Richard Bulstrode

Richard probably owed his advancement to his cousin the influential courtier John Norris. He entered the service of Queen Margaret of Anjou in the 1440s. Richard was M.P. for Wallingford in 1450 and for Buckinghamshire in 1472 and 1495. He was sheriff of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire in the 1470s. (Clark) 

Events 

Date of Birth: unknown.

Place of Birth: unknown.

Date of Death: 19 May 1502.

Place of Death: unknown.

The date is given in Richard’s inquistion post mortem (CIPM Hen. VII vol 2, no. 627).

Relationships

Father: William Bulstrode.

Mother: Agnes Norreys.

These relationships are given in a pedigree added to the Visitations of Berkshire (p. 79), citing MS. Ashmole 852, p. 31. It is also given in the pedigree given in Aungier (p. 495) and in the pedigree given in Ashmole (3:309-310). The will of Richard’s brother William confirms that their father’s name was William. Agnes’s funeral monument in the church of St Lawrence, Upton, Buckinghamshire (Burne, p. 44) confirms her identity.  Agnes’s brother John Norreys mentions Richard Bulstrode in his 1466 will. 

Spouse: Alice Knyffe. Married 20 April 1455.

The relationship is given in the 1634 Visitation of Buckinghamshire (p. 12) and in the Berkshire Visitation pedigree mentioned above. It is implied by the arms on the stained glass described by Nichols (p. 225). Richard’s wife is named Alice in contemporary fines and in his inquisition post mortem. The date (20 : Aprill 33 H. 6) is given in the Berkshire Visitation pedigree. Aungier gives 20th April, 34 Hen. VI (1456). Gyll (p. 217) gives 20 April 1457. The Berkshire VCH (3:sub Upton-cum-Chalvey) notes that in a 16th century survey, Thomas Bulstrode is holding land formerly belonging to Thomas Knife.

Children: 

(I am using primarily the pedigree in the 1723 edition of Ashmole for the children and their birth order. The order of the boys and the girls is given there separately, without dates. Ryland, in notes to additions to the Visitation of Berkshire, gives a different order for the girls, yet citing Ashmole for this. I am not sure if this is because he was using an earlier edition of Ashmole or because the edition he was using was partly illegible.)

Richard Bulstrode

John Bulstrode

John Bulstrode

Thomas Bulstrode

Robert Bulstrode

Edward Bulstrode (born about 1474 - died 3 August 1517), son and heir, married (1) Mary Empson in 1496; married (2) Ellen (Brent?); married (3) Margaret Colwick. 

Edmond Bulstrode

Thomas Bulstrode

Richard Bulstrode

Margaret Bulstrode

Elizabeth Bulstrode 

Anne Bulstrode

Lettice Bulstrode

Mary Bulstrode married John Fyfield alias Lowe.

Joan Bulstrode

Margery Bulstrode

Ellen Bulstrode

Alice Bulstrode married Thomas Penyston of Hawridge, Buckinghamshire.

Bridget Bulstrode

Evidence

On Richard’s children:

Aungier (p. 495) in his pedigree gives these children without specifying the birth order:

sons:

Richard, John, John, Thomas, Robert, Edward, Thomas, Richard, Edward (the heir)

daughters:

Margaret, Alice, Bridget, Elena, Margaret, Anne, Maria, Elizabeth (the wife of Thomas Peniston)

The Visitation of Berkshire (p. 80) gives a somewhat different list. In the latter, Ryland gives the birth order – of the boys and girls separately– citing Ashm: Berks., iii.310.

Sons:

[1] Richard; [2] John; [3] Thomas; [4] Robert; [5] Edward; [6] Edmond; [7] Thomas; [8] Richard.

Daughters:

[1] Mary; [2] Anne; [2] Bridgit; [4] Lettice; [5] Alice; [6] Anne; [7] Ellen; [8] Elizabeth; [9] Margery; [10] Margaret; [6?] Joane.

The sons in Aungier seem to be consistent with the Visitation, with an additional John who presumably died young and with the heir Edward placed in a central position on the page. The order of the daughters in Aungier appears random. The visitation adds a couple of daughters not mentioned by Aungier (Lettice, Joane) and another Anne, who presumably died young or who has been conflated with Joan.

From the Liber Famelicus of Sir James Whitelocke, written in about 1609 (Sir James was the husband of a Bulstrode descendant.):

Richard Bulstrode, sun of William, was servant to Margaret wife of Henry VI., and after was controller of prince Edward’s house, sun to Edward IV., as appeerethe by bills signed by him under that name, now in my brother Bulstrode’s hand. I conceive that he, being a man plausible, could well tell how to change his service from queeen Margaret to prince Edward, and therfore I gesse he chose the poesye now standing in the windowes at Hedgely, “Do to please” and “Fac placere.” See the prince’s armes in the window.

Richard maryed the daughter and heir of on Knif of Buckinghamshire, by whome he had the enheritance also of Wyot, Clopton, Thorn, being landes of good value about Horton, Colbrook, Langly, and other townes thearabouts in Bukinghamshire.

from the Calendar of Fine Rolls:

1449. March 20.

Commitment to John Norrys esquire, William Norrys his son, William Norrys and Roger Norrys, – by mainprise of Richard Bulstrode of Cokeham, ‘gentilman,’ and Thomas Crychefeld of Bray, ‘gentilman,’ both of the county of Berks, – of the keeping of the lordships of Cokeham and Bray with all their appurtenances; to hold from Easter last for 20 years, at a yearly farm of 101l. ; with clause touching maintenance of houses, enclosures and buildings and support of charges.

By bill of the treasurer.

from the National Archives catalogue:

E 210/4521

John Pury, esquire, kinsman and heir of John atte More to Roger Norys and Richard Bulstrode: Grant, indented, of lands etc, in Bray: Berkshire 28 Hen VI

Date: 1449 Sept 1-1450 Aug 31

C 1/28/386

Bulstrode v Lovyngcote.

Plaintiffs: Richard Bulstrode and Alice his wife.

Defendants: Thomas Lovyngcote, feoffee of Joan atte Water.

Subject: Messuages and land in Goring, Stoke Abbot, Gathampton, and Streatley, and fishings in the Thames. Oxfordshire, Berkshire

Date: 1460-1465

ACC/0928/001/10

Grant of reversion after deaths of William Bokeland and wife Alice

1.William Norys, kt., son and heir of John Norys, deceased

2. William Bulstrods, citizen and clothier, Richard Bulstrode and William Radmyld esq. and Richard Batte, citizen and clothier

Manor of Lytlyngton and advowson of church of same manor.

Witnesses: John Abbot of Chartesey, John Crosby, kt., Richard Aubrey.

Date: 1474

C 1/108/106

Shirbourn v Bulstrode.

Plaintiffs: Robert Shirbourn, clerk.

Defendants: Richard Bulstrode, feoffee to uses.

Subject: Messuages and lands, late of John Stokton of London, knight, in Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont St Peter, Agmondesham, Chesham, Wycombe, and Bishopstone, and `le Merefeld' in the lordship of Finsbury. Buckinghamshire , Middlesex

Date: 1486-1493

from a list of sheriffs of Buckingham (Willis, p. 13):

14. Richard Bulstrode, Esq. Seat, Hedgerley Bulstrode, in Com. Bucks. Arms, Sable, a Bucks Head cabossed Argent, attired Or, pierced through the Nose with an arrow feathered of the third: between his Attire a Cross patee fitchee of the last.

[From the list, it appears that Richard would have been sheriff in about 1473.]

from the Close Rolls:

[1453]

Memorandum of acknowledgment, 11 December.

Thomas Broun esquire, son and heir of Robert Broun of Foulescote co. Berkshire, to John Norrys esquire and Richard Bulstrode, and to the heirs and assigns of John Norrys. Charter with warranty of his lands, rents, reversions, customs and services in the town and parish of Southmorton which descended to him by his said father's death. Witnesses: Robert Harecourt, John Chalers knights, Thomas Dalamer, John Pury esquires, Walter Mace. Dated Southmorton, 20 November 32 Henry VI.

Thomas Broun (as above) to Roger Merlowe and Thomas Kene. Letter of attorney, appointing them to give John Norrys esquire and Richard Bulstrode seisin of all his lands etc. in Southmorton (as above). Dated 20 November 32 Henry VI.

Thomas Broun (as before) to John Norrys esquire and Richard Bulstrode, and to the heirs and assigns of John Norrys. Quitclaim of all lands etc. in Southmorton (as before) which they had jointly by his gift. Dated 11 December 32 Henry VI.

Memorandum of acknowledgment of the foregoing charter and writings, 12 December.

[1460]

Memorandum of acknowledgment, 26 January this year.

Lawrence Smyth of Ever co. Bukingham 'yoman,' to Richard Bulstrode of the parish of Upton co. Buckingham 'gentylman,' William Forde of Ever 'gentylman,' William Norton of Ryslyp co. Middlesex, 'gentylman' and John Gardnere of Ever, their executors and assigns. Gift of all his goods and chattels in the town and parish of Ever and elsewhere within the realm, and all debts to him due by bond and evidences or without them. Dated 10 January, 38 Henry VI.

[1481]

To the escheator in Buckingham. Like order in favour of Elizabeth Wyndesore respecting the manor of Hardemede held by Humphrey Catesby and Joan his wife by service of one knight's fee, paying 6s. 8d. each 24th week in suits or heriets: and Burnham held by Robert Manfeld half a knight's fee for 3s. 8½d. and Horton manor, whereof three fourths are held by William Davers and Alice his wife at 41s. and a quarter by Richard Bulstrode and Alice his wife at 13s. 8d.

Fines 

[1458]

John Norys, esquire, George Danyell, esquire, Edmund Brudenell, William Bulstrode, the elder, and Richard Bulstrode, and Peter Weston, and Agnes, his wife, and Humfrey Hayford, and Florence, his wife. Premises, with a watermill, in Stanwell and Estbedfounte. Anno 36. (Hen. VI)

[1465]

Walter Lyhert, bishop of Norwich, and Richard Bulstrode, and Alice, his wife, and William Norton, and Margaret, his wife. Rents in Ruddisworth and Stanwell, in the county of Middlesex, and in Horton next Colbroke, in the county of Buckingham. Anno 5. (Edw. IV).

[1481]

Richard Bulstrode, esquire, and Alice, his wife, and Nicholas Cleveley, and Cecilia, his wife. Premises in Westminster. Anno 21 (Edw. IV).  

from the inquisition post mortem of Thomas Wyndesore (1 May 1 Hen. VII) [1499]:

One-fourth of the manor of Horton, held by Richard Bulstrode and Alice his wife, in her right, by the payment of 13s. 8d. at Michaelmas and Easter, for all service.

from Richard’s inquisition post mortem (CIPM no. 627):

627- Richard Bulstrode, esquire. 

Writ 11 June, 17 Henry VII ; inquisition 3 December, 18 Henry VII. 

By charter indented, 7 July, 11 Henry VII, he and Alice, his wife, enfeoffed John Mordaunt, gentleman, and Thomas Hawtre, who survive, and John Browne, barrister at law (apprenticium juris), Thomas Ramsey, the elder, Roger Bulstrode, and John Parsone, clerk, since deceased, of the undermentioned manors, &c. by the name of all [their] manors, &c. in the county of Buckingham, with the advowson of the church of Horton when it happen, to the use of divers covenants in certain indentures between Richard Emson, gentleman, of the one, and the said Richard Bulstrode, of the other part, upon a marriage between Edward Bulstrode, son and heir of the said Richard Bulstrode and Mary daughter of the said Richard Emson, specified. 

He died 19 May last. Edward Bulstrode, aged 28 and more, is his son and heir. 

Bucks.  Fourth part of the manor of Horton, worth 6l., held of Andrew Wyndesor, as of his manor of Stanwell, co. Middlesex, by fealty and 13s. 8d. rent yearly, for all service ; with the advowson, as above. 

Manor of Chalvey, with land, &c. there, worth 8l., held of Worley of Upton (sic) by fealty and 1d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Wyrardesbury, worth 5l., held of Elizabeth, queen of England, by fealty and 40s. 3d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Langeley and Colbroke in the parish of Langeley, worth 10l., held of the queen by fealty and 4l. rent yearly, for all service.

Land, &c. in Upton, worth 10l., some of them held of the prior of Marten, by fealty and 40s. rent, for all service, and the residue of the prior of Bustylsham, by fealty and 9s. rent, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Dachett, Fulmer, Stoke and Wexham, worth 10l., held of Edward Hastynges, knight, lord Hastynges, by fealty and 53s. 2d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Chalfont St. Peter, worth 13s. 4d., held of the wardens of the chantry there, by fealty and 16d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Denham, worth 12s., held of Thomas Duredant, by fealty and 6s. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Farneham and Hugeley, or Hugele, worth 20s., some of them held of the earl of Shrewsbury by fealty and 10d. rent yearly, for all service, some of them of the prior of St. John of Jerusalem in England by fealty and 4d. rent yearly, for all service, and the residue of John Buteler, esquire, by fealty and 9d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Burneham, worth 6s. 8d., some of them held of the abbess of Burneham, by fealty and 4d. rent, for all service, some of them of Reynold Bray, knight, by fealty and 13d. rent yearly, for all service, and some of them of John Skydmor, by fealty and 4d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land. &c. in Bekenesfeld, worth 6s. 8d., held of William Michell, by fealty and lOd. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Great (Magna) Missenden, worth 12s., some held of the abbot of Missenden, by fealty and 6s. rent yearly, for all service, and some of William Elmes and Elizabeth, his wife, in her right, by fealty and 15d. rent yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Asshenden, worth 40s., held of the lord of Wodesdon, by fealty and the rent of 1lb. pepper yearly, for all service. 

Land, &c. in Sutton, Thorney and Ever, not specified. 

C. Series II. Vol. 16. (77.) 

from the Berkshire VCH (3: sub Upton-cum-Chalvey).

 The Prior of Merton and Andrew de Chanceus held a third of a knight's fee in Chalvey in 1302, and in 1346 the same land was held in chief by the prior and Nicholas Knife in the proportion of two parts to one.

The prior finally acquired the mesne lordship of the latter's land, as appears from a 16th-century survey, where the free tenants of Upton Manor include Thomas Bulstrode holding land in Chalvey, formerly belonging to Thomas Knife, for rent of 39s. 6d.

References

Ashmole, Elias. The Antiquities of Berkshire volume 3. (1723)

Aungier, George James Aungier. The Hisory and Antiquities of Syon Monastery, the Parish of Isleworth, and the Chapelry of Hounslow (1840).

Burne, Richard V. H. A History of the Parish of Upton-cum-Chalvey, Buckinghamshire, commonly known as Slough. (1913). 

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Henry VII, vol. II (PRO; London, 1915).

Calendar of the close rolls preserved in the Public Record Office--Henry VI. vol. 5, vol. 6; Henry VII vol. 1 (Public Record Office).

Clark, Linda. “Richard Bulstrode (d. 1502)” in The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1422-1461 (Linda Clark ed.) (University of Cambridge Press, 2020). 

The Four Visitations of Berkshire 1532, 1566, 1623, 1665-6; Vol. II Additional Pedigrees and Notes. (W. Harry Rylands, ed.) (Harleian Society vol. LVII; London, 1908).

Gyll, Gordon Willoughby James. HIstory of the Parish of Wraysbury, Ankerwycke, Priory, and Magna Charta Island; with the History of Horton and the Town of Colnbrook, Bucks. (London, 1862).

Hardy, W. J. (William John), and W Page. A calender of the feet of fines for London & Middlesex. (London: 1892-1893)

Hawkyard, A.D.K. “Bulstrode, Francis” in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 (1982).

Liber Famelicus of Sir James Whitelocke, a judge of the court of the King’s Bench. (Camden Society, 1858).

Lipscomb, George. The history and antiquities of the county of Buckingham. vol. IV (London, 1847).

Nichols, John Gough. “Bowyer of Camberwell” in Surrey Archaeological Collections, Volume 3, pages 220 - 226, (London: Lovell Reeve & Co., 1865).

'Parishes: Upton-cum-Chalvey', in A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3, ed. William Page (London, 1925)

The Visitation of the County of Buckingham made in 1634 by John Philipot (W. Harry Rylands, ed.) (Harleian Society V; 1959).

The Visitations of the County of Oxford taken in the years 1566, 1574, and 1634 (W. Harry Rylands, ed.) (Harleian Society LVIII; 1909).

Will of John Norreys of Bray, Berkshire. Proved 1466 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

Willis, Browne. The History and Antiquities of the Town, Hundred, and Deanry of Buckingham. (London: 1755).