EVENTS

 

 

 

PRINCIPAL RECORDS

b=born  m=married  d=died

C=Christened      B=Buried

BIRTH

 

Aquila Wykes-11 was the son of Edward, rector of Tormaton in Gloucestershire. An inscription on a brass plate formerly in Tormarton church was recorded in the 18^th century by Ralph Bigland of the College of Arms. His notes have been published and the following is my translation of the Latin inscription from this publication: 

 

Edward Wykes son of Nicholas Wykes of Bodington gent. and Jane, daughter of Robert Poyntz of Iron Acton knt formerly rector of this church, William Wykes son of the same of love and piety therefore erected this monument, a sincere father to the end, whose assiduous life was illuminated by the sacred book, world, consider our misery and commiserate,  Died 13 March 1590 aged 63

 

An age of 63 in 1590/1 gives him a birth date of 1528 a date that fits well with his marriage in 1561.

 

Another estimate of his date of birth is given by a record from the Court of Chivalry (see Aquila Wykes-11). This states that Edward was born in 1534 the third son of Nicholas Wykes.  This is some 6 years later than the first estimate.  The Court of Chivalry action was dated 1688, nearly 100 years after the death of Edward, whereas the brass plate was erected by Edward’s son during the son’s lifetime.  The latter therefore is probably more reliable, though it depends on age at death, which is often subject to error.  Nevertheless, the discrepancy of only 6 years in the birth date between two very different records is reassuring.  The birth date from the brass plate will be assumed the correct date.

 

Both records state that Edward was the son of Nicholas.  The brass plate states that his mother was Jane daughter of Robert of Iron Acton.  There appears to be no Jane in the family of Robert Poyntz of Iron Acton, but he had a daughter Elizabeth Poyntz who married Nicholas Wykes of Dodington (not Boddington) in Gloucestershire.  Dodington is the adjacent parish to Tormarton whereas Boddington is about 30 miles away and it seems likely therefore that an error occurred in the brass plate or its recording or subsquent publication, substituting a B for the D in Dodington  

 

Other records support the conclusion that Edward was the son of Nicholas Wykes of Dodington, born c1528

 

1.   Nicholas married secondly a widow, Anne Clifford, who was the mother of Katharine Clifford, the wife of Edward.   The following diagram tree shows the close connection between the Wykes of Dodington and the Clifford family assuming that Edward was the son of Nicholas of Dodington.

 

                   Elizabeth POYNTZ--m1--Nicholas WYKES---2m2---Anne HAREWELL--m1--James CLIFFORD

                    mc1508            |   c1488-1558             d1568          |   d1545      

                                     |    will                   will          |   will

                                     |                                         |

                                     Edward WYKES-------m----------------------Katherine             

                                      bc1527             m1561 Allhallows       CLIFFORD    

                                     d1590              |      London

                                     parson of          |

                                      Tormarton          William

                                                        ?Aquila 

 

2.   Nicholas’ wife Elizabeth Poyntz had a sister Margaret who married Sir John St Loe (see Visitation of Gloucester 1623 below). Sir John was the patron of Tormarton church at the time of Edward's appointment, so if Edward were the son of Nicholas of Dodington, he would be related to Sir John's wife. It was common practice to promote a relation in this way.

 

The will of Nicholas Wykes of Dodington however fails to mention Edward as his son. He died in 1558 and his will mentions specifically his four sons: William (executor) Thomas, Frannce and Morryce (see below). This of course is not proof that he did not exist.  As rector of Tormarton his future was secure and it is not uncommon in such circumstance to receive no bequest.  There is evidence for a daughter Isabel also not mentioned in the will. She had married into the Willoughby family and perhaps was also not in need of a bequest.  Further, Nicholas and his second wife were Catholics whereas there is evidence that Edward may have had Protestant beliefs.  Perhaps this was sufficient for Nicholas to leave Edward out of his will.  The will of Nicholas' wife Anne does not mention her daughter Katherine either, though she does acknowledge a debt  of £6-12-4 to Edward Wekes

 

The arms of Nicholas Wykes of Dodsington are very different from that of Edward Wykes (see Aquila Wykes)  According to Burke’s general armory the arms of Nicholas are very unusual, containing three greyhounds’ heads, one of which holds a severed man’s leg.  However the Court of Chivalry record shows that Edward was the third son of Nicholas and would not therefore necessarily bear these arms.  

 

It is concluded that Edward Wykes parson of Tormarton was the son of Nicholas of Dodington but was probably disapproved by his Catholic father.

 

MARRIAGE

 

From the records of Aquila Wykes-11 it was concluded that he was born c1570 the son of Edward Wykes of Tormarton.  The Clifford pedigree in the Visitation of Gloucestershire states that Edward Wykes of Tormarton married Katharine CLIFFORD daughter of James Clifford of Frampton. The marriage took place in London.

 

From register of Allhallows, Honey Lane, City of London:

 

m  9Nov1561 Edward WYCKES & Mrs Kateren CLYFFORD

 

No additional information nor baptisms nor burials relating to these parents were found in the register up to 1566 (though many plague deaths in 1563).  Anglican clergy were allowed to marry from 1547 (Edward VI), but this was repealed by Mary.  Elizabeth I was opposed to the marriage of clergy, but it became an allowed practice within a year or two of her accession in 1558. It seems surprising that the marriage took place in London when both bride and groom were of Gloucestershire.  All Hallows was a small parish associated with the Grocer's comapany who held the advowson. They held reformist views since the parson they appointed was burnt at the stake by Henry VIII in 1540 for heresy.  In 1561 the parson was Hugh Brady who soon after was appointed Bishop of Meath by Elizabeth I to further the reformation in Ireland.  Perhaps this church was chosen because of the reformist views of Edward See below for further discussion.

DESCENDANTS

No baptismal records have been found for any children of Edward. It is likely they were baptised at Tormarton where Edward was parson, but the registers have not survived before 1679.  The registers of Dodington survive from 1574 but no Wykes entries were found. 

 

Two sons are named in the 1688 proceedings of the Court of Chivalry, Edward and Aquila of Westminster.  A third son William erected the brass plate in Tormarton church in memory of his father.  A possible fourth son named Robert may be identified from the parish register of Bromham, a village some 14 miles from Tormarton. Here an Aquila Weekes was baptised in 1599. The unusual forename suggests a connection with the Tormarton family. No father was named in the register but Robert Wickes baptised Isaac in 1601 and Robert and Cecile Wickes baptised Mary in 1605.  There is no register entry for the baptism of Robert himself, so he was born elsewhere. Robert was buried in 1610 and Cecile in 1616. Confusingly, the register records a marriage in 1598 of Edward Wickes to Cecile HOBBS.  There is no other record of Edward, and it seems this must be a register error, perhaps confusing Robert with his father Edward.  A marriage date of 1598 fits well to a child of Edward born around 1560/70

 

Edward            bc 1563?  probable eldest son born perhaps 2 years after parents marriage; of Westminster

William            bc 1565?  erected brass plate in Tormarton; possibly the attorney who acted for Aquila and possibly of Petworth in Sussex – see below

Aquila              bc 1570    gentleman of Wapley next to Tormarton in 1592; later of Westminster (see Aquila Wyke-11)

Robert              bc 1570?  married 1598 buried 1610 Bromham Wiltshire

 

Was Katherine the mother of these children?

 

Edward was 42 when Aquila was born, but what was Katherine's age? According to the 1623 Visitation of Gloucester she was the daughter of James of Frampton, born 2 or 3 siblings before Henry.  Henry was born 1516 according to his gravestone in Frampton church. Katherine was therefore born before c1512 and could not be the mother of Aquila born c1570. There are known errors in the Visitation pedigree however and according to the pedigree roll of the Clifford family produced in the 16th century Katherine was born after Henry with another sibling in between. Thus Katherine was born after c1520 and would be aged 50 or less when Aquila was born. Given the uncertainties in these estimations,

DEATH

From the brass plate in Tormarton church, Edward died 13Mar1590/91

 

No burial record or will has been found.

OTHER

1. Monuments of Gloucestershire by Ralph Bigland

In Tormarton church on a brass:

 

Edvardo Wykes filio Nicholi Wykes de Bodington Arm. et Janae filiae Robti Poyntz

de Iron Acton, mil. quondam Rectori hujus Ecclesiae, Guli. Wykes filius ejusd. Amoris at Pietatis

ergo hoc monumentum posuit, Patri sincerae Finei, cui Pagina sacra

Assidus Vita Luxq. Comesq. fuit.

Mundi contemplor miseror. Comiserator,

Obiit 13 Martij 1590 Aetat 63

 

Bigland states that Edward was the incumbent of Tormarton from 1549. Sir John St Loe patron "jure uxoris" by right of his wife .  The CoE database of clergy states he was rector from 9Jul1548 to 23Jul1576, but Tormarton wills were witnessed by Edward Wykes, parson, up to 1590, the year before his death

 

2. Bishop Hooper’s Examination

 

In 1541 Edward was examined by the newly appointed Bishop Hooper of Gloucester who reported as follows:

 

Tormarton:  Edward Weeke parson stammereth in his reading but understandeth Latine and indifferentlie seene in scripture

 

This was much better than most parsons examined by Hooper.  Hooper was a Reformist and was burnt at the stake in 1554 by Queen Mary.  He was previously sheltered by the St Loe family who appointed Edward as rector.  It seems likely therefore that Edward was himself a reformist.

 

3. Tormarton Wills at Gloucester record Office

None of these wills relates to the Wykes family. However, wills up to 1555 were sometimes witnessed by John Lawrence as parson of Tormarton. The first Tormarton will witnessed by Edward Wykes parson was in 1562 and occasionally thereafter until 1590. This suggests that Edward may have been absent from the parish for some 10 years after his examination until his marriage in 1561.

4. Visitation of Gloucester 1623

Extract from the Clifford pedigree

 

 

Extract from the Poyntz Pedigree

 

          

5. Parish register of Bromham Wiltshire
from transcript at Wilts RO

 

all from index 1566-1700

 

m  2Oct1598 Edward WICKES & Cecelie HOBBS

C 20Oct1599 Aquila WEEKES (checked on original – no parents stated)

C  5Jul1601 Isaac s Robert WEEKES

C 22Dec1605 Mary d Robert & Cicill WICKES

B 22Nov1610 Robert WICKES

B 29Jny1615+Cicell WICKES

m 10Aug1635 Simon DEEKE & Anne WICKES both of Rowd parish

B  8Jny1650+Elizabeth WICKES a stranger

 

It seems that the marriage entry should read Robert rather than Edward, but this was not checked on the original; no earlier WICKES entries but HOBBES was a local name; at least 3 families were baptising in 16thC; Cicelie was baptised 13Jul1566; thus Robert was from a different parish and baptised Aquila, Isaac and Mary before he died in 1610

 

6. Wills

 

James CLYFFORD of Frampton (Gloucester RO 1545/128 Clifford) photocopy

 

7^th October 1544  James Clyfford of Frampton upon Seven esquire — to be buried in the church of Frampton

to John Clyfford my son ten pounds a year [out of] my manor of Frampton

to Avys Clyfford my daughter 100 marks

to Katheryn my daughter likewise

residue to Anne my wife and Henry my son whom I appoint executors

Walter Yate gentleman supervisor

witness Roger Hoskyns my gostly father, Edward Butler[?]  of whyt-ester, Edmund Barowe[?] gentleman and James ??? [Loe?]

 

John CLIFFORD of Frampton  (Gloucester Record Office 1549/162) photocopy

 

25September 1549

to be buried at Doddington

my father-in-law Nicholas Wyke esq

my brother Henry Clifford and his son John Clifford my godson

my sister Maddocke

my sister Barrowe

to George Ballard my servant

to Margaret Wra—tte of Frampton widow

to Isobedolle of the same widow

rest to Johan my wife sole executor

William Thomas and Thomas Byrke overseers and witness

John Crooke[?] curate of Frampton also witness

 

[the siblings identify John as a son of James and Ann Clifford of Frampton; his mother Ann married secondly Nicholas Wyke of Doddington, which may be the reason he is named as father-in-law rather than that his wife was Joan Wyke, daughter of Nicholas. Nicholas’ will proved in 1558 mentions no Joan, but does mention a daughter Jane married to Harry Wyke. Possibly this is Joan Clifford remarried

Nicholas WYKES 1558  (PROB11/40) downloaded

 

10Mar1555 2&3 Philip & Mary.  Nicholas WYKES of co Gloucester esq; my goods moveable as of all my manors lands tenements and rents within the said county; my body to be buried within the church of Dodyngton on the left hand of the high altar before the image of the Trynitie  ITEM I bequeath to the mother church xii – ITEM for the parish church of Dodyngton for that I do owe p—e thereof £5 ITEM I will that such of my household servants as shall in service at my decease to have their meat and drink and lodging the space of a month after my decease  If they last so long to have their half -- wage at the next quarter after my decease after the rate of the wage that I guve them

ALSO I give my son Frannce WYKE my 4 tenements in Clepynge Sodbury term of his life and £10 in money.

ALSO my son Morice my farm of ----wsomme with the stock of sheep thereupon paying £4 to Robert Wykes by yere

ALSO I give Thomas WYKE the land in Dodyngton that I bought of the Kyng that late was of the late suppressed house of a lady of Broadenstoke in Wiltshire during his life and after to remain to Robert Wy—and to his heirs

ITEM I give to my son in the law and Margaret my daughter his wife xl -- marks

ITEM I give to Thomas MADOCKE and to Mary my daughter his wife xl – marks

ALSO I give Harry WYKE and to Jane his wife my daughter xxl – marks

ITEM I give my wife all the stuff that is in Frythorn the house at Frythorn that she have and hath these at our marriage ALSO I will that she do attend[?] all the household stuff now being in my manor of Dodyngton during her life and after to leave it to my four sons: William, Thomas, France and Morryce if that they so long live.

ITEM I make William WYKE my son sole executor

In witness whereof I the said Nicholas WYKE have written this my last will with my own hand,  p---Thomam  Eiton-  ch-n

I James Gloucester for the experience that I have had of the hand of Nicholas WYKE esquire of the county of Gloucester lately deceased do judge to my knowledge that his will is his own hand unfaynedlye    William Wyke   Anne Wyke

 

proved London 27May1558 William Wyke executor

 

Summary

Nicholas Wykes of Gloucestr; will made 10Mar1555, proved 27May1558

to be buried in Dodyngton church

my 4 sons: William (executor), Thomas, France, Morryce

daughter Margaret (married)

daughter Jane, married to Harry WYKE

daughter Mary married to Thomas MADDOCKE

wife: the house she had at Frythorn at our marriage

witness: William WYKE, Anne WYKE

 

Anne WEEKS 1568 (Gloucester Record Office 1568/1) abstract from photocopy

[amounts of money difficult to read and omitted in many cases]

 

In the name of God Amen.  The last day of November the year of our lord god ?? I Anne Wekes widow of the parish of Fretherne, County of Gloucester, gentlewoman … my body to be buried in Frampton church in St Anne chapel before where I was wont to kneel Item I give & bequeath to the mother church of Gloucester 6s 8d Item I give & bequeath to the church of Dodington whereas Mr Wekes gave £5 I will make it up £6 12s 4d for the reparation of the said church Item I give & bequeath to the church of Frethern £10 Item I give & bequeath to my son Henry Clyfford sonnes, that is to say George, John, William, Fernando and Thomas every of them £[?] rent yearly to be paid and levied out of the Lordship of Knowle in the parish of Bedmester Somerset for their lives, £10 to be paid at the feast of St Michael, £10 and also £10 at the feast of the annunciation and then to be paid from term to term provided always when any of the aforenamed George John William Fernando and Thomas do depart out of the present world then the forenamed rent of him or of any of them departed shall come to James Clyfford so to remain to the lawful heirs of the above named Henry Clyfford for evermore. Item I give & bequeath to two daughters of Henry Clyfford, Jane Clyfford the elder £40 to be paid at marriage AND to Anne Clyfford £20 to be paid at marriage. Item I give & bequeath to Ann Madocke my goddaughter £10 at marriage Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Frannce Barrowes children, that is to say to Margaret Barrowe ?? at marriage. Item I give to my household servants besides their due wages half years wages for their reward. AND the rest of all my goods movable and unmovable to James Clyfford saving my jewels and my raiment to pay my debts and legacies and for to bring me to the church and to be buried and a dole to be made and thus I do appoint and make James Clyfford gent to be my executor.  John Trye gent Edwd Barrowe my son in law gent to be overseers of this my last will … and for the trust I have in them I give them both 20 nobles.  Witness and being at the making hereof, the parson of Stembryche and in Somerset of Wotton and John Estwicke and others.

 

[the date 1568 appears twice on the reverse but not clear whether this is a Record Office note or original writing]

 

Debts which I Ann Wekes widow do own as nye as I can remember

 

James Clyfford 20 marks

Robert Wykes £32

the executors of Wm Wekes £34

Jane Clyfford £7

Edward Wekes £6 12 s 4d

Mr Robert [ditto?] £8 7s

Johan Berte of Saull £15 4S

Mr Rede of Glouc £32

Thomas S—ych

the churchwardens of Dodington

George Ballade

Wm Clyfford ?? and £20 in wages

Mr Warens

John Estwycke

ditto? wife

John Fradlinge

Margery Goslynge

John ?eckede

Richard Prosser

John Horseman

John Watte

John Coll??

John Selman?

 

proved 2Dec1568

 

Notes on Tormarton manor and the St Loe family

Tormarton manor was formerly held by the de la River family. In 1437 it was held by Sir Maurice de la River (Hist of Parl Sir Henry de la River). Isabel the last heiress of the family married Sir John St Loe (Bigland, Monumental inscriptions of Gloucestershire, quoting Esh. and Leland). Maurice's mother was Isabel (pedigrees from the plea rolls) so perhaps the last Isabel was his daughter. Various ipm and History of Parliament show the following descent of the St Loe family and a connection with Wykes

Nicolas St Loe d1487  1m Agnes  2m Maud (Langley?) who first m John Wykes of Dodington d1485

[                                                            [

Sir John St Loe b1447 d1499 m1 Isabel (de la River?)         Edmund Wykes b1467 d1514

[                              2m Edward Wadham d1547        [

Nicholas St Loe b1480 d1509 m Eleanor Arundel                Nicholas Wykes b1488 d1558 1m Elizabeth Poyntz

[                                                            [                          2m Ann Clifford

Sir John St Loe b1501 d1559 1m Magaret Kingston?             Edward Wykes bc1528

[                           2m Margaret Poyntz?

William St Loe b1518 d1565  1m Jane Baynton 2m Bess of Hardwicke

 

Bigland and others claim John St Loe b1447 was the father of John b1501 but this seems an error. 

 

The younger John St Loe inherited the manor of Tormarton when his step-grandfather Edward Wadham died ("History of Parliament" and "Bess of Hardwicke").  Edward's will does not mention the manor so presumably he held it only for his lifetime. Wadham died in 1547 so at the time of Edward Wykes appointment 9Jul1548 (on line record of Anglican clergy, Bigland states 1549)  John St Loe had been patron for just a year, the advowson went with the manor (Bigland). (Bigland states that in 1549 John St Loe was patron jure uxoris - by right of his wife. This must surely be an error. Sir John was married to Margaret Kingston or Margaret Poyntz, neither of whom had a claim to the manor. Perhaps there was confusion with the elder Sir John who did hold the manor jure uxoris).

 

 History of Parliament states that after the death of his father, the younger John St Loe aged 7 became the ward of Sir William Kingston and eventually married his daughter Margaret Kingston (no reference given). The 1623 Visitation of Gloucestershire repeated by others including Burke's History state that Sir John St Loe married Margaret Poyntz. I have been unable to resolve this conflict.  The Hist of Parl biography is by an expert historian of the period so it seems likely that he had evidence for the marriage to Kingston, but I have found no record of Margaret Kingston.

The best estimates for the birth of Margaret Poyntz are between 1480 and 1490, so she was some 10 or 20 years older than the younger John St Loe but not too old to have borne William in 1518. (Or 30 to 40 years younger thn the elder John St Loe which seems unlikely). A best guess then is that she was the second wife of the younger John St Loe after the death of Margaret Kingston
 
John died Dec 1558 and his will gave his wife Margaret a lifetime tenancy of Tormarton manor which was to go to son William on her death. Margaret however chose to live in the St Loe home of Chew Magna in Somerset leaving William to live in Tormarton (Bess of Hardwick by Mary Lovell PRO E/328/241 and CHA drawer 144).

 

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