Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

The

Baron Spencer, died without issue' (Collins, Peerage, vol. v., p. 447). His will bears date May 28, 1647; the witnesses are Anthony Craven, Francis Craven, Vincent Labe, Peirce de la Tousch, Edward Thomas Binaille; a codicil was added June 25, 1647, and is witnessed by Richard Browne, William Lawes, and Richard Hart. (In the latter he bequeaths to Vincent Labe, 1007. ; to my servant Peirce de la Tousch, one years wages and trunch of cloathes; to Thomas Rider, ten years to pay his bond of 100%.) The will was proved on Feb. 27, 1647-8, by William Lord Craven and Richard Spencer. bequests are as follows:-to Christ's Hospital, 2007.; to St. Bartholomew's, St. Thomas', and Bridewell, 40l. apiece; to Bethlehem Hospital, 2007.; to Newgate, Ludgate, and 2 Compters every house, 20., in all, 80l. ; to Appletreewick and Burnsall poor, 40l.; to Winwick Town in co. Northampton poor, 2007.; Brynton Parish do., 100.; to wife, Elizabeth Lady Craven, 3,000l.; to mother in law, Rt. Hon. Penelope Lady Spencer, 20.; to brother Rt. Hon. William Lord Craven, 40.; to aunts, Mrs. Ann Barber, Dame Mary Montague, Frances Wild, Mrs. Jane Still, Dame Mary Whitmore, 107. each; to cousins, Mr. Robert Craven, the elder, 201.; to Nicholas Reyner the elder, 207.; for the relief of the poor within the townes of Skipton, Knaresborough, Ripon, Ripley, Borrowbriggs, 2001. each; to distressed cottagers and farmers in Yorkshire and elsewhere, 500.; to the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft in London, 20.; to Thomas Locker, 20.; to boyes apprentices in London and elsewhere, 500.; to Mr. Henry Warren, 1007. ; to Mary Pultney, als. Shuts, 207.; to Mrs. Barker, servant to my wife, 207.; to Good wife Mount, 107.; for the relief of the poor of the townes of Halson in co. Northampton and near to Althropp, 1007.; Binley in co. Warwick, 100.; to William Gibson, 40l. ; to uncle, Richard Spencer of Orpington in co. Kent, Esq., 1,000l.; to his wife, Mrs. Mary Spencer, 300.; to their son, Edward Spencer, 500.; to their daughter, my godchild, Elizabeth Spencer, 500l.; to Sir John Sackville, Knt., 50%. ; to his son, my godson, Mr. John Sackville when 21, 1007.; to Dame Sackville his wife,

He was elected to the Long Parliament in November, 1640, as M.P. for

Tewkesbury, but the return was found void on August 6th, 1641.

50%. Craven scholarships are endowed with "all my lands in Caunserne in co. Sussex, which I bought of Mr. Maynard," to the intent that 1007. a year be raised for four poor scholars two in Oxford, two in Cambridge-to be chosen by the Vice-Chancellor, King's Professor, and Orator for the time being in each University, "my name and kindred to be preferred" ; a scholar's maintenance to cease after he has been at the University 14 years or on preferment of double value. The rest and residue of the revenue from the said lands to be employed in the redemption of captive prisoners from the Turks at the discretion of the Lord Mayor, the Recorder of the City of London and the Master of Sutton's Hospital for the time being. "And whereas I have reserved myselfe a power in my deed whereby I purchased my mannars of Combe, Smyle, and Bynleye in the county of Warwick (being an Indenture Tripartite bearing date the third day of January in the Twelveth year of the Reign of Charles (ie. 1636) made between William Lord Craven, Baron of Hamstead Marshall in co. Berks of the first parte, Henry Lord Spencer, Baron of Worme Leighton, Richard Spencer of Orpington in co. Kent, Esq., Sir Edward Spencer of Burston in co. Middlesex, of the second part; and Mee John Lord Craven, Baron of Ryton by the name of John Craven of the Citty of London, Esq., brother of the said William Lord Craven, Robert Wynn of Althropp in co. Northampton, Gent., and Ralph Cattlin of Althropp of the third part,) to give and bequeath 10,000l., I do hereby declare that the said 10,000l. shall be raised according as by the said deed is appointed and shall be delivered to my Executor, and that he therewith do pay my debts and satisfie the aforesaid gifts and legacies and the rest and residue of the said 10,000l. shall remaine to my Executor, to which end and the aforesaid uses I doe by this my last will and testament give and bequeath the same. I appoint my uncle, Richard Spencer, Esq., executor, and give and bequeath to my said executor the rest and residue of my Estate." (P. C. C. Essex, 20.) His widow married (Lic. Lond. Jul. 7, 1648, he 28, she 29) the Hon. Henry Howard of Revesby, co. Lincoln (3rd son of Thos., 1st Earl of Berkshire), who died s.p. 1663. She married thirdly, William, Baron Crofts of Saxham, who died s.p. 1677.

[ocr errors]

Thomas, the third surviving son, was baptized at St.

Andrew Undershaft on March 16, 1616-7. He died in France (it is said at the age of 18) unmarried and intestate, and the administration of his goods was granted to Lord Craven on Feb. 13, 1636-7 (ex inform. G. E. Cokayne).

Elizabeth, the eldest surviving daughter, married on Nov. 19, 1622, the Hon. Sir Percy Herbert, Bart., (so cr. 3 days previously) who succeeded his father on March 7, 1656-7 as second Baron Powis of Powis Castle, and who died on Jan. 19, 1667-8, being father of William, Marquess of Powis, attainted for his adherence to the cause of James II.

Mary, the other daughter who survived the alderman, married on April 2, 1627, Thomas, who succeeded his father on Jan. 14, 1639-40 as second Baron Coventry of Aylesborough. She died on Oct. 18, 1634, in childbed, aged 29. Admon. 1634. He died at Lincoln's Inn Fields, Middlesex. Both are buried at Croombe, co. Worcester. Their male issue became extinct, Oct. 27, 1719, by the death of the 8th and last Baron Coventry, who was, however, 4th Earl of Coventry, which latter title, under a special remainder in its creation (Nov. 26, 1697), devolved on a distant kinsman, the ancestor of the present Earls. (London and Middlesex Note Book, p. 163.)

William Craven, the eldest surviving son of Sir William (who was one of the most remarkable of Englishmen), was baptized at St. Andrew Undershaft, on June 26, 1608. He matriculated at Oxford, from Trinity College, on July 11, 1623, at the age of 15. (Foster's "Alumni Oxonienses "), and when 17 years old entered the service of the Prince of Orange. He was knighted at Newmarket, on March 4, 1626-7 (Metcalfe, "Book of Knights"), and eight days later, on the 12th, was raised to the peerage as Baron Craven of Hampsted Marshall, in the County of Berks, with remainder in case of failure of issue male to his brothers John and Thomas successively (Patent Roll, 2 Car. I., Pt. 5). In 1632, he first became acquainted with Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia. On May 12, 1633, he was put on the Council of Wales, and on Aug. 13, 1636, he was created M.A. by the University of Oxford (Foster). His estates were confiscated by Parliament on March 16, 1650—1, and on Aug. 3, 1652, an act of sale was passed by 23 votes to 20, from which

See appendix.

Cf. "Lives of Princesses of England," vol. vi. p. 66, by Mrs. Everett Green.

Combe Abbey, originally purchased by Sir William Craven from Lucy, Countess of Bedford, and where the Queen of Bohemia had spent her girlhood, was exempted, because of the interest of the heir presumptive. (cf. article in Dict. of Nat. Biog.) When, after the restoration, Lord Craven was on March 16, 1664-5, advanced to the dignities of Viscount Craven, of Uffington, County Berks, and Earl of Craven in the County of York, his brothers having in the meantime died without issue, he obtained an extension of the title of Baron Craven, of Hampsted Marshall, to his cousin William, son of the late Sir William Craven of Lenchwick, in the County of Worcester, Knt, and in case of failure of issue to Sir Anthony, the brother of the said Sir William, successively. (Privy Seals, March 17, Car. II.) Sir William Craven of Lenchwick died in 1655, and on the death of his son ten years later, the Earl obtained by letters patent, dated Dec. 11, 1666, a further extension of the limitation to Sir William, son of Thomas Craven, the brother of Sir Anthony aforesaid. (Patent Roll, 18 Car. II. Pt. 1, No. 7). On April 11, 1666, Lord Craven was made a Privy Counsellor, and in the following year High Steward of the University of Cambridge. He was Master of the Trinity House in 1670, Colonel of the Coldstream Guards from 1670 to 1689, and Lieut.-General of the Forces from 1681 to 1689. He died on April 9, 1697, at the age (as given on his coffin plate) of 88 years and 10 months. His will, which bears date July 4, 1689, to July 7, 1691, was proved on April 11, 1697, and in it are mentioned his cousins Sir Anthony Craven, Bart. and Sir William Craven, Knt. his brother, "sons of my deceased cousin Margaret Craven, sister of my cousin Thomas Craven, of Appletreewick, County Yorks," and "my cousin" Sir William Craven, of Combe Abbey, and his son William Craven. (P. C. C. Pyne, 71.)

Sir Anthony Craven having died without issue, it is said in 1670 (Collins), and Sir William of Combe having died in 1695, on the death of the Earl, the earldom and viscounty became extinct, and the barony under the remainder secured in 1666 passed to William, son of the said Sir William, and grandson of Thomas Craven.

Among the good deeds associated with the name of the Lord Mayor is the foundation of a grammar school in his native parish, and to his foresight in making adequate

arrangements for their safe custody we owe the preservation of many documents relating to the charity which contain iucidentally a good deal of information about the Craven family. It is thought that the names which follow, each group of which has been copied from the same deed or indenture, may be of use in the subsequent remarks which will be made on the pedigree.

1605. Anthony Craven, of Darley, brother of Sir W. Craven.

Anthony Craven, of Appletreewick.
Robert Craven.

Thomas, son of the last named Anthony. 1649. Robert Craven, of Appletreewick, yeoman.

Sir William Craven, of Lenchwick, Kt., his son.
Thomas Craven, of Appletree wick, yeoman, another

son.

Anthony Craven, son of Thomas Craven, late of
Elm Tree, in Appletreewick.

1657. Robert Craven, of Appletree wick, yeoman.
Thomas Craven, of Appletreewick, yeoman, his son.
William Craven, son of Thomas.

Anthony Craven

William Craven

}

sons of Thomas Craven, deceased.

1663. Thomas Craven, of Appletreewick, gentleman. Sir Anthony Craven (son of Thomas Craven, deceased), Kt. and Baronet.

Sir William Craven, of London, Kt.

1673. William Earl of Craven.

Thomas Craven, of Appletree wick, Armiger.

Sir Anthony Craven, Kt. and Bart., of Sparsholt,
Berks.

Sir William Craven, Kt., of Benham Valence, Berks.
Sir William Craven, of Winwick, Kt.

1699. William Lord Craven.

Sir Anthony Craven, of Benham Valence, Kt.

Sir William Craven, of Winwick, Kt.

From the above it will be seen that there were two families of Cravens at Appletreewick in the seventeenth century, and with both these notes are concerned. In the paragraphs which immediately follow, the dates are taken exclusively from the parish register at Burnsall.

The first family is, on the authority already adduced,

VOL. XIII.

G G

« PreviousContinue »