Francis Constable (bef. 1592 - 1647)

Born before 14 May 1592 in Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Alice (Unknown) Constable — married 1614 in England

Descendants

Died 1 Aug 1647 after age 55 in Westminster, Middlesex, England

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Biography

Birth and Early Years

Francis Constable was most likely born in 1592 in the parish of Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England, where he was baptised on 14 May 1592.^[1]

His father was Robert Constable^[1] and his mother was Marjory Barker, daughter of Christopher Barker.^[2]

The parish of Datchet lies on the northern side of the River Thames, about 20 miles west of the City of London and three miles east of Windsor. Christopher Barker, Francis's maternal grandfather, had retired there in 1588, to his manor at Southley (aka Sudeley).

His mother, Marjory, died in 1593, according to McCarty & Much (2005), who consulted the parish registers of Datchet. Francis was just nine months old.^[2]

With young children to raise, it's likely that his father Robert would have remarried. If he did, no record of this marriage has yet been found.

Similarly, no records have yet been found for the death of his father Robert Constable. But his death must have occurred sometime before 7 December 1607, as he was recorded as deceased when Francis's elder brother Robert was bound as an apprentice, to their uncle, Robert Barker.^[3]

Apprenticeship and Freedom

With their father dead, Robert Barker no doubt helped secure future of the Constable children using his connections with the Company of Stationers. On 16 November 1606, Francis's sister Elizabeth Constable married Edward Bishop, a bookseller and member of the Stationers' Company. George Bishop, a relative of Edward, had been one of Christopher Barker's deputies (along with Robert Barker), so there were long-standing professional connections between the families.

It is likely that Francis started his apprenticeship soon after this, aged about 14 years, following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather and uncle. However, no record of his being formally bound as an apprentice has been found.

While the identity of the stationer under whom Francis served his apprenticeship is not recorded, a significant clue is provided by the fact that the two men who presented Francis to the Stationers' Company when he was made free were his brother-in-law, Edward Bishop, and Edward's relative, Thomas Adams.^[2] Adams and Bishop, both booksellers, were business partners from time to time,^[4] so it is likely that Francis worked with them both to some extent. Both had premises at St Paul's Churchyard in the City of London. Thomas Adams was at the Sign of the Bell, where he had moved in 1604, having previously been at the Sign of the White Lion. Thomas was a senior member of the Company, twice serving as Warden during Francis's apprenticeship.^[5] Edward Bishop had his premises at the the Sign of the Brazen Serpent.^[4]

On 2 July 1614, his apprenticeship complete, Francis was made free of the Company of Stationers.^[6] He was 22 years old. His elder brother Robert was also gained his freedom, just a few months later.^[6]

Francis remained close with both Thomas Adams and Edward Bishop. For example, Thomas was the godfather of his second child, Sarah, bequeathing her three pounds in his will.^[7] Edward Bishop directly mentioned Francis in his will:^[8]

I give and bequeath unto my brother Francis Constable Stationer Fortie shillinges to make him a ringe.

Marriage and Children

Having completed his apprenticeship, Francis was able to marry, which he must have done fairly soon after becoming a freeman, as his eldest child was baptised in September 1615. Francis's wife was Alice (surname unknown). A marriage record for Francis and Alice has not been found, but it was common for people to marry within the Livery Company to which they or their family belonged. Thus there is a reasonable chance that Alice's father was a member of the Stationers' Company.

Francis and Alice had fifteen children in just sixteen years (see baptism/burial records on relevant child's profile):

1. Alice (c.1615 - ?)
2. Sarah (c.1617 - ?)
3. Joan (c.1618 - ?)
4. Mary (c.1619 - ?)
5. Elizabeth (c.1620 - ?)
6. Anne (c.1622 - ?)
7. Margaret (c.1623 - ?)
8. Rachel (c.1624 - 1624)
9. Simon (c.1625 - 1627)
10. Robert (twin) (c.1626 - 1626)
11. Roger (twin) (c.1626 - 1626)
12. Alice (c.1628 - ?)
13. Frances (c.1629 - ?)
14. Rachel (c.1630 - ?)
15. Robert (c.1631 - 1647)

Seven of their first eight children (all girls) were baptised in the parish of St Gregory by St Paul's in the City of London. The parish church directly abutted St Paul's Cathedral and was thus very close to Francis's business premises in the churchyard of St Paul's. In all likelihood, Francis and his family lived above their shop.

Fourth daughter, Mary, was baptised at Enfield, Middlesex. At that time Enfield was a separate village, ten miles north of London. There was obviously some family connection to Enfield, as Francis's brother-in-law Edward Bishop had been buried there just three months previously.

In September 1624, daughter Rachel was baptised at St Gregory by St Paul's. Three months later, she was buried at Mitcham, Surrey (about 9 miles southwest of the City of London). The connection of the Constables to Mitcham is not known.

Eldest son (ninth child), Simon, was baptised at Datchet in 1625. Like many Londoners, Alice and the children had no doubt sought refuge from an epidemic of the bubonic plague which swept through the city that year, killing about 35,000 people. Francis may have stayed to look after his business, although it is doubtful there was much business to be done as citizens laid low to avoid the contagion.

When the family returned, they were living in the parish of St Andrew Undershaft, about one mile to the east of St Paul's. This is where their last six children were baptised.

Early Career

Key to the success of any stationer in seventeenth century London was the ability to obtain the rights to publish certain books. The rights to publish a work were recorded in the Stationers' Register, after payment of a fee, effectively an early form of copyright. Francis Constable's first entry in the Register on 13 January 1614/5 was for the play Hymen's Triumph. He paid sixpence to register the right, which was the standard fee.^[9]

Just six weeks later, on 1 March 1614/5, Francis was in trouble for not respecting copyright. He appeared before the Stationers' Court with three others, charged with printing a book which was under copyright to another stationer. All four were ordered to pay a fine of three pounds (15 pence each).^[10] The fine was paid on 6 March 1614/5.^[11]

On 7 July 1615, and again on 21 August and 20 December, Francis unsuccessfully applied to the Court for a share in the stock of the Stationers' common publishing companies.^[12][13][14] He was eventually successful on 6 March 1616/7, receiving a half of a yeomanry part.^[15] He received a second half-part on 2 August 1617.^[16] On 2 March 1617/8, Francis was elected as one of the stockkeepers, along with five others.^[17]

On 27 June 1620, Francis's share was upgraded, when he received a livery part in the English stock, which had been surrendered by his widowed sister Elizabeth Bishop.^[18] Francis's yeomanry part was that same day assigned to another stationer, George Latham.^[19]

On 3 November 1617, Francis borrowed 50 pounds from the Stationers' Company, presumably to invest in building up his business.^[20] He paid the money back on 6 August 1621.^[21] A month later, on 3 September 1621, Francis assigned his shares in the Latin, Irish and Grammar stocks (joint publishing companies of the Stationers') to John Waterson.^[21] While there is no direct evidence that the assigning of the stock relates to the paying back of the loan, one cannot help but wonder if John Waterson had provided some or all of the 50 pounds to Francis, in return for his shares in the aforementioned companies.

Sometime in about 1618, Francis became a Master Stationer, as from early 1619 onwards he is referred to as "Master" in the records of the Stationers' Company.^[22]

On 28 April 1619, Francis partnered with Richard Higgenbotham on the rights for a play called The Maid's Tragedy.^[22] Francis and Richard were obviously friends as well as business partners; perhaps not always being as attentive as they should have been to the expectations of the Stationers' Company. On 1 March 1621/22, Francis Constable and Richard Higgenbotham appeared before the Stationers' Court and were fined 12 pence each "for being in the bowling Alley, when they should have been hearing of the Ordinances Read."^[23] They paid their fine a few days later on 4 March 1621/2.^[24]

Financial Difficulties

In the early 1630s, Francis was 200 pounds in debt to his elder brother Robert . On 14 January 1631/2, he appeared before the Court of the Stationers' Company to provide security for the debt, which was to be paid back with interest of 8%. Francis's share of the "English Stock" (the Stationers' joint publishing company for English works) was assigned to Robert for two years, during which time he (Robert) would enjoy any benefits from the stock.^[25]

These financial difficulties would ultimately lead to a protracted dispute with the Stationers' Company, hindering his progression.

Renter Warden Dispute

The Court of the Stationers' Company was a key institution in the lives of the printers and booksellers of the City of London. Many aspects of professional life were heavily regulated, and the Court had considerable power to both advance and slow the progression of individual members.

Serving in official capacities was an important part of career advancement in a Livery Company. On 27 March 1633, Francis Constable did not attend Court, despite having been asked to do so. For this reason, and "other causes", he was passed over for the role of Renter Warden.^[26] A year later, he received his opportunity, being appointed Renter Warden on 26 March 1634.^[27]

In 1635, Francis was chosen once again fufill the office of Renter Warden for the ensuing year. It was common practice to be asked to serve a second year in the role. It was also common practice that those who did not wish to serve could request to be "admitted to fine" by the Court, making a payment in lieu of serving. There was no stigma around paying this sort of fine; indeed being able to pay a fine to avoid serving in a relatively junior office was typically seen as a sign of the success and prosperity of the member. Francis made his request to be excused to the Court on 26 March 1635, which duly fined him 24 pounds. Four other men who requested to be excused from serving as Renter Warden that year were similarly fined.^[28]

But Francis was unable to pay his fine, resulting in the stagnation of his position within the Stationers' Company.

On 29 March 1638 he appeared before the Stationers' Court to demand that he be given his proper place within the hierarchy of the Company. The Court was unsympathetic, noting that it had already treated him favourably by not actively enforcing payment of his 24 pound fine, out of respect for his "great Charge of Children". He was ordered to take his place sitting next to the Renter Wardens.^[29]

Francis was clearly upset at being asked to sit with more junior members of the Company doing a role he had completed several years previously. The implication from the Court was clear. His career would not progress until the issue of the unpaid fine was resolved.

He subsequently petitioned the Lord Mayor of London to resume his place within the Company. This led to a hearing before the Stationers' Court on 27 August 1638, the Lord Mayor having suggested that the Court bring forward those that had served as Renter Wardens or paid their fines since Francis had served his year in the role, to try and persuade them to let him resume his place. But the four relevant parties (two who had served, two who had paid the fine) would not assent.^[30]

Despite these objections, on 5 October 1638, the Court ruled that Francis could resume his place in the Company. It also remitted his fine, having regard to his "weake Estate & great charge of Children and having served one year as Rentor".^[31]

The stagnation of Francis Constable's career in the 1630s due to his financial and legal difficulties can be seen in his relative placing in to two lists of members of the Stationers' Company. In a list prepared in 1632, he is shown as being ninth in precedence in the livery.^[32] Six years later, in a list dated 20 October 1638, he has moved up just one place, to eighth in precedence in the livery.^[33] Meanwhile, many of his contemporaries from the 1632 list are recorded as being Assistants or in other senior positions within the Company.

Business Premises

Francis's first premises, from 1616-1624, were at the Sign of the White Lion, in St Paul's Churchyard, which had been occupied by Thomas Adams sometime previously. In 1631 he was still in the Churchyard, but at the Sign of the Crane. By 1637 he had moved slightly west to premises under St Martin's Church, Ludgate. In 1640, he was at the Sign of the Goat on King Street, Westminster. Then, also in 1640, he was at Westminster Hall.^[34]

Apprentices

Despite not yet being a Master Stationer, Francis took on his first apprentice just one month after gaining his freedom. Over the course of his career, he had five apprentices:^[35]

• Richard Thrale (bound 1 August 1614, transferred to John Harrison 29 May 1620)
• John Allen (bound 6 August 1623, freed 4 October 1630)
• Thomas Rounthwaite (bound 24 June 1624, freed ?)
• John Maynard (bound 9 June 1628, freed 20 July 1635)
• William Clarke (bound 6 February 1632, freed 20 March 1639)

Death and Legacy

Francis Constable died on 1 August 1647, as recorded in Smyth's Obituary:^[36]

Aug. 1 [1647] Franc. Constable, bookseller at Westminster, died

The register of St Margaret's, Westminster, where Francis was buried the following day, notes that he died of the plague:^[37]

2 [August 1647] Mrs.[sic] Frances Cunstable, pl.

His wife Alice was buried two days later, on 4 August 1647. Son Robert was buried on 28 August 1647. Both also died of the plague and were buried at St Margaret's, Westminster.^[37]

A footnote in the published parish register claims that Francis Constable had his will proved on 11 August 1647 before the Peculiar Court of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.^[37] However, the Indexes to the Ancient Testamentary Records of Westminster, reference only an Act of Administration with regards to Francis. In any case, according to the Index, wills from this period are no longer extant.^[38]

On 17 February 1647/8, Richard Thale registered rights to 20 works that he had purchased from the Administrators of the estate of Alice Constable, which had previously belonged to Francis Constable. The entry lists the Administrators as being Anthony Savage, Mary, Frances and Rachel Constable.^[39]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N5N2-R3T : 19 September 2020), Frannc. Cunstable, 1592.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} William M. McCarty & Kathleen Much, The McCartys of the Northern Neck: 350 Years of a Virginia Family (Gateway Press, 2005) p. 180; Google Books (https://books.google.com : accessed 2 November 2020) snippet view.
3. ↑ D. F. McKenzie, "A List of Printers' Apprentices, 1605-1640," Studies in Bibliography 13 (1960): 109-141, specifically 114; image copy, JSTOR (https://www.jstor.org/stable/40371278 : accessed 8 November 2020).
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} R. B. McKerrow (ed.), A Dictionary of Printers and Booksellers in England, Scotland and Ireland, and of Foreign Printers of English Books 1557-1640 (London: The Bibliographical Society, 1910) p. 35; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 7 November 2020).
5. ↑ McKerrow, A Dictionary of Printers and Booksellers ... 1557-1640, p. 2.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Edward Arber (ed.), A Transcript of the Registers of the Worshipful Company of Stationers: 1554-1640 A.D. Volume III (London: 1876) p. 319; HathiTrust (https://babel.hathitrust.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
7. ↑ Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will Register: Soame, quire number 37, folio 294 recto, will of Thomas Adams, proved 4 May 1620; "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 November 2020), Image 602 of 1053 (subscription); citing class PROB 11, piece 135; The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
8. ↑ Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will Register: Parker, quire number 74, folio 17 recto, will of Edward Bishoppe, proved 30 July 1619; "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 November 2020), Image 36 of 756 (subscription); citing class PROB 11, piece 134; The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
9. ↑ Arber, A Transcript of the Registers of the Worshipful Company of Stationers: 1554-1640 A.D. Volume III, p. 258.
10. ↑ William A. Jackson (ed.), Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640 (London: The Bibliographical Society, 1957) p. 73; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
11. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 456.
12. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 76.
13. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 77.
14. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 79.
15. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 85.
16. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 94.
17. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 98.
18. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 123.
19. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 124.
20. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 97.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 137.
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} Arber, A Transcript of the Registers of the Worshipful Company of Stationers: 1554-1640 A.D. Volume III, p. 301.
23. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 143.
24. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 467.
25. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 235.
26. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 247.
27. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 255.
28. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 267.
29. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 306.
30. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 314.
31. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 315.
32. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 422.
33. ↑ Jackson, Records of the Court of the Stationers' Company 1602 to 1640, p. 428.
34. ↑ Henry Robert Plomer, A Dictionary of the Booksellers and Printers Who Were at Work in England, Scotland and Ireland from 1641-1667 (London: Bibliographical Society, 1907) p. 51; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
35. ↑ Institute of Historical Research, Records of London's Livery Companies Online (https://www.londonroll.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
36. ↑ Henry Ellis (ed.), The Obituary of Richard Smyth, Secondary of the Poultry Compter, London : Being a Catalogue of All Such Persons as He Knew in Their Life : Extending from A.D. 1627 to A.D. 1674. (The Camden Society, 1849) p. 24; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
37. ↑ ^{37.0 37.1 37.2} Arthur Meredyth Burke (ed.), Memorials of St. Margaret's Church, Westminister, Comprising the Parish Registers, 1539-1660, and other Churchwardens' Accounts, 1460-1603. (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1914) p. 616; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
38. ↑ Arthur Meredyth Burke, Indexes to the Ancient Testamentary Records of Westminster (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1913) p. 18; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 8 November 2020).
39. ↑ A Transcript of the Registers of the Worshipful Company of Stationers: 1640-1708 A.D. in Three Volumes: Volume 1 1640-1655 (London: 1913) p. 289; Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 8 November 2020).

See also:

• Wikipedia: Francis Constable
• Wikidata: Item Q5480594