Thomas Bickley DD (abt. 1518 - 1596)

Born about 1518 in Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England [uncertain]

Died 30 Apr 1596 at about age 78 in Chichester, Sussex, England

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Biography

Thomas was a member of the Church of England

Thomas Bickley DD is Notable.

Family

Thomas is said to have been born in 1518 in Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England;^[1][2][3][4] however the accuracy of this is in question as no other Bickleys have been found there. His parentage, and if he had any siblings, currently remains unknown. According to Dallaway's 'A History of the Western Division of the County of Sussex' he was 'probably not of wealthy parents' and 'died unmarried'.^[1]

Education & Career

Thomas attended Oxford University and achieved the following: Chorister; Magdalen College, 1531; Bachlor of Arts 19 June, 1540; Fellow 1540-54; Master of Arts June, 1545; Bachelor of Divinity 1552, Doctorate of Divinity 10 July, 1570; Greek Lecturer 1542-7; Vice-President 1553.^[5]

He has been described as 'Royal Chaplain', 'Chaplain to King Edward VI' (who reigned 28 January 1547 - 6 July 1553), and 'Preacher at Windsor'. This is likely to be accurate as having been ordained Deacon at Oxford in April 1551, he shortly afterwards became Chaplain of the Edward IV chantry at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, for a short period of time.^[2][6][7]

He is absent from England from 1553 to 1560 and appears in Paris and Orléans, France, presumably a Marian Exile to escape persecution by Queen Mary I, during her reign between July 1553 and November 1558, for his protestant beliefs.^[7][6]

Following the death of Queen Mary I, Thomas returned to England and an illustrious career followed in the Church of England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1:^[5][2][4][8]

• Chancellor of Lichfield 1560
• Rector of Biddenden, Kent, 1562
• Archdeacon of Stafford 1567
• Warden of Merton College, Oxford from 1569 to 1585
• Canon of Lincoln 1572
• Rector of Sutton Waldron, Dorset, 1578
• Bishop of Chichester from 1586 until his death in 1596.

Heraldry

An oil painting of Thomas, by an unknown artist, shows the arms of the See of Chichester impaling the Bickley arms. It may now be hanging somewhere within the walls of Magdalen College, Oxford having originally been in the collection of the late Mr John Thane.^[3] It is un-dated, however, as it shows him as the Bishop, it was probably done after he took the position in 1586.^[9]

Another depiction of his Bickley arms appears atop a small mural monument, of alabaster, with an effigy kneeling, of the Bishop, in painted stone. It is also said to exhibit the early costume of protestant bishops and is situated near the altar of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity (now Chichester Cathedral).^[1][4]

His arms have also been illustrated and recorded by Dallaway twice; each time differently but both times, it seems, in association with Thomas Bickley, the Bishop of Chichester;^[10]

• Argent, a chevron embattled between three gryphons’ heads erased sable, charged with a bezant.
  • This is the version which appears in the painting and mural monument referenced above.
  • This is the version which is depicted as being impaled with See of Chichester in the painting referenced above.
• Argent, on a cheveron between three gryphons’ heads erased sable, a bezant.
  • This version is shown as being impaled with the Day family: A cross quarterly voided, gules and argent, counterchanged, and charged with a lily, between four demi-roses en soleil.
  • The significance of this is currently not known.

It is currently unknown if Dallaway has made an error or if this reveals a genealogical fact of significance once researched further. Of interest is that a second Thomas Bickley (noted as junior and not to be confused with the Bishop) was recorded as having an appointment at Chichester Cathedral, Wisborough Prebend, between 27 March 1591 and 3 June 1595.^[11] It is possible there has been some conflation between the two Thomas' and this is currently being researched.

Another painting, with a clearer image of the family arms, can be found here: [ https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/thomas-bickley-c-15181596-222431 ART UK]. The artist and date is unknown.

Variations of these arms have also been recorded as being used by descendants of Francis Bickley (1530-bef.1603) of Lolworth, Cambridgeshire and Henry Bickley (abt.1503-aft.1570) of Chidham, Sussex.

The use of similar arms across these family groups indicates a familial tie which is currently unresolved and being researched. As is the reference of the two arms by Dallaway and the impaling with the Day family.

To date, no reference in any Heraldic Visitation has been found for this Thomas but the search will continue.

Letters

Digital images of two letters written in the Bishop's own hand can be found in the Folger Shakespeare Library. The letters have been transcribed here.

The first letter was addressed 'To my welbeloved Cussen m^r Antony Baggot at m^r Browghtons howse in warwyck [laene]' and was written on 28 January 1589/90. The Bishop writes that he is glad that Bagot has recovered; recommends a visit to Chicester for the air. Sends gloves for Mrs. Anne Broughton.

The second letter was adressed to 'To my worshypfull frynd & Cussen m^r Rychard Baggot lieue tenant in Staffordshier to her mag[es]^ty' and was written on 24 June 1591. The Bishop noted that Anthony Bagot wrote that most of the Bagots were ill but now recovered. His friend the vicar of Alrewas is poor and will be undone if forced to find 20 for a privy seal. Dearth is bringing misery about Chicester.

The relationship/story between the Bishop and the Baggot family (including the Broughton's and the vicar of Alrewas) is being further researched. Also refer Research Notes.

Death & Burial

Bishop Thomas Bickley died on 30 April 1596 at his palace of Aldingbourne^{[2] [1]} and was buried on 26 May 1596^[12] in Chichester Cathedral.^[4]

His Will was proved in the Chichester Consistory Court on 13 June 1596.^[13][14]

According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography he bequests the following in his Will:^[2]

• £40 to Magdalen College for the ceiling and paving of the school
• £100 to Merton College to endow a university sermon, which was to be preached by one of the fellows in the college chapel on 1 May (1596).

A full transcription of the original Will document (including additional bequests) can be viewed here. The following people were mentioned:

• Cousin Mr Richard Taylor, "Mr of Arte, fellowe of Merton Colledge in Oxforde"
• Margarett daughter of sister Jane Smythe
• nieces Alce and Joane, daughters of Johan Borrowe(/s)
• Sr Richarde Fitzherbert
• Mr Benjamin Bentham
• Frauncys Goulston
• Nicholas Seaton
• god daughter Seaton (perhaps daughter of Nicholas Seaton mentioned above)
• Christofer Saxpie (note: Also mentioned in one of the Letters transcribed above)
• Thomas Harrys
• Mr Doctor Ball
• Richard Juxon
• Hugh Barker

Witnesses were: Mr Doctor Ball, Richarde Juxon, Christopher Saxpy, Frauncys Goulston, Thomas Harrys, Mr Hugh Barker.

Research Notes

This profile will continue to be updated as further research on the Bickley/Byckley family is undertaken; specifically in relation to the Heraldry queries raised above; the family connections raised in this Thomas' Will and the Letters; the G2G question below and his place of birth. Resolution of these queries may help resolve the parentage of Thomas and connect him to the main Wikitree. (Potter-10870 13:04, 6 October 2021 (UTC))

There is an unanswered G2G Question, by Anonymous, which is of great interest as it has lead to the Letters above being found and transcribed. This is the question:

How was John Bykley b. ca 1480, M.P. for Stafford 1529, related or a cousin of Sir Lewis Bagot? John Bykley was named as an executor and cousin of Sir Lewis Bagot died 1534. Letters written to Sir Richard Bagot [grandson of Sir Lewis], in 1591, by Thomas Byckley/Bickley, Bishop of Chichester, claim Thomas is also their 'cousin'. It is possible that Thomas Bickley, the Bishop, is the son of John Bykley, because he bore the paternal arms and crest (on portraits) of John. I realise that the word 'cousin' was used fairly loosely in the old days.

• The letters have been found and transcribed.
• The referenced Will of Sir Lewis Bagot and Thomas Byckley are currently being searched for.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} A History of the Western Division of the County of Sussex Including the Rapes of Chichester, Arundel, and Bramber, with the City and Diocese of Chichester · Volume 1. By James Dallaway · 1815. Pages 78, 134-135, 31, 76. Google Books online.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Bickley, Thomas (c. 1518–1596) by Kenneth Carleton Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Accessed 11 September 2021.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} A Collection of Portraits to Illustrate Granger's Biog. Hist. of England and Noble's Continuation to Granger: Forming a Supplement to Richardson's Copies of Rare Granger Portraits. Volumes 1-2. United Kingdom: T. and H. Rodd, 1820. Page 24-25. HathiTrust digital library.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Wikipedia contributors, "Thomas Bickley," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Bickley&oldid=1010113674 (accessed September 11, 2021).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "Bennell-Bloye," in Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714, ed. Joseph Foster (Oxford: University of Oxford, 1891), 106-141. British History Online, accessed September 13, 2021, British History Online. Bickley, Thomas. chorister. Magdalen Coll., 1531; B.A. 19 June, 1540, fellow 1540-54, M.A. June, 1545, B.D. 1552, D.D. 10 July, 1570, Greek lecturer 1542-7, vice-president 1553, chaplain to King Edward, or. preacher at Windsor, chancellor of Lichfield 1560, archdeacon of Stafford 1567, warden of Merton College 1569-85, rector of Biddenden, Kent, 1562, canon of Lincoln 1572, rector of Sutton Waldron, Dorset, 1578, bishop of Chichester 1585, until his death 30 April, 1596, aged 78. See O. H. S., iv. 166; Ath., ii. 839; Bloxam, i. 10, iv. 58; Hearne, i. 181; & D.N.B.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Garrett, Christina Hallowell. “The Migration to Germany.” Chapter. In The Marian Exiles: A Study in the Origins of Elizabethan Puritanism, 38–60. Cambridge Library Collection - British and Irish History, 15th & 16th Centuries. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511707957.004. Cambridge University Press. Accessed 13 September 2021.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} The Marian reaction in its relation to the English clergy. A study of the Episcopal registers by Frere, Walter Howard, 1863-1938, published 1896. Page 213. The Internet Archive online.
8. ↑ Person: Bickley, Thomas (1551 - 1614), CCEd Person ID: 24840 Clergy of the Church of England Database. Accessed 4 October 2021.
9. ↑ Thomas Bickley (1518–1596), Fellow (1540–1553), Bishop of Chichester (1586–1596), unknown artist, Magdalen College, University of Oxford, Art UK online.
10. ↑ A History of the Western Division of the County of Sussex Including the Rapes of Chichester, Arundel, and Bramber, with the City and Diocese of Chichester · Volume 1. By James Dallaway · 1815. Pages 78 and 134-135. Google Books online.
11. ↑ Person: Bickley, Thomas (1591 - 1595), CCEd Person ID: 73630. Clergy of the Church of England Database. Accessed 6 October 2021.
12. ↑ Sussex Burials, Great Britain. First name(s) Bishop Thomas Last name Bickley Age - Birth year - Death year 1596 Burial year 1596 Burial date 26 May 1596 Dedication St.Peter the Great Place Chichester County Sussex Country England Notes Died 30/04/1596 Record set Sussex Burials Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records Subcategory Parish Burials Collections from England, Great Britain. Sussex Family History Group Transcriptions © Sussex Family History Group. FindMyPast database online (Subscription required). Accessed 11 September 2021.
13. ↑ Sussex, Chichester Consistory Court Wills Index, 1482-1800, Chichester, Sussex. First name(s) Thomas Country England Last name Bickley Document type Original will; Registered will Entry year 1596 Archive reference STC II/M 84; STC I/14/417b Place Chichester Record set Sussex, Chichester Consistory Court Wills Index, 1482-1800 Original text Bishop of Chichester, Sussex Category Life Events (BDMs) Court Chichester Consistory Subcategory Wills & Probate County Sussex Collections from England, Great Britain. © Findmypast. FindMyPast database online (subscription required). Accessed 18 September 2021.
14. ↑ Will not catalogued but can be found here: Original wills (A, B and C surnames) 1580-1600 (STC I/II Folders K-N). This image courtesy of West Sussex County Council. Images 528-529. FamilySearch online database. Accessed 20 September 2021.

See also:

• Wikipedia: Thomas Bickley
• Wikidata: Item Q7787621, en:Wikipedia

Further reading:

• Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 05, Bickley, Thomas by William Richard Wood Stephens. Wikisource online, Copyright notice.

• Appendix XI: The Role of the Marian Exiles. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981. Available from Boydell and Brewer. History of Parliament online.

• Hadfield, Andrew., Dimmock, Matthew. Art, Literature and Religion in Early Modern Sussex: Culture and Conflict. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2016. Page 33. Google Books online.

Acknowledgements

• With many thanks to
  • David Mortimer for transcribing the Bishop's Will.
  • Gill Whitehouse for transcribing the Bishop's Letters.
  • Ann Browning for help finding references.
  • Jo Fitz-Henry for help with Heraldry analysis.
  • Anonymous who raised this G2G Question.