Frauncis (Byckley) Bickley Bt (bef. 1583 - 1670)

Born before Feb 1583 in Lolworth, Cambridgeshire, England

Husband of Mary (Parsons) Bickley — married 15 Aug 1615 in St Lawrence Jewry with St Mary Magdalene Milk Street, London, England

Descendants

Died 11 Aug 1670 after age 87 in Attleborough, Norfolk, England

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Biography

Birth & Parents

Francis (Byckley) Bickley Bt was born in Cambridgeshire, England.

All Saints, Lolworth, Cambridgeshire.

Francis Byckley was christened in February 1582/3 in the village of Lolworth, county of Cambridgeshire, England.^[1]

He was the son of Francis Bickley and Amy Mayers who were married 13 December 1573 in Lolworth, Cambridgeshire, England.^[2]

Marriage

Fraunces Byckley, aged 32, married Mary Parsons, aged 17, on 15 May 1615. They were married at St Lawrence Jewry, London, England.^[3][4] The church in which they were married was burnt down during the Great Fire of London but fortunately the parish register appears to have survived. The church was rebuilt by Christopher Wren between 1670 and 1687.

Children

According to the inscription on Frauncis' burial vault (refer Death & Memorial below), three daughters, and one son, were living at the time of his burial. He died on 11 August 1670 at nearly 90 years of age. Three daughters were mentioned in his Will, dated 28 June 1670, Anne Edisbury, Mary Eyton and Elizabeth Beale, and one son Frauncis (refer Will & Probate below).^[5]

Francis and Mary had 10 childrlen:

1. Ann
2. Aymee
3. Mary
4. Francis
5. Elizabeth died an infant
6. Richard died an infant
7. Thomas
8. John
9. Elizabeth
10. Margaret died an infant

Career

The Drapers' Company

The Drapers' Company has it's origins back to the early 1300s with its first Royal charter granted by Edward III in 1364. They came to set standards for the trade, such as pricing and the "Drapers’ ell", or standard measure, by which all cloth was sold; and oversaw the training of draper apprentices thus ensuring there was no unfair competition. By the 16th century, the Drapers’ Company, and many of its members, had gained significant power and wealth in the City in large brought about by the flourishing cloth trade, with many members (and some non-members) entrusting their charitable trusts to the Company to provide for the poor of London. It was ranked third out of the twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London lending it's members to social and political advantage.^[6]

Francis Bickley was a Master Draper in London.

Francis became a senior member of the Drapers' Company. He served as an Apprentice to Henry Jay and was made a Freeman on 11 January 1608.^[7] He was admitted to the Drapers' Company as a member of the Livery from 1614-1631 and was admitted as a member of the Court from 163-until his death. He became a Master in 1646.^[8][9]

He bound twelve Apprentices according to the Drapers' Company:^[9]

City of London

• Sheriff

According to "The history of the Worshipful Company of the Drapers of London" Francis was appointed Sherriff on 6 August 1639 but did not serve. Perhaps, like many others of the time, he refused to take the Sacrament which by 1661 had become a law, the Corporation Act, prohibiting abstainers from taking public office. Or perhaps he was simply not interested in public office outside of the Drapers' Company. He possibly paid a fine in order not to serve - however, no record of this has been found yet.^[11]

• Alderman

Based on the "Aldermen of the City of London: Cornhill ward" Francis was appointed Alderman of Cornhill Ward in 1649 but was discharged 5 days later with a fine of £500.^[12][13][9] To date no reason for his discharge has been uncovered.

Heraldry

Bickley Coat of Arms from The Visitation of London.

Frauncis first presented his Arms to the Richmond Herald, Sr. Henry St. George, kt., for the "The visitation of London, anno Domini 1633, 1634, and 1635". He was recorded as being of the Cordwainer Ward and is said to have been living at Budge Row and at Halston in Hackney, County Middlesex, at the time.^[14]

Thomas Wotton described the Arms in his book 'The English Baronetge' in 1741:^[15]

Arms - Argent, a Chevron counter-embattled, between three Griffins Heads eras’d, Sable, each charged with a Plate, languid, Gules.

Crest - On a Wreath, a Hind’s Head coup’d, Proper, collar’d, Or.

In addition to usage within his own family line (Richard Bickley (1582-1667)), these Arms, with cadency and differencing, can also be seen in use by Thomas Bickley DD (abt.1518-1596), The Bishop of Chichester, and by descendants of Henry Bickley (abt.1503-aft.1570) of Chidham, Sussex.

The use of similar arms across these family groups indicates a familial tie which is currently unresolved and being researched. Who the original Armiger was is currently unknown.

Baronetage

'Sir' Francis was created Baronet on 3 September 1661. The title is presumed to have become extinct on the death of the fifth Baronet in 1754.^{[16][17][15][18][19]}

Property

In 1653 (Cokayne) or 1657 (Wotton/Burke) he purchased Attleborough Hall from John Ratcliff esq.^[17][15][18] The Norfolk Heritage Explorer describes Attleborough Hall as; A medieval moated site with a post medieval house on the internal platform. The moat is revetted with a medieval flint wall and the surviving bridge may date to the 16th or 17th centuries, as could the fishponds to the southeast. The Hall has a timber frame with some possibly 15th century beams, a 17th-century façade, 17th-century panelling and a summerhouse that contains medieval stonework. In the mid 19th century seven medieval gold coins were found on the site. The moat surrounding the hall and some of the fishponds to the southeast are visible on aerial photographs, along with cropmarks and earthworks of other possible features surrounding the hall.^[20]

Location of Attleborough Hall, Attleborough, Norfolk.

Attleborough Hall driveway. Now cut through by the Attleborough by-pass.

Attleborough Hall. Gate House.

Attleborough Hall.

Attleborough Hall. Medieval Moat.

Jamestowne Ancestry

Francis (Byckley) Bickley Bt is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

According to the Jamestowne Society, Sir Francis is a Member of the Jamestowne Society having invested in the establishment of Jamestowne, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.^[21]

Evidence of shareholding can be found in "The records of the Virginia company of London". On 22 February 1622/3, the records show Mr Viner to Mr Francis Bickly... 01 Share.^[22]

"Mr Viner" is presumed to be Lord Mayor of London from 1653-1654, the husband of Frauncis' sister-in-law, Anne Parsons who he married in 1618.

Death & Memorial

According to Musgrave's Obituaries^[23][24], and Neve's Monumenta Anglicana^[25], Sir Franciscus died on 11 August 1670 and was buried in the Attilborow Church in Norfolk.

St Mary's Church, Attleborough.

 Jonathan Tyers Barrett's Memorials of the parochial church, the collegiate chantry, and the chapel of st. Mary ... in the parish of Attleborough shows there is a memorial for Sir Francis in the Chapel of Sir William Mortimer^[26] in the Church of St Mary, Attleborough.^[27] Gloria Jahoda provides a translation of the latin memorial in her The Bickleys of Virginia article:

Sir Francis Bickley, Baronet, almost ninety years of age, of one son and three daughters now living and of thirty grandchildren and great-grandchildren the father, grand-father, and great-grandfather. When he foresaw the approach of death, he had this burial vault dug while he was still alive. In it his surviving son, Sir Francis Bickley, Baronet, placed his remains, by his father’s orders, in pious hope of resurrection. He died on the 11th day of August 1670.^[28]

Will & Probate

The Will of Sir Francis Bickley of Attleborough, Norfolk, dated 28 June 1670, was proved on 7 December 1670.^[29]

Click here to read the transcription of Francis' Will

Research Notes

Spelling Variations: Byckley, Bickley.

Birth Location: The original birth location for this Francis was recorded on WikiTree to be Dalston, Middlesex, England, 1582. This has been updated to be Feb 1582, Lolworth, Cambridgeshire, England based on the birth record found, which aligns to the parents he is attached to. His year of birth has been variously recorded around the internet as 1580 or 1582. No evidence for birth in Dalston, Middlesex in either 1580 or 1582 has been found and the mentions elsewhere have not been sourced. As the record for 1582 Lolworth, Cambridgeshire birth has been found and matches up with his attached parents, it has been updated accordingly. The reference to Dalston is most likely simply because this is where he was noted to be living later in life.^[17] In addition, the original birth year of 1582 in this WikiTree profile was noted as a guess.

Profiles to research/create/link to:

• Henry Jay to whom Francis was apprenticed
• John Ratcliff esq from whom Attleborough Hall was purchased
• People Mention in the Will

Sources

1. ↑ Cambridgeshire Baptisms. Cambridgeshire, England. First name(s) Francis, Last name Byckley, Birth year 1582, Birth date ? ? 1582, Baptism year 1582, Baptism date ? Feb 1582, Abode - , Place Lolworth, Father's first name(s) Francis. Transcriptions © Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Family History Society. Findmypast database online. Subscription required. Accessed 3 August 2021.
2. ↑ Cambridgeshire Marriages. Great Britain. First name(s) Francis, Last name Byckley, Birth year - , Marriage year 1573, Marriage day 13, Marriage month Dec, Spouse's first name(s) Amie, Spouse's last name Mayers, Place Lolworth, Groom's first name(s) Francis, Groom's last name BYCKLEY, Bride's, first name(s) Amie, Bride's last name MAYERS, County Cambridgeshire. Transcriptions © Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Family History Society. Findmypast database online. Subscription required. Accessed 3 August 2021.
3. ↑ London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812. Name: Fraunces Byckley Gender: Male Record Type: Marriage Marriage Date: 15 May 1615 Marriage Place: St Lawrence Jewry, City of London, London, England Spouse: Mary Parsons. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: P69/LAW1/A/002/MS06975. Ancestry database online IMAGE. Accessed 17 August 2021.
4. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5VY-YD5 : 12 March 2020), Fraunces Byckley, 1615. Accessed 3 August 2021.
5. ↑ Boyd's Inhabitants Of London & Family Units 1200-1946. Francis Bickley B^r of St Antholin. Society of Genealogists. copyright Society of Genealogists. Findmypast database online IMAGE. Subscription required. Accessed 18 August 2021.
6. ↑ De Laune, Thomas. "The Present State of London", Or, Memorials Comprehending a Full and Succinct Account of the Ancient and Modern State Thereof. United Kingdom: George Larkin, 1681. Pages 259, 307-308, 310. Google Books online.
7. ↑ Records of London's, Livery Companies Online, Apprentices and Freemen 1400-1900. Event Date: 1608 Jan 11 Year: 1608 Freedom Freedom Method: Servitude Freedom Notes: Persons Details Role(s) Status Henry Jay (Male) Occupation not stated - Location unknown, County unknown Master Co Draper Francis Bickley (Male) Occupation not stated - Location unknown, County unknown New freeman Co Draper London Roll - Livery Companies online. Accessed 23 August 2021.
8. ↑ The history of the Worshipful Company of the Drapers of London, preceded by an introduction on London and her Gilds up to the close of the XVth century by Johnson, A. H. (Arthur Henry), 1845-1927. Pages 419-420. The Internet Archive online.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Email from Penelope Fussell, Archivist, The Drapers' Company dated 8 August 2021. Email via (https://thedrapers.co.uk/contact-us/) in the possession of Susan (Potter) Officer. Extract from the Company's Archives (Boyd's Roll) re Francis Bickley.

   Image:Sir Francis Bickley Free Space-1.pdf

   Click the link above to access a PDF copy of the information.

10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3} "Records of London's Livery Companies Online Apprentices and Freemen 1400-1900" [online database]. Institute of Historical Research. No record found when searching for this individual but that may change as records are updated in the future - please keep checking. London Roll Search. Accessed 23 August 2021.
11. ↑ The history of the Worshipful Company of the Drapers of London, by Johnson, Pages 411-412.
12. ↑ Alfred P Beaven. "Aldermen of the City of London: Cornhill ward," in The Aldermen of the City of London Temp. Henry III - 1912, (London: Corporation of the City of London, 1908), 121-127. British History Online, accessed August 23, 2021, British History online.
13. ↑ The history of the Worshipful Company of the Drapers of London, by Johnson, Page 414.
14. ↑ The visitation of London, anno Domini 1633, 1634, and 1635. Made by Sr. Henry St. George, kt., Richmond herald, and deputy and marshal to Sr. Richard St. George, kt., Clarencieux king of armes by St. George, Henry, 1581-1644; College of Arms (Great Britain); St. George, Richard, d. 1635; Howard, Joseph Jackson, 1827-1902, ed; Chester, Joseph Lemuel, 1821-1882, joint ed. Publication date 1880-83. Page 70. The Internet Archive online.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} The English Baronetage: Containing a Genealogical and Historical Account of All the English Baronets, Now Existing: Their Descents, Marriages, and Issues by Thomas Wotton, 1741. Bickley of Attleburgh, Norfolk. Page 331-333. Google Books online.
16. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Bickley baronets," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bickley_baronets&oldid=975672515 (accessed October 7, 2021).
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2} George Edward Cokayne, editor, The Complete Baronetage, (c. 1900); reprint, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 1983), volume III, page 229. FamilySearch Database Online. FamilySearch database online. Accessed 4 August 2021.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England, Ireland, and Scotland By John Burke, Bernard Burke · 1844 Google Books online.
19. ↑ The Baronetage of England:: Containing a Genealogical and Historical Account of All the English Baronets Now Existing: with Their Descents, Marriages, and Memorable Actions Both in War and Peace. Collected from Authentic Manuscripts, Records, Old Wills, Our Best Historians, and Other Authorities. Illustrated with Their Coats of Arms, Engraven on Copper-plates. Also, a List of All the Baronets, who Have Been Advanced to that Dignity, from the First Institution Thereof. To which is Added, An Account of Such Nova-Scotia Baronets as are of English Families; and a Dictionary of Heraldry, Explaining Such Terms as are Commonly Used in English Armory, Volume 2 By Richard Johnson, Edward Kimber, G. Woodfall, J. Fuller, E. Johnson, Hawes, Clarke and Collins, W. Johnston, [and 11 others in London], 1771. Bickley of Attleburgh, Norfolk. Page 225-227. Google Books online.
20. ↑ Record Details NHER Number: 7009 Type of record: Building Name: Attleborough Hall Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Accessed 7 October 2021.
21. ↑ Bickley, Sir Francis - A9505; baptized February 1582/3 Cambridgeshire, died 1670 Ankleborough, England; (Stockholder in Virginia Company). Jamestowne Society website. Accessed 3 August 2021.
22. ↑ The records of the Virginia company of London by Virginia Company of London; Kingsbury, Susan Myra, 1870-; Library of Congress. Page 66. The Internet Archive online.
23. ↑ Name: Sir Fras Bickley Death Date: 11 Aug 1670 Death Place: England Title: Musgrave's Obituaries Prior to 1800, parts 1 & 2. Obituaries prior to 1800; Author: Musgrave, William, Sir, 1735-1800; Armytage, George J., Sir, 1842-1918. Ancestry database online. Accessed 10 August 2021.
24. ↑ Bickley, Fras. (Sir), of Norf. E. B. 1661. 11 Aug. 1670. (Neve's Mon. 88.) Obituary prior to 1800 : (as far as relates to England, Scotland, and Ireland) by Musgrave, William, Sir, 1735-1800; Armytage, George J. (George John), Sir, 1842-1918. Page 175. The Internet Archive online.
25. ↑ Monumenta Anglicana - Being Inscriptions on the Monuments of Several Eminent Persons Deceased, Deduced Into a Series of Time by Way of Annals · Volume 5. By John Le Neve · 1719. Published by W. Bowyer. Page 88. Google Books online.
26. ↑ Francis Blomefield. "Hundred of Shropham: Atleburgh," in An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 1, (London: W Miller, 1805), 501-541. British History Online, accessed August 10, 2021, British History online.
27. ↑ Barrett, Jonathan Tyers. Memorials of the parochial church, the collegiate chantry, and the chapel of st. Mary ... in the parish of Attleborough. United Kingdom: Parker, 1848. Page 46-47. Google Books online.
28. ↑ Jahoda, Gloria. "The Bickleys of Virginia." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 66, no. 4 (1958): 463-82. Accessed August 10, 2021. Page 469. JSTOR digital library online.
29. ↑ Will of Sir Francis Bickley of Attleborough, Norfolk Reference: PROB 11/334/479 Description: Will of Sir Francis Bickley of Attleborough, Norfolk Date: 07 December 1670 Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description The National Archives online. Accessed 20 August 2021.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Jo Fitz-Henry for Frauncis' Will Transcription.