Robert Aylett (abt. 1583 - 1655)

Born about 1583 in Rivenhall, Essex, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Judith (Gaell) Aylett — married 23 Jan 1610 in Hadleigh, Suffolk, England

Died 15 Mar 1655 at about age 72 in England [uncertain]

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Robert Aylett is Notable.

Biography

Robert Aylett was born about 1583 ^[1] and his parents were Ann (Pater) and Leonard Aylett (c1544-c1612) of Rivenhall, Essex, England.

About 1585 his father and uncle, Richard Aylett (c1540-c1602) were friends with John Lambe, Sr. (yeoman of Great Braxted), who, at his death asked them to take responsibility for the four Lambe children, all still under the age of 21. ^[2] So It seems probable that Robert's own career direction was influenced by his cousin, Sir John Lambe, Jr. (Master of the Arches) and his career benefited from his cousin's patronage.

He was educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, graduating in 1605 with a B.A. and an M.A. in 1608 at Oxford, and LL.D in 1614. ^[3]

He married three times but had no children. However it appears that he brought up the children of his older brother Leonard, who was ruined by a Star Chamber libel case ^[4] wherein he lost most of his funds. Leonard died in 1631 apparently with no financial resources; and was buried at Feering, Essex, England ^[5] Robert seemed especially close to John, Leonard's third and youngest son, with whom he made several land deals. Both John and his eldest brother William named sons Robert. One of Leonard's daughters, Sarah, seems to have married William Gael, who was likely to have been a relative of Robert's second wife.

In 1617 he was elected to Doctors Commons.

While living at Feering, ^[6] he acted for the archdeacon of Colchester and as a justice of the peace. ^[7]

In Essex, England he also acted as commissary for the Bishop of London, and judge of the Commissary Court.

In 1628 Archbishop Laud appointed Dr. Robert Aylett to the court of high commission in order to implement Laud's religious reforms. Robert held a variety of posts under Laud's patronage, chiefly in the strongly Puritan county of Essex, which was renowned for its radical Calvinist promoters. One of his commissions was to visit churches said to have removed their altar rails and demand they be replaced - not a popular requirement in more puritan churches. Though he reported on Puritans to the court of high commission, he does not seem to have made enemies in the way his cousin did.

After the death of Feering cleric, John White, about 1630 ^[8] Robert seems to have moved to the Great Braxted church. This was under the control of the local big land owners, the Ayloffes (unrelated to the Ayletts in origin), who were enthusiastic royalists. Sir Benjamin Ayloffe was a witness to Robert's 1655 Will, suggesting a close relationship In spite of the political issue, as Robert's career with the government continued into the Commonwealth.

He was a religious poet and about 1634, a "docter of the civill law" (lawyer).

From 1638 to 1655 he was a master of the high court of Chancery and was recorded as involved in many judgements, some related to the Admiralty Court which dealt with ships and naval personnel.

In February 1641, Dr. Aylett was one of several of Laud's contingent involved in impeachment proceedings, although he personally escaped formal action ^[9] Laud's reforms to the Anglican Church were widely interpreted as a return to Catholicism ^[10] and Laud himself was executed in 1644.

In 1642 he became Master of the Faculties at Oxford. This was the point at which the King had finally broken with Parliament and raised his standard at Oxford. This could have been viewed as an inducement to joined the King's party; however in spite of this, Robert does not appear to have done so.

He acted first for the House of Lords, carrying messages to the Commons among other activities, and on their abolition, for the House of Commons. A man of Calvinist convictions, he continued to serve under Cromwell until his death. However his friendship with Sir Benjamin Ayloffe and the marriage of his nephew, John, to Alice Roberts, daughter of another local royalist, paint a complex picture of his politics.

In the late 1640s and early 1650s, a complex legal case took place involving Robert, his eldest nephew, William, and people connected to the Will of Henry Bachelor of Colchester, whose daughter William had married. ^[11] In it Robert states that William is his nominated heir, and that he had provided a wedding settlement for him when he married in 1630 to Mary Bachelor. This involved a recognisance for £2000 (a very large sum for a non aristocrat), copyhold lands in Feeling, and an annuity of £100 pounds a year for William. After two years Mary had died along with her new born daughter and William had married Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Barrington) and sister of his son; also Henry, a very prominent figure in Colchester politics and a Cromwellian Minister of Parliament. It appears that William had assumed the settlement could be passed to his new father-in-law, but Robert disagreed, possibly because he wanted to support his youngest nephew, John, who also married soon before 1647.

In 1655 he left a short Will saying he was "of St.Dunstan in the West" ^[12] a parish around Fleet Street in the City of London; and asked for burial in the churchyard of Great Braxted, the place to be designated by the landowner, Sir Benjamin Ayloffe (of Great Braxted Hall), who presumably had control over such things.

He died on 15 March 1655 but it not clear whether he died in London, England (where he no doubt had a dwelling convenient for his work) or whether he died at his dwelling in Feering called "Feeringbury", a property of the Bishopric of London. He was buried inside the parish church of Great Braxted, Essex, England with an elaborate monument ^[1] constructed by his youngest nephew, John Aylett.

Marriages

His own marriages were summarised in the mouth of the characters in a poem, an eclogue, taking the form of a discussion between shepherds Tityrus (representing Robert), Battus and Dorus. ^[13]

His first unnamed wife died about 1608, soon after their marrriage, which was mentioned in the above cited poem ...

Dorus:

177 This of thy second wife, how proud the first?


178 Then all for better taken were and worst, 


Tityrus:

1
79 That which at first her friends and she did fear,

180 Was manifest to us within the Year; 


181 A Hectick Feaver her deni'd of breath,

182 She was unparellel'd in Life and Death.

Robert Aylett married secondly on 23 Jan 1610 in Hadleigh, Suffolk, England to Judith Gael, of Hadleigh. ^{[14] [15] [16]}

In 1623 Robert erected an interesting brass mural at the Feering Parish church in memory of his second wife. ^[17]

Robert eulogised his second wife, Judith, at much greater length in the above cited poem, which included some of the text from the tablet ...

65 I being young and of my self inclin'd

66 To add a second body to my minde,

67 First by the Eyes was catcht, then by the Ears,

68 For that admir'd sweet consort of the sphears,

69 To Hers fictitious was; an Angels voice

70 In Ivory case did ev'n my soul rejoyce;

71 A Western gale blew me on this good hap

72 Jove never showr'd gold in a softer lap.

73 Our wooing was not long, mine and her friends,

74 Our fancies had dispos'd to self same ends,

75 So I soon that great Kesars fortune run

76 I came, I saw her and was overcome.

77 No sooner I enjoy her but I finde

78 Her beauteous out-side was unto her minde

79 No other then a prison, which the rays

80 Of Light Celestiall all within begays,

81 To hear her talking was a miracle,

82 Yet all she uttered was an Oracle;

83 With sweetest gracefull looks she all would teach,

84 A good Divine she was yet would not preach;

85 So pious that mine heart began to faint,

86 Fearing I for a Wife had got a Saint.

...

109 Shee free obedience offered me as Head,

110 Ther all Honour at my board and bed;

111 She wholsome meat, not costly, made my diet,

112 My Coat was even a Paradise of quiet:

113 When 'mongst the shepheardesses she was seen,

114 All justly her adored as their Queen:

115 She as dear Sisters them did use and call,

116 And in sweet humblenesse out-went them all;

117 When in a round they sate them down to sing,

118 She treble was and Diamond in the Ring:

119 My Coats chief Ornament by day by night,

120 The golden Candlestick whence issues light;

121 If ought she saw in others worth her heed,

122 She practis'd, and her patern did exceed,

123 For she not only knew but practis'd all

124 The graces grown in her habituall.

Battus:

125 
If she transcended so in word and deed,

126 Why is she gone and left none of her breed?

Tityrus:

127 Heavens would not so much for one mortall do

128 As give him such a Wife and Children too,

129 A losse not portable, but that we plain

130 Discern our losse was her immortall gain;

131 The God of Life when he did her deny

132 A pow'r to live, most willing made to die.

Robert Aylett married thirdly on 01 Jun 1624 to Penelope Wiseman, ^[18] widow of John Stevens of Colchester, England. ^[19] She too was mentioned in the above cited poem ...

Battus:

182 What of thy third?

Tityrus:

183 My Friend 'tis not the Fashion,

184 To praise the 'live with Funerall Oration,

185 Her heart I ought bedew with double tears,

186 As she with me hath doubled both their years;

187 If fates require that I shall stay behinde her,

188 I shall commend of her then as I finde her,

189 Neat, prudent, frugall, bountifull and grave.

Poetry ^[20]

- 1622 Susanna, or the Arraignment of the Two Unjust Elders

- 1622 Joseph, or Pharaoh's Favorite, Peace with her Four Gardens

- 1622 Thrift's Equipage

- 1654 Divine and Moral Speculations.

Will

"I, Robert Aylett, Doctor of Law Master in Chancery, commending first my soul to God and my body to Christian burial, which I wish to be in the churchyard of Much Braxted in Essex the place to be designated by Sir Benjamin Ayloffe.

I first will and devise my copyhold tenement in Feering in the county of Essex withal and singular the lands thereunto belonging, called Hobbs to Thomas Aylett, younger son of my late brother deceased, and his heirs for ever

The rest of all my copyholds according to my promise, I leave to descend to William Aylett, my said brother’s oldest son.

All the rest of my estate ether real or personal (except my wife’s plate and jewels and household stuff, she brought to me being a widow, which I here declare to be hers), I give to my dear wife Penelope, to pay my debts and to sustain her, it being too mean in respect of her true love and care of me and my estate.

And I nominate and appoint my said wife, sole executrix of this my said Will, provided if she die before probate hereof or without naming an executor, that then John Aylett, my kinsman, third son of my said brother, be my executor

Lastly I charge my executors to deliver to such of my friends and kindred as I shall under my hand set down here, or in a schedule annexed hereunto, such of my gowns and wearing apparel as they know that I have appointed and acquainted them all.

My best silk cloak bound with plush to Sir Benjamin Ayloffe.

My silk gown to my brother, Eltonhead.

My best ??? coat to William Aylett.

The rest of my wearing apparel to Thomas Gaell, John and Robert Aylett.

This Will I have subscribed and signed with mine own hand, the twenty eighth of January, one thousand six hundred and fifty four, present the witnesses for which the names are subscribed.

(signature) Robert Aylett

Witnesses: Benjamin Ayloffe, William Ayloffe, Jo. Sanders".

Research Notes

Henry II recruited Brabant mercenaries in his wars against his sons including the first known Aylett in England. Boiden Ailet was a Flemish mercenary (from Brabant), who came to England with Henry 2nd in the late 12th century (1174). ^[21] However there is no conclusive evidence that he was the ancestor of these Aylett families.

The Ayletts were an old, well-established minor gentry family in Essex county, possibly dating back to the time of King Henry II (1154-89).

The Aylett surname apears to originate in west Essex with an overlap into east Herts and later expansion into Kent and Cambridge, England. ^[22]

In 1433, Richard Aylett was considered one of the chief gentleman of the county. ^[10] "Richard Eyelotte" appeared in an Essex, England return of about 140 gentry in 1433, expressing loyalty to the Crown. ^[21]

One of the main manors in Stisted was the manor of Rainhatch, which straddled the parishes of Stisted, Braintree, and Bocking. It had been in the possession of the Aylett family since at least 1583.

The Aylett arms for Ayletts of Rivenhall, Essex, England are represented twice as a "Historical Monument in Essex". ^[23]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/essex/vol3/pp108-111
2. ↑ 1585 Will of John Lambe, Sr.
3. ↑ Cambridge Alumni Database, University of Cambridge for Robert Aylett
4. ↑ Chelmsford, England Wills citing Will #142 BW 50 for Leonard Aylett, Gent, Feering; dated: 24 Jan 1630/31; which was very short and informal; and mentioned ...

   - (unamed) wife to pay debt to "my good brother Dr. Aylett", last year's Feering tithes

   - money owed to Richard Bennet after a Star chamber judgement

   - Dr Robert to look after his wife and children

   - left his children his blessing.

5. ↑ Feering Parish Register
6. ↑ Feering Parish Registry as signatory to vestry meetings in July 1614 and 1624
7. ↑ Crime in England 1550-1800 by J. S. Cockburn in 1977; p94
8. ↑ Feering, Essex, England Wills - Last Will of John White c1630 with Robert Aylett as overseer
9. ↑ House of Lords Journal v4; 30 March 1641 Doctor Aylet bailed; Aylett, Legum Doctor, recognovit se debere Domino Regi Quingentas Libras, levari ex Terris, Tenementis, Bonis, et Catallis suis, ad usum Domini Regis, etc. The Condition of the abovesaid Recognizance is, that, if the said Aylett, Doctor of the Civil Laws, shall appear Personally here before the Lords in Parliament, and be present at the Judgement of Parliament against him, if any shall be, then this Recognizance to be void; or else to remain in Force.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} The Kings Candlesticks - Family Trees
11. ↑ UK National Archives C 10/38/225 (1647), C 9/14/7 (1652), C 10/45/4 (1654)
12. ↑ National Archives prob#11-247-721 for Doctor Robert Aylett, Doctor of Laws, Master in Chancerie of Saint Dunstan in the West, City of London; dated: 28 January 1654/5; probated: 22 March 1654/5
13. ↑ "A vvife, not ready made, but bespoken" by Dicus the Batchelor and made up for him in 4 pastorall eglogues, by his fellow shepheard Tityrus; printed for A.R. in 1653 in London, England; available via the University of Michigan; Robert Aylett 1583-1655
14. ↑ England, Boyd's Marriage Indexes 1538-1850 transcription on FindMyPast.com; m: 1610 Hadleigh, Suffolk, England for Judith Gall & Robert Ailet
15. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Aylett
16. ↑ Hadleigh, the town, the church [etc.] by Hugh Pigot in 1860
17. ↑ Feering Parish church mural, Text: ...

    God would no longer spare his Treasure lent.

    Her gain must give mee for my losse content.

    Vertue by her was practis'd well as knowne.

    She dying reap'd what living she had sowne.

    Since she was so transcendant of her kind

    Why dyde the stock and left no branch behind?

    Heavns would not so much for one mortall doe

    As give him such a wife and children too."

    In Latin ...

    "Charissimae suae Judithiae elliae

    Johannis Gael de Hadleigh gen ego

    Robertus Aylett LEGVD illius Coniux amoris ergo

    posvi 11 dec 1623 aetat suae 29"

18. ↑ Essex Records Office, D/P 133/1/1 citing All Saints: marriages 1559-1704
19. ↑ http://stirnet.com/genie/data/british/ww/wiseman02.php
20. ↑ English Poetry 1579-1830: Spenser and the Tradition; for Robert Aylett (1583-1655)
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} "History and Antiquities of the County of Essex" by Philip Morant; published: 1760s; reprinted: 1978; isbn#0715813013 & 9780715813010; v2 p393;
22. ↑ FamilyTree DNA for Aylett test results
23. ↑ "An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex" by Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), Herbert Gardner Baron Burghclere, Robert George Windsor-Clive earl of Plymouth, David Lindsay Earl of Crawford & published by H. M. Stationery Office of Madison, WI in 1916) p250

• Wikipedia: Robert Aylett

• Visitation of Essex 1634 Owen and Lilly