Sir Henry Bedingfeld

     Henry was born on Friday, 8 September 1511 in Oxborough, County Norfolk, England. The Bedingfeld family missal states this as his date of birth. However, at his father's Post Mortum Inquisition, the record states he was forty three at that date of June 1553, making his birth year 1509. He was admitted to the Lincoln Inn as a barrister in February of 1528. Being of an aristocratic family, Henry became involved with the royal family at a relatively early age and was in good favor with the royal family.³ Henry married Katherine Townsend circa 1533 in Oxborough. Henry was knighted sometime in the early 1550’s, previous to the death of his father in 1553. He served in the privy council for Edward VI until his death. After Edward’s death, Sir Henry along with Henry Jerningham and other Norfolk and Suffolk knights, promoted and were a great help in establishing Mary Tutor as Queen and successor of Edward VI. After becoming Queen, Sir Henry was of course in great favor with her as shown by her appointing him Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, and Captain of the Guard. He was created a Knight of the Bath at Mary's coronation, and shortly thereafter was sworn to the Privy Council. His wife became one of the Queen's gentlewomen. Further rewards followed in the form of grants of lands, including the manor of Costessey, one of the largest manors in Norfolk. When Queen Mary became concerned for the safety of her sister, Elizabeth, she appointed Henry as Lieutenant of the Tower and gave him written instructions to move Elizabeth to Woodstock Castle and to protect her. He was in effect, her jailor, and although their relationship started out as strained because of Elizabeth’s restrictions, she soon warmed to him as he treated her with respect and dignity. So much so that on her accession to the throne, she spoke kindly of him. Paraphrasing a letter the Queen wrote, she stated that if she ever needed a jailor to secure a prisoner and to be treated fairly, she would call on him. Henry remained a close advisor to Queen Mary to the end and was asked to witness her will. After Elizabeth was coronated, Sir Henry remained in favor and continued as an advisor until Queen Elizabeth instituted the Act of Uniformity thru the parliament in 1559. Being devoutly Catholic, Sir Henry refused to obey the new act and, as a consequence, was ordered by the Queen to remove himself from his manor and to live at another manor approximately 5 miles distant. He was not allowed to leave the manor unless given permission to do so by the Queen or her privy council. In 1578, when his wife was gravely ill, he was allowed to return to his manor to be with her, but still under restraint not to leave without permission.³ Henry's wife, Katherine, died before 7 December 1581 in Oxborough at Oxbourgh Hall leaving him a widower.⁴ On the death of his wife, Sir Henry was given permission by the privy council to go to the manor of his son-in-law, Henry Steckford, to grieve his loss. Henry Steckford was a member of the Queen’s privy council and had been able to aid Sir Henry during his years of imprisonment.³ Henry made his will on 15 August 1583 at Oxborough, County Norfolk, England. Henry departed this life in Oxborough.⁵ He was buried there in the Bedingfeld Chapel, St. John the Evangelist. A large monument was built on the sourth wall of the chapel with an inscription in Latin that translates to: " (Here BEDINGFIELD's chaste consort, KATHARINA lies, Who ten times five years was his living bride. Of worthy stem, he brought her honours more - When raised a Knight, like sundry of his Name: Then of the Guards, of the Tower, he took command, One party of thy Counsels, MARIA queen. Retir'd, old age to Christ, to himself, he gave, A pious man, and true Religion's friend. A generous Host, benign to needy Kin, He bore the toils of Sickness, firm till Death.)" His will was probated on 13 November 1583. An Inquisition Post Mortem took place on 4 April 1585.⁶