Harkes Garbrand (abt. 1515 - aft. 1592)

Born about 1515 in Nederland

Descendants

Died after 5 Aug 1592 after about age 77 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

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Biography

Harkes Garbrand, his name is written in many ways, was a Dutch Protestant who moved to England and became an influential dealer in printed books and manuscripts in the university city of Oxford.

Born around 1515 in the Low Countries, he was an early convert to Calvinism and, to avoid persecution, in 1538 fled to newly Protestant England where he set up as a bookseller in premises at Bulkeley Hall, now part of Oriel College, Oxford.^[1] In addition to books he also sold stationery, becoming official stationer to the University, and in 1546 was licensed to sell wine as well. After 1547 he bought up the libraries of many suppressed monasteries, some of which have since reached the Bodleian Library, and by 1551 he was regularly supplying books to Magdalen College,

When England was forcibly returned to Catholicism after 1553 and Protestants came under persecution, the cellar under his shop was used as a meeting place for Protestants to worship. Still active in business in 1593, he then acquired five shops, two cellars, and two acres (0.8 hectares) of meadow. His will, made on 5 August 1592, was proved in London on 3 May 1596.^[2]

With his wife Elizabeth he had ten children, though their exact dates of birth have not been found:

• Thomas Garbrand (born 1539) took up an academic career, becoming a fellow of Magdalen College.
• John Garbrand (born 1541 or 1542) was a cleric, becoming a prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral.
• Richard Garbrand took over the bookselling business in Oxford and married Anne Ferrar.
• William Garbrand (born 1549) was also a fellow of Magdalen College.
• Amy Garbrand married John Holloway.
• Martha Garbrand married X Langford.
• Elizabeth Garbrand marrried John Chippingdale.
• Ann Garbrand married William Paynter.
• Judith Garbrand married Thomas Parsons.
• Christian Garbrand married Robert Challenor.

Sources

1. ↑ Niall C.E.J. O’Brien, “Some notes on Garbrand Harks and family of Oxford, 17 July 2014” [1]
2. ↑ Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions Will Registers, Class PROB 11, Piece 87

See also:

• Sidney Lee, “Garbrand, John (1542-1589” in Dictionary of National Biography https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Garbrand,_John_(1542-1589)_(DNB00) 1889
• Stephen Wright, “Garbrand, John (1541/2–1589)” in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/10342 3 Jan 2008
• Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbrand_Herks