Edward Dudley (abt. 1516 - bef. 1542)

Born about 1516 in London, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died before 2 Jul 1542 before about age 26 in St Margaret, Westminster, Middlesex, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susie Officer [send private message]

Biography

The only details we can be certain about for this Edward "Gentleman of City of Westminster, Middlesex" relate to his Burial and Will.

Birth

It is not certain when or where Edward was born. Please refer to Research Notes.

Family

• Parents - uncertain
• Siblings - uncertain
• Wife/s - uknown
• Children - unknown
• Roger Dudley (refer #Will) - identity and relationship uncertain

Please refer to Research Notes.

Occupation

Edward's occupation is unclear. Please refer to Research Notes.

Burial

Edwardus is recorded as having been buried on 2 July 1542 at St Margaret's, Westminster.^[1][2] As his #Will was dated 1 July 1542 and he was buried the following day, he must have died rather suddenly on either the 1st or 2nd of July 1542 - possibly from "hot agues and fluxes" which was an epidemic circulating in London during 1542.^[3][4] It is not clear how old Edward was when he died.

West front of Westminster Abbey with St Margaret's on the left. 1753.

Will

The Will of "Edward (Edwardi) Dudley, Gentleman of City of Westminster, Middlesex" was dated 1 July 1542 and the date of probate was 4 July 1542.^[5]

Will Summary (click here for transcript):^[6]

• ?Edward Hopton Esq, his servant, "a black coat, my ashe-colored coat guarded with velvet, my sword and buckler and gown with two guards of velvet";
• ?John Bray (Refer Research Notes, Occupation) "my horse, saddle and bridle and my new colored coat";
• John Borne "my velvet jacket";
• William Hosbuston "my black chamblet gown";
• John Barons "my satin doublet";
• Several females received small bequests; Anne Barons (redd peticote, upperbodyed with white), Joane Norfolk, Joane Foster and Joane Nicholson;
• A small bequest to the high altar of St Margaret's church;
• The rest of his goods were left to the disposition of Roger Dudley (Refer Research Notes, Family) to do deeds of charity for his soul and all Christain souls.
• Overseer Sir Henry Mote Curate of St Margaret's Westminster, ^[7][8][9] and to Sir Henry for his pains, 20 shillings.
• Witnesses: ?Richard Ivye, Wylliam Massye, John Naven and Thomas Wardall.

Research Notes

While the end of Edward's life is clear, the challenge is to work out his beginning and how he spent his life. It's not currently clear. (Potter-10870 13:51, 22 July 2021 (UTC))

Birth

Edward's profile was created (via GEDCOM Upload) with the birth year of 1516 and death year of 1542; the death year to which this profile has been anchored (noting that no others Wikitree profiles are). This would mean he died when he was 26 years old. However, there is another Edward (Sutton) Dudley given to be born 1516 - possibly a nephew or second cousin of this Edward - who seems to be well researched with dates that appear to be accurate.

No useful mention of an Edward Dudley d. 1542 b. St Margaret's Westminster can be found in any of the usual references.^[10][11][12] So his birth year is uncertain - except that it is unlikely to have been 1516 which the people referred to in his Will also suggest.

Family

Dean Dudley's writing appears to be the most widely used point of reference for this Edward (d. 1542). In his "History of the Dudley Family"^[6] he has this Edward as the 1st son and John as the the 2nd son^[6][13] of:

• Thomas Dudley, citizen and of the Drapers' Company died A.D. 1549 and was reportedly buried at St Michael's Church Cornhill. His Will was dated 18 October 1549 and proved 23 January 1549/50. ^[14]
• Margaret wife of Thomas was mentioned in the Will of her husband and was executrix. There is reportedly a burial in St Michael's Register as "Margaret at Dudley's 29 Jan 1551/2".

John probably belongs with this family (hereafter Dudleys of Cornhill) and although the timing may fit, Edward probably does not given he was not mentioned in Boyd's 1495 or 1535 "Inhabitants of London"^[6][13] as one of the children or family members of the Cornhill Dudleys. This Edward also seems to have no association Cornhill, or St Michael's.

Neither Edward nor John are mentioned in the profiles of the parents (hereafter Dudleys of Yeyworth) they are attached to. So by coincidence, it would seem there are two Dudley couples with a Thomas and Margaret circulating around the same time - the Cornhill Dudleys and the Yeyworth Dudleys - and as the Cornhill Dudleys do not appear to have Wikitree profiles, based on the work of Dean Dudley, it appears Edward and John have ended up with the Yeyworths in error.

The information referenced on the profiles of Thomas & Margaret of Yeyworth apparently comes from W Jackson's "Papers and pedigrees mainly relating to Cumberland and Westmorland V.2" which may be correct, though some dates for the Thomas & Margaret of Cornhill appear to have been incorrectly ascribed to them (eg. Thomas of Cornhill probate date).^[15]

At this stage, it is unknown exactly which Roger Dudley is referenced in this Edward's Will; nor what their relationship is. Discovering this would be key in determining exactly who this Edward is. He could be a brother, nephew, or cousin; father unlikely. He could be the Roger Dudley mentioned in George Adlard's work which, if so, means he would have been a young man (apprentice family member?) at the time of Edward's death/Will.^[16] (Note: There are three profiles Roger Dudley (abt.1550-1586), Roger Dudley, Roger Dudley (1550-1585 which could be involved somehow which require sources &etc).

Based on the content of this Edward's Will it could be assumed he was unmarried and did not have children as he would likely have named them specifically - although if there was as suggested, an epidemic in 1542, it is possible they could have died before him and hence not been mentioned. But the possessions mentioned in his Will seem to indicate a single man without property.

"Sutton" was not used in either the Will or Burial record of this Edward indicating he was either of a cadet branch or not associated with the main John Sutton KG (1400-1487) lineage at all. Though, given the formality of Edward's possessions in his Will, that he was buried at St Margaret's Westminster, which is associated with the Dudley/Sutton lineage^[17][18], and that the names seem to be used interchangeably, then it is likely he does fit into this "Dudley/Sutton" lineage somewhere.

Occupation

There are some indications that this Edward circulated in the Royal Court and/or militia during his life, and possibly still did when he died based on the items he bequeathed. Of note: his horse, sword, buckler and two guards (uniforms?) of velvet. It's unlikely he would have these if he were not serving in some sort of capacity in the Royal Court or military. Perhaps, as a cadet of the family, this Edward ended up as one of the Gentlement-At-Arms^[19] which would explain why he had a horse, sword, Buckler, guards (?uniform), other formal wear; and a "servant". Note that a "servant" in the context of a Gentleman Usher or Gentleman-At-Arms is not a menial servant.^[20] And also note that this Edward was referred to as "Gentleman of City of Westminster, Middlesex" when he died.

There are further hints as to the world he was circulating in with relation to those mentioned in his Will. It's doubtful these connections are incorrect or coincidental:

1. his servant (servunte) ?Edward Hopton Esq (abt.1503-abt.1557), to whom he left "a black coat, my ashe-colored coat guarded with velvet, my sword and buckler and gown with two guards of velvet". When Edward died in 1557 he was referred to as "Gentleman usher of the chamber to King Henry VIII".^[21] Assuming the Edward Hopton suggested is correct, then for him to be this Edward's "servant" means he would likely be younger by 15 or so years supporting the notion that this Edward was born pre-1500. (Note that Edward Hopton's profile suggests he had a son around 1531 so he would have been about 11 when this Edward died. These items could have been bequeathed to him but it's doubtful).
2. he also left his horse, saddle, bridle, and his new colored coat to "John Bray". There are two possibilities re who this John could be:
   • (Doubtful) ?John Bray about twelve years old at the time...who was by 1555 a churchwarden of St Margaret's Westminster^[22] and a member of the Drapers' Company (though not mentioned in Records of London's Livery Companies Online). Unless he could make use of these items, why would he be left them?
   • (Probable) ?John Braye Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms who was a significant military figure of the Tudor period. It is also possible that a relationship existed between the Dudley & Bray families^[23]. Presumably, a horse was a very valuable possession at this time, and if well schooled would be bequeathed only to a very worthy recipient who could use it immediately given the lifespan of a horse...
3. ?Richard Ivye ...a witness...of which not much is known but his profile is managed by the "British Royals and Aristocrats WikiTree".
4. Having Sir Henry Mote as overseer is in itself an indication that this Edward was in some way a member of the nobility or Royal Court.

Note: The Drapers' Company has been emailed with a request for further information regarding this family. Especially due to the Cornhill Dudley Tailors and because there is mention of a Roger Dudley in London Roll as being a Master Draper in 1593 (this one perhaps ?Roger Dudley, who is probably not of the right generation to be the one mentioned in the Will), but perhaps descended. And in 1492, according to the Medieval Londoners Database, an Edward Dudley, Tailor, was "Licensed by the Tailors to open a shop."^[24] There does appear to be a general family association with Drapers/Tailors re the Dudley family so more research is required to rule associations to this Edward in/out. And to examine which John Bray (referred to in Edward's Will) may be associated.

Possible Sightings

There is an Edward Dudley, son of Lord Edward Dudley^[25], mentioned as being "sewer^[26] of the King's chamber" in a National Archives UK Catalogue of papers dating between 1492 and 1547.^[27][28][29] The timing of the involved proceedings is not known, nor what goods Edward was trying to get back. It's also not currently clear which of the King's (Henry VII or VIII) chambers he was of. However, as the most likely Lord Edward Dudley died in 1531, then the proceedings must have happened sometime after that. If this Edward was the referenced sewer, a birth year of around 1495 is more likely than 1516, putting him around 40 when the proceedings were instigated and about 50 when he died. This Edward to Edward relationship and timing does not seem to belong anywhere else but it can't be assigned as yet to this Edward.^[11] Note: Wikipedia has Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex being appointed Lord Sewer at the coronation of Henry VIII of England in 1509 and associated with "sewing". This is contradicted by Regia Insignia (1819)^[30] which says "The office of the Sewer is to place the Dishes properly on the Table".

A Mr Dudley is mentioned as a "diverse officer" in 1525/6 in King Henry VIII's household, in the ordinances made at Eltham.^[31] Of interest is the reference to "Mr" given this Edward was termed "Gentleman" when he died. It is fairly likely that if this was one of the more titled Dudley's, then this entry would have Lord or Sir Dudley etc. This could be this Edward but it's not certain as yet.

Conclusion

The conclusion is that this Edward is attached to the incorrect parents and that this may be the correct Edward Sutton (1497-) (also created via GEDCOM upload and currently unsourced). This Edward should probably be merged into his profile. But this should not happen until a systematic review is undertaken of the Edmund Sutton (abt.1425-bef.1486) descendants; given the number of GEDCOM and unsourced profiles surrounding him. This individual could of course be completely independent of the "famous" Dudley/Sutton family. Understanding the Roger Dudley connection is key. But we may never know.

Notes:

• Birth year possibly c1495.
• Possibly the son of Edward Sutton KG, KB (abt.1456-1531) and Cicely (Willoughby) Sutton (abt.1466-1539). One of the youngest and not mentioned in any of the usual references. Potentially illegitimate.
• No marriage, no children.
• At some stage possibly in service to either King Henry VII or VIII or both. Potentially initially as a "sewer" and then militia, perhaps a member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms.
• Death and Will details correct. Died, probably of an epidemic disease, about 50, without property but of a noble family and buried with them in St Margaret's Westminster.

Other

• Thomas and Margaret Dudley of Cornhill probably need to be created and John should probably be attached to them. It is unknown how/if they relate to this Edward.

• There are two other Edwards that need to be sourced/reviewed and potentially merged;

1. Edward Dudley (1542-1542)
2. Edward Dudley (bef.1499-abt.1549).

• A quick search in both Shaw Volume's has not uncovered the record of Sir Henry Mote's dubbing.

• Profiles need to be researched/created for those mentioned in Edward's Will.

• Click here to go to Edward's Space for transcriptions, images and documents
  

Sources

1. ↑ First name(s) Edwardus, Last name Dudley, Age -, Birth year -, Death year 1542, Death date ? ? 1542, Burial year 1542, Burial date 02 Jul 1542, Burial place St Margaret, Westminster, County Middlesex, Country England. FindMyPast online database. Westminster Archives Transcriptions © brightsolid online publishing. (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FD%2F490824342%2F1). Subscription Required. Accessed 17 July 2021.
2. ↑ Burials. 2 July 1542, Memorials of St. Margaret's church, Westminister, comprising the parish registers, 1539-1660, and other churchwardens' accounts, 1460-1603 by Westminister, Eng. St. Margaret's parish; Burke, Arthur Meredyth The Internet Archive online. Page 377. (https://archive.org/details/memorialsofstmar00westrich/page/376/mode/2up?q=Edwardus+dudley). Accessed 17 July 2021.
3. ↑ The Medico-chirurgical Review. United Kingdom: S. Highley, 1832. Google Books online. Page 246. (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_Medico_chirurgical_Review/3wccAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=london+1542+hot+agues+and+fluxes&pg=PA246&printsec=frontcover). Accessed 18 July 2021.
4. ↑ ON OLD LONDON : ITS INSANITARY CONDITIONS AND ITS EPIDEMIC DISEASES. By Sir WILLIAM R. E. SMART, K.C.B., M.D., Hon. Physician to the Queen. (Read: Dec. 10th, 1884.) Semantic Scholar; a free, AI-powered research tool for scientific literature, based at the Allen Institute for AI. Page 16. (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6c37/4b6d353a02b36eb634ff03422f8218ebf8df.pdf). Accessed 18 July 2021.
5. ↑ Will of Edward Dudley, Gentleman of City of Westminster, Middlesex, Reference: PROB 11/29/145, Date: 04 July 1542. The National Archives UK Online. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D950091). Accessed 17 July 2021.
   

   Image:Images for Edward Dudley.pdf

   Click the link above to access a PDF copy of the Will.

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} "A Dudley Family of Westminster and London, Eng.", History of the Dudley family : with genealogical tables, pedigrees, &c. by Dudley, Dean, 1823-1906, (Number VII). Publication date 1886. The Internet Archive online. Pages 733-734. (https://archive.org/details/historyofdudleyf06dudl/page/732/mode/2up). Accessed 17 July 2021.
7. ↑ List of Clergy. Westminster: Memorials of the City, Saint Peter's College, the Parish Churches, Palaces, Streets, and Worthies By Mackenzie Edward Charles Walcott · 1849. Google Books online. Page 119. (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Westminster_Memorials_of_the_City_Saint/mQcNAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=sir+henry+mote+curate+westminster&pg=PA119&printsec=frontcover). Accessed 18 July 2021.
8. ↑ Burials. 7 October 1556, Memorials of St. Margaret's church, Westminister, comprising the parish registers, 1539-1660, and other churchwardens' accounts, 1460-1603 by Westminister, Eng. St. Margaret's parish; Burke, Arthur Meredyth, The Internet Archive online. Page 397. (https://archive.org/details/memorialsofstmar00westrich/page/396/mode/2up?q=Henry+mote). Accessed 17 July 2021.
9. ↑ Description: Will of Sir Henry Mote, Curat of Saint Margaret Westminster, Middlesex, Reference: PROB 11/38/164, Date: 20 October 1556. The National Archives UK Online. (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D954373). 17 July 2021.
10. ↑ Burke, Bernard. A Genealogical History of the Dormant: Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire. United Kingdom: Harrison, 1866.Google Books online. Page 521. (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/A_Genealogical_History_of_the_Dormant/K3MaAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA521&printsec=frontcover). Accessed 23 July 2021.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Cokayne, George Edward, 1825-1911 Volume 4. FamilySearch International online. Page 480 and 481 (481 specifically re Admon William Lynde). (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/541856-the-complete-peerage-of-england-scotland-ireland-great-britain-and-the-united-kingdom-extant-extinct-or-dormant-vol-4?viewer=1&offset=0#page=486&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=dudley). Accessed 23 July 2021.
12. ↑ Richardson = nothing coherent due to online access rights.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Thomas Dudley in 1495 Boyd's Inhabitants Of London & Family Units 1200-1946 London, England. FindMyPast online database. Society of Genealogists copyright Society of Genealogists. (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBOR%2FBIL%2FSOG28%2F0064&parentid=GBPRS%2FBIL%2F00151654). Subscription Required. Accessed 17 July 2021.
14. ↑ Will of Thomas Dudley of London, Reference: PROB 11/82/417, Date: 30 October 1593. The National Archives UK Online. (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D929391). Accessed 17 July 2021.
15. ↑ Papers and pedigrees mainly relating to Cumberland and Westmorland V.2, Jackson, William. Owning Institution Midwest Genealogy Center, Publisher Digital FamilySearch International. Page 131. (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/105887-papers-and-pedigrees-mainly-relating-to-cumberland-and-westmorland-v-2?viewer=1&offset=0#page=143&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=dudley). Accessed 20 July 2021.
16. ↑ Roger Dudley. Introductory Remarks, The Sutton-Dudleys of England and the Dudleys of Massachusetts in New England. From the Norman conquest to the present time by Adlard, George. [from old catalog] Publication date 1862. The Internet Archive online. Pages XIV-XVI (or 37-39) and throughout the book (see Further Reading below). (https://archive.org/details/suttondudleysen00adlagoog/page/n36/mode/2up?q=roger). Accessed 18 July 2021.
17. ↑ Mary, Lady Dudley and Lord Dudley, Monument, St Margaret's Church, Westminster. (https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/mary-lady-dudley-lord-dudley). Accessed 19 July 2021.
18. ↑ Merritt, J. F.., Merritt, Bill. The Social World of Early Modern Westminster: Abbey, Court and Community, 1525-1640 (Politics, Culture and Society in Early Modern Britain). United Kingdom: Manchester University Press, 2005. Google Books online. Page 55. (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_Social_World_of_Early_Modern_Westmin/LyT0GPWWkFIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=henry+mote+curate+of+st+margaret%27s+westminster&pg=PA61&printsec=frontcover). Accessed 18 July 2021.
19. ↑ Regia Insignia, pages 1-2.
20. ↑ Regia Insignia, pages 13 & 38.
21. ↑ Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. I, p. 311. Google Books online. (https://books.google.vg/books?id=8JcbV309c5UC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_vpt_read#v=snippet&q=1557%20hopton&f=false). Accessed 18 July 2021.
22. ↑ Foxe, John., Cumming, John. Fox's Book of Martyrs: The Acts and Monuments of the Church. United Kingdom: G. Virtue, 1844. Page 153. (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Fox_s_Book_of_Martyrs/P5MLAAAAIAAJ?q=&gbpv=1#f=false:The). Accessed 19 July 2021.
23. ↑ Regia Insignia, pages 38 & 39.
24. ↑ Medieval Londoners Database, New York: Fordham University (accessed: 7/29/2021) (https://mld.ace.fordham.edu/v2/s/mld/person?id=13799). Accessed 29 July 2021.
25. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edward_Sutton,_2nd_Baron_Dudley&oldid=1033138248 (accessed July 21, 2021). Note: his son Edward is missing from this article.
26. ↑ Regia Insignia, page 57, notes section.
27. ↑ Note: a copy has not yet been requested. Description: Edward Dudley, sewer of the King's chamber, v William Lynd: goods of the late Lord Dudley, complainant's father. Reference: REQ 2/9/172. Between 1492 and 1547 [Standard surname: Lind]. The National Archives UK online. (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9260419). Accessed 20 July 2021.
28. ↑ Proceedings in the Court of Requests. Indexes: Henry VII to Elizabeth I. United States: Kraus Reprint Corporation, 1964. Google Books online. Pages 146 (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Proceedings_in_the_Court_of_Requests_Ind/pG7-Oez12KsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=edward+dudley+sewer+of+the+king%27s+chamber&pg=PA146&printsec=frontcover). 20 July 2021.
29. ↑ Lists and Indexes. United States: Kraus Reprint Corps., 1963. Google Books online. Page 86. (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Lists_and_Indexes/7O8MAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=edward+dudley+sewer+of+the+king%27s+chamber&pg=PA86&printsec=fron651). Accessed 20 July 2021.
30. ↑ Regia Insignia, page 57, refer notes section.
31. ↑ The Eltham Ordinances. A collection of ordinances and regulations for the government of the royal household, made in divers reigns : from King Edward III to King William and Queen Mary, also receipts in ancient cookery by Society of Antiquaries of London, Publication date 1790. The Internet Archive online. Page 201. (https://archive.org/details/collectionofordi00soci/page/200/mode/2up?q=dudley). Accessed 20 July 2021.

• Gentlemen Regia insignia : or, An account of the King's honourable band of gentlemen pensioners, or gentlemen at arms by Thiselton, William Mathew. The Internet Archive online. (https://archive.org/details/regiainsigniaora00thisuoft/mode/2up). Accessed 20 July 2021.

Further Reading:

• History of the Dudley family : with genealogical tables, pedigrees, &c. by Dudley, Dean, 1823-1906 (https://archive.org/details/historyofdudleyf06dudl/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater)

• "Well Attended with Waiting Men": The Households of the Higher Clergy in the Early Sixteenth Century by David Lepine (https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/44946972.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Aa9f56b37fdb2008d570fb93a88d5ce80)

Acknowledgements

This profile has been improved by a member of the England Project's Orphan Trail.