George Coke (abt. 1570 - 1646)

Born about 1570 in Derbyshire, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 10 Dec 1646 at about age 76 in Eardisley, Herefordshire, England

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Biography

George Coke is Notable.

George Coke was born in about 1570, the son of Richard Coke and Mary Sacheverell.

He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge and was appointed Rector of Bigrave, Hertfordshire. George was consecrated Bishop of Bristol in 1633 and then translated to Hereford June 18, 1636. Fuller observes that "he was a meek, grave, quiet man, much beloved of such as were subjected to his jurisdiction".

George married Jane Higham on 26 October 1609 in Histon, Cambridge, England.^[1]

During the civil war he was one of the protesting bishops, and was imprisoned on that account. On 30 December 1641 he was impeached by the House of Commons together with eleven other bishops to weaken the Royalist party in the House of Lords. He retired to Hereford, and was there in 1643 when it was first captured by parliamentary forces. He was taken captive after the battle of Naseby. In January 1646, Coke and other captives were ordered to the Tower of London to be tried for treason. ^[2]

He left a will dated 30 August 1640, describing himself as George Coke, Lord Bishop of Hereford. ^[3] He made bequests to and mentioned:

• my dear wife Jane
• my son Mr Richard Coke
• my second son Mr John Coke
• my third son Mr Thomas Coke
• my fourth son Mr William Coke
• my nephew Sir John Coke, Knt
• Philip Streathy, linen draper
• my servant Thomas Martin

He died at Eardisley, Herefordshire on December 10, 1646. George was buried there on 15 December 1646. ^[4] The register noted he was the late Bishop of Hereford.

His will was probated on 17 July 1647.

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage: "England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973"
   Original data: England, Marriages, 1538-1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 1040483 IT 1-14
   Ancestry au Record 9852 #38054709 (accessed 9 October 2023)
   George Coke marriage to Jane Higham on 26 Oct 1609 in Histon, Cambridge, England.
2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "George Coke," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia (accessed October 9, 2023).
3. ↑ Will: "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858"
   The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 201
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 5111 #866909 (accessed 9 October 2023)
   Will of Georgij Coke, granted probate on 17 Jul 1647. Died about 1647 in Hereford.
4. ↑ Burial: "National Burial Index For England & Wales"
   FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 9 October 2023)
   George Cooke burial on 15 Dec 1646 in Eardisley, Herefordshire, England.