartments, Elizabethan long gallery in the great hall, medical block, kitchen building, lodging along the SE curtain, western watchtower, and seawall barracks. He's most remembered for the addition of seawall and terraced Renaissance gardens across the southern reach of the grounds. ^[18] In Dr. Thomas Leyshon of Neath's pre-1590 poem about St. Donat's it proclaims, "golden apples grow in the garden", which is the earliest recorded tomato cultivation in Britain. ^[19]

View of St. Donat's Castle from the Watch Tower

At the time of his death, Sir Edward held lands in the following parishes, as outlined in his will. ^[3]

Somerset, England... Combe-Hawey, Wellow, Stogomber, Crowcombe, Watchet

Glamorgan, Wales... Cardiff, Cowbridge, Llantrisant, St. Fagans, Sulley, St. Athan, Llantwit, St. Donats, Marcroes, Neath, Ewenni, St. Brides, Llandw, Pen-llin, Aberavon, Gower, Merthyr Mawr, Coety, ?unknown?, Laleston, Tythegston, Llan-gan, ?unknown?, Coychurch, Llangennith

Legacy

For many of his years, he was devoted to literary and antiquarian endeavours, with great regard for Welsh items and written works in the British language. Sir Edward's pursuit of historical literature saw him amass a library of manuscripts, books, and documents in British, English, and Latin that was thought to be the greatest library in Wales, rivaling those of the great houses across Britain. Unfortunately, this great library was to be lost over time. ^[20]

His patronage of the Neath Abbey gave him access to the monastic registers, which he used to outline pedigrees of many Welsh families, including his own. Sir Edward's historical writing included authoring The Winning of the Lordship of Glamorgan Out of Welsh Men's Hands. ^[20]

His literary passion saw him as patron to many educated authors, as well. This included providing John Stradling, his heir, with a study and quarters at St. Donat's Castle from the early 1590s when John completed the following works.^[20]

1. A Direction for Travailers Taken Out of the "Epistola de Peregrinatione Italica" by Justus Lipsius (Sir John translated in 1592)
2. Two bookes of constancie by Justus Lipsius (Sir John translated in 1595)
3. De vita et morte contemnenda libri duo (1597)
4. J. Stradlingi epigrammatum libri quatuor (1607)

He also funded the publication of the John Dafydd Rhys Welsh grammar, Cambrobrytannicae Cymraecaeve Linguae Institutiones et Rudimenta (1592). ^[20]

One of Sir Edward's dying wishes was for a grammar school to be opened in Wales and he provided the funding so his heir, Sir John, could ensure the Cowbridge Grammar School became a reality in 1608. The school remained open under its founding name until 1974. ^[20]

Other public works of note were an aqueduct at Merthyr Mawr and a great sea wall at Aberthaw constructed at Sir Edward's expense. ^[20] The latter destroyed in a huge gale within a few months of construction being completed. Sir John's Book 4: Epigram 62 is entitled, "To Sir Edward Stradling, Knight, on the Seawall at Aberthaw, Constructed at his Own Expense for the Containment of the Severn, a Herculean Labor Completed Within Five Months. 1606"^{[12] [20]}

Death

Sir Edward Stradling died on 15 May 1609 ^[4] and was buried 16 May 1609 in St. Donat's Chapel, St. Donat's, Glamorgan, Wales. ^{[2] [21]}

He had his ancestors' remains transferred to the chapel at St. Donat's, then commissioned three memorial panels, one for his parents, one for his grandparents, and another for he and Lady Agnes.

1590 Commemorative Panel in St. Donat's Chapel ^[22]
"Thes Pictures do represent Sir Edward Stradlinge, kt., the 5th of that name (and sonne to Sir Thomas Stradlinge, knight, and Katerin his wife, daughter to Sir Thomas Gamage of Coity, kt.), and the Lady Agnes Stradlinge his wife, daughter to Sir Edward Gage of Sussex, kt., and Elizth. his wife, daughter to John Parker of Willington, in the county of Sussex, esquier, which said Sir Edward, nowe in his life-time, has set forth thes Monuments of thes his auncestors, deceased; and by God's grace, meaneth both he and his wife, after their decease, to keepe them bodily company in this sealfe-same place. -Anno Domini, 1590."

On the anniversary of Sir Edward's death, Sir John and Lady Agnes erected a monument to him in the Chapel. ^[5]

St. Donat's Chapel Monument Inscription
"Edwardus Stradling, quintus Majorum filius et haeres septemdecimus, Equestris Ordinis sexdecimus hic in Domino obdormivit; Qui juvenis Gallia, Germania, Italia, peragratis Redux, Patriae Principi suo semper charus fidelis amantissimus vixit octogenarius obiit 15 May 1609. Agnetam, Domini Edwardi Gage, Mil. filiam, habuit uxorem, quam maestissimam relinquens, Johannem Stradling, Mil. Francisci natum e multis juniorem, filium adopt. Eliz. Gage, uxoris nepti multa sobole mascula faecundae, junctum integra haereditate donavit.
Domina Agneta, Conjux Viro et Joh. Stradling, Mil. fil. adopt. Patri Pietatis, Officii et Amoris, ergo ac Posteritati sepeliendae, hoc Sacrum posuerunt,
15 May 1610."

Which translates as...
"Edward Stradling, fifth of that name, Sheriff in the 17th year of Her Majesty’s reign and Knight Bachelor in the 16th year. He rests here in the Lord, who in his youth travelled through France, Germany and Italy before returning to the country that was always his dearest faithful love died, aged 80, 15 May, 1609. Agnes, the daughter of Sir Edward Gage was his wife but they were childless and not wishing to leave a widow or an orphan child, he adopted John Stradling the younger of Francis’ many sons. With Elizabeth Gage, the niece of his wife, they have had a fruitful union producing many sons and creating an entire heritage.
Lady Agnes, his wife, and John Stradling, Knight and adopted son, therefore, in duty of love and posterity, buried him here in sacred ritual,
May 15, 1610"

His will was signed 10 May 1608 and proved 19 October 1609. ^[3] Names included are as follows.^[3]

1. "my wellbeloved wief Dame Agnes Stradling... Executrix"; "bond of six thousand poundes upon the late Carlo of Pembroke and the Lord Lisle concerning my Lady"
2. "loving cosen Sir John Stradling" (interest on Dame Agnes bond, signet/ring of gold as seal, title, houses, lands, livestock, armour, weapons, library of books and writings, etc.)
3. "cosen Lambrock Stradling hath a sonne and six daughters... Anne, Elizabeth, Barbara, Livia, Catherine and Brigett... every of them one hundred pounds"; "cosen Lambrock Stradling twenty fyne and a bull, two geldings, and two breeding mares"
4. "Edward Stradling the only sonne of Lamarock Stradling one hundred pounds"
5. "my sister Wenllian Giles one hundred pounds"
6. "my neece Anne Stradling the daughter of my cosen Edward Stradling of Lant... governed in her marriage by my wife her Godmother... one hundred poundes"
7. "Nates Stradling twenty pounds and to his ffather fortie shillinges"
8. "cosen Edward Williams of Sully... Mary his new wief... and Richard his new sonne (granted his family lease of Sully house and 23 acres)"
9. "cosen Arthur Stradling of Sully... manor house in Sulley wherein he now dwelleth and the lands therwith... of his natural lief"
10. "kinsman Llwn (Llewelyn) Morgan ten poundes"
11. "Owen Price ten poundes"
12. "only servant William Benson five poundes"
13. "cosen Margaret Stradling Llwn (Llewelyn) Richards wief fower poundes"
14. "old William Glasier twenty shillinges"
15. "John ap Rees twentie shillinges"
16. "Howell Griffith fortie shillinges: And to his ffather Sir Howell fortie shillings"
17. "Goddaughter Miss Mary Mansell five pounds"

The will further included instructions for his burial in St. Donat's Chapel (St. Mary's), several bequeathed amounts to 26 Glamorganshire and 5 Somerset parishes where he held lands^[3], and "that all my servannts that shalbe in wages with me at the time of my deathe as well men as women shall have one half yeares wages cleere above that they have served."^[3]

Research Notes

Outstanding Source Document

Inquisitions Post Mortem for Sir Edward was unable to be located online to date, but exists as a physical non-digitised record at National Archives so requires further research.
Gilbert-13209 17:24, 6 February 2021 (UTC)

Sir Edward Stradling: 2nd Cousin or Great-Uncle of Sir John Stradling?

For review of the genealogical argument, "Is Sir Edward Stradling a 2nd Cousin or Great-Uncle of his chosen heir, Sir John Stradling Bt?", please CLICK HERE
Gilbert-13209 01:53, 19 March 2022 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Griffiths, R. A., ‘Stradling, Sir Edward (c.1529–1609)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 (Accessed: 5 AUG 2017). This is a subscription site but access is free to readers of British libraries whose library subscribes.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} History of Parliament online: STRADLING, Edward (1528/29-1609) (Accessed: 19 OCT 2020), of St. Donats, Glamorgan
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7} Will * Ancestry.com. England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
   The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 114 (Accessed: 13 DEC 2020)
   Ancestry ca Record 5111 #958406
   The National Archives, Kew PROB 11/114/393 Will of Sir Edward Stradling
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Foster, Joseph, Alumni Oxonienses (Parker and Co., London, 1892); Vol 4; p.1432 (Accessed: 15 DEC 2020)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Collins, Arthur; The Baronettage of England; (London 1720), Vol. I, Pg. 34 (Accessed: 01 FEB 2021)
6. ↑ The Inner Temple Admissions Database: ID 188 (Accessed: 31 DEC 2020)
7. ↑ East Sussex Record Office: Family Settlement Record (Accessed: 01 MAY 2021)
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Traherne, John Montgomery; Stradling Correspondence: A Series of Letters Written in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; Pub. London, 1840; Pg.xii, xxi, 51 (Accessed: 31 DEC 2020)
9. ↑ Williams, John. Llyfr Baglan / Book of Baglan. Transcribed/Edited by Joseph Alfred Bradney; (London, 1910) p.149 (Accessed: 23 MAR 2021)
10. ↑ East Sussex Record Office: Family Settlement Record (Accessed: 01 MAY 2021)
11. ↑ Powell, David; The Historie of Cambria, Now Called Wales: a Part of the Most Famous Yland of Brytaine (1584). Reprinted 1811; p.107 (Accessed: 31 DEC 2020)
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} Sir John Stradling’s Epigrammatum Libri Quatuor
    The University of Birmingham: The Philological Museum Book 1: Epigram 8, 25, 40, 119; Book 2: Epigram 9; Book 3: Epigram 3; Book 4: Epigram 62, 98, 109, 123 (Accessed: 31 DEC 2020)
13. ↑ History of Parliament Online: 1509-1558: Steyning (Accessed: 19 OCT 2020)
14. ↑ History of Parliament Online: 1509-1558: Arundel (Accessed: 19 OCT 2020)
15. ↑ Shaw, William Arthur and Burtchaell, George Dames; The Knights of England; Pub. London, 1906; Pg.76 (Accessed: 31 DEC 2020)
16. ↑ Nicholas, Thomas; Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and the County Families of Wales; Pub. London, 1872; Pg.598-599 (Accessed: 01 JAN 2021)
17. ↑ Calendar of Inner Temple Records: Volume I 1505-1603: Pg.292 (Accessed: 01 JAN 2021)
18. ↑ Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales; An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan Volume III (Wales, 2000), Pg.315 (Accessed: 01 JAN 2021)
19. ↑ Whittle, Elisabeth. Australian Garden History, Vol. 28, No. 2 (October 2016), The earliest recorded tomato in Britain, in Wales, pp21-23
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6} Jones, Evan David; National Library of Wales: Dictionary of Welsh Biography (1959); STRADLING family of Glamorganshire (Accessed: 01 JAN 2021)
21. ↑ Ancestry.com. Glamorganshire, Wales, Anglican Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1570-1994 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2020.
    Archives Wales; Wales; Glamorgan Baptisms, Marriages and Burials (Accessed: 20 FEB 2021)
    Ancestry ca Record 62105 #396032
    Cites in St. Donats Church register, "Sir Edwarde Stradlinge knight was Buried on the 16th daie of Maie Anno Dmi. 1609"
22. ↑ National Museum Wales: Art Collection: 1590: Sir Edward (1529-1609) and Lady Agnes Stradlinge (1547-1624) Commemorative Panel (Accessed: 14 DEC 2020)

See also:

• Wikidata: Item Q16863770, en:Wikipedia
• Wikisource contributors, "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Stradling, Edward," Wikisource (Accessed 16 JAN 2021)
• Benolte, Thomas; Philipot, John; & Owen, George. The Visitations of the County of Sussex: 1530 and 1633-4. London: The Harleian Society, 1905. Vol LIII, p 9, Gage (Accessed: 20 DEC 2020).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 December 2020), memorial page for Sir Edward Stradling V (1529–15 May 1609), Find a Grave Find A Grave: Memorial #101393234, citing St Donats Church, Saint Donats, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales