John Wyndham (1558-1645)
Encyclopedia
Sir John Wyndham JP
(1558–1645) was an aristocratic English landowner who played an important role in the establishment of defence organisation in the West Country
against the threat of Spanish invasion.
He was born at Orchard Wyndham
in Somerset
, the son and only child of Sir John Wyndham and Florence Wadham
, sister to Nicholas Wadham
. He was a minor of twelve years when his father died and his wardship and the disposal of him in marriage became Elizabeth I's
, to be sold to whom she pleased. His grandfather was able to acquire these rights and he later married Joan, daughter of Sir Henry Portman, by whom he had nine sons and six daughters. In 1599 he succeeded to the Felbrigg estate including Felbrigg Hall
from his cousin Thomas Wyndham.
He played an important role in the defence organisation of Somerset
, the substantial growth of which is shown by the muster in 1580 being 12,000 able footmen, double the total twenty years earlier. The special census of horses taken on 26 August 1583 shows that their number had also increased to forty-seven great horses and 308 light horses. While the defeat of the Spanish Armada
saved England from the feared invasion, the significance and value of the defence movement was in keying up the nation and teaching it to realise the heritage it had to defend. He was also one of the County Justices and as such shared effective responsibility for local government and administration, acting as the representative and general agent of the central government, as well as sitting in quarter sessions
.
At the start of the English Civil War
his sympathies appear to have been with the Parliament, which is borne out by a foray made by his cousin Sir Francis Wyndham
, governor of Dunster Castle
, in June 1644 against Orchard Wyndham and which ended with £4,000 worth of plunder being seized for the Royalist cause. Three months after this event he gave his eighth and ninth sons, Sir Hugh Wyndham and Sir Wadham Wyndham
, £4,000 each for safe keeping. He died on 1 April 1645.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(1558–1645) was an aristocratic English landowner who played an important role in the establishment of defence organisation in the West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
against the threat of Spanish invasion.
He was born at Orchard Wyndham
Orchard Wyndham
Orchard Wyndham is a historic house parts of which date from medieval times near Williton, Somerset, England.There is evidence of occupation of the site from Roman and Saxon times....
in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, the son and only child of Sir John Wyndham and Florence Wadham
Florence Wadham
Florence Wyndham was the daughter of Sir John Wadham of Merifield and sister of Nicholas Wadham founder of Wadham College, Oxford.-Buried alive:...
, sister to Nicholas Wadham
Nicholas Wadham
Nicholas Wadham was the benefactor of Wadham College, Oxford.-Life:Wadham was probably born at Merrifield, near Ilton, Somerset. He was the only son of John Wadham and his wife, Joan, daughter of John Tregarthin and widow of John Kellaway. A biography written before 1637 notes Wadham as attending...
. He was a minor of twelve years when his father died and his wardship and the disposal of him in marriage became Elizabeth I's
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, to be sold to whom she pleased. His grandfather was able to acquire these rights and he later married Joan, daughter of Sir Henry Portman, by whom he had nine sons and six daughters. In 1599 he succeeded to the Felbrigg estate including Felbrigg Hall
Felbrigg Hall
Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century country house located in Felbrigg, Norfolk, England. Part of a National Trust property, the unaltered 17th-century house is noted for its Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior...
from his cousin Thomas Wyndham.
He played an important role in the defence organisation of Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, the substantial growth of which is shown by the muster in 1580 being 12,000 able footmen, double the total twenty years earlier. The special census of horses taken on 26 August 1583 shows that their number had also increased to forty-seven great horses and 308 light horses. While the defeat of the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
saved England from the feared invasion, the significance and value of the defence movement was in keying up the nation and teaching it to realise the heritage it had to defend. He was also one of the County Justices and as such shared effective responsibility for local government and administration, acting as the representative and general agent of the central government, as well as sitting in quarter sessions
Quarter Sessions
The Courts of Quarter Sessions or Quarter Sessions were local courts traditionally held at four set times each year in the United Kingdom and other countries in the former British Empire...
.
At the start of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
his sympathies appear to have been with the Parliament, which is borne out by a foray made by his cousin Sir Francis Wyndham
Francis Wyndham
Francis Wyndham may refer to*Francis Wyndham *Sir Francis Wyndham, 1st Baronet...
, governor of Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, in the village of Dunster, Somerset, England. The castle lies on the top of a steep hill called the Tor, and has been fortified since the late Anglo-Saxon period. After the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century,...
, in June 1644 against Orchard Wyndham and which ended with £4,000 worth of plunder being seized for the Royalist cause. Three months after this event he gave his eighth and ninth sons, Sir Hugh Wyndham and Sir Wadham Wyndham
Wadham Wyndham
Sir Wadham Wyndham SL , English judge, was born at Orchard Wyndham, Somerset, the ninth son of Sir John Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham, and his wife, Joan, daughter of Sir Henry Portman...
, £4,000 each for safe keeping. He died on 1 April 1645.