Roger Drury (abt. 1360 - 1420)

Born about 1360 in Thurston, Suffolk, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died Oct 1420 at about age 60 in Rougham, Suffolk, England

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Biography

Birth

Sir Roger Drury was the son^[1] of Sir Nicholas Drury of Thurston by Joan, daughter and heire of Sir Simon Saxham of Thurston. Thurston is just east of Denston.

Marriage

Roger married^[1] Margery (d. 3 Sept. 1405), daughter and heire of Sir Thomas Naunton of Rougham. Rogham^[2] is southeast of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. They had five sons and 4 daughters.

Roger inherited manors in Thurston and Market Weston, and through his marriage to Margery Naunton he acquired property at Rougham.

Drury was knighted before the winter of 1384, probably for military service overseas^[3]

Children:

1. Sir William Drury;
2. Roger Drury - died without issue;
3. Nicholas Drury - died 1445;
4. Thomas Drury of Candlers in Hessett
5. Margaret Drury, who married^[4] Sir William Clopton, knight (she was his second wife);
6. Elizabeth Drury, married John Baret of Bury;
7. Margery Drury;
8. Joan Drury

Professional Life

There is a lengthy record of Roger's service to Parliament^[3].

He was Knight of the Shire^[3] for Suffolk in 1391, 1401 and 1407.

Sir Roger was on a commission of Array 14 July 1402 for the defence of the sea coast against the King's enemies who intend invasion, and again 2 July 1405, and on Commissions of array for the resistance of the King's enemies of France, and others, at present assembled with no small force in the parts of Picardy, who propose to besiege and destroy the King's castles and towns in those parts and harm the King's lieges and to go to Wales to strengthen the rebels there.

Death

Roger Drury made his will on 3 Oct. 1420, requesting internment before the altar of St. Mary in Rougham church. This is approximately the same date as the death of his daughter Margery, married to Sir William Clopton, and may refer to the same episode of the Black Death.

In his will he states:

Last Will: In the name of God Amen. I Roger Drury, knight living at Rougham Thursday next after the feast of St. Michael the Archangel Oct 3, 1420 make my testament to the churches of Rougham, Thurston, Bacton, Tostock, Drinkstone, Hessett and Barton... four the souls of my parents...my executors to be William Clopton, James Andrews, Nicholas Drury, William Copinger, clerk, Thomas Pepye, Nicholas Webster clerk, and John Taylor clerk, Proved at Norwich Oct 24, 1420.

There is a brass in Rougham: St Mary's church^[5] for Sir Roger Drury and his first wife (died 1405), and a window in Bardwell church has two effigies said^[6] to represent them, but in this case the female figure is more likely to be that of Joan, second wife of Sir Roger, possibly a Pakenham.

Research Notes

Abstract of deeds follows:

Ther be sondry dedes of divers dates which prove that this Sir Roger Drury Knight, married Marjory daughter and sole heire of Sir Thomas Naunton Knight etc. This Sir Roger removed his place from Nether place in Thurston to Drurys in Rougham wher the seatt is yet Remayninge. In which Churche he with his wife lie enterred wher their portraiturs are to be seene with a faire Tombe and the Armes of Sondry matches in the glasse windows."

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Drury of Rougham and Tendring:
   Arthur Campling, (1937), The History of the Family of Drury, Ch III "Drury of Rougham and Tendring". Available on wayback machine: Robert Drury
2. ↑ Rougham, Suffolk:
   Wikipedia contributors, "Rougham, Suffolk," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia Rougham (accessed March 12, 2024).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Sir Roger Drury MP:
   The online History of Parliament - Entry for Roger Drury Sir Roger Drury
4. ↑ The history and antiquities of Hawsted: Cullum, John, Sir, 6th Bart., 1733-1785, The history and antiquities of Hawsted, in the County of Suffolk
   London : Printed by and for J. Nichols; 1784; page: (116 of 280)
   Internet Archive (accessed 13 March 2024)
5. ↑ Rougham: St Mary's':
   Brass monument to Sir Roger Drury monument
6. ↑ The East Anglian: Evelyn-White, Charles Harold, [from old catalog] ed, The East Anglian; or, Notes and queries on subjects connected with the counties of Suffolk, Cambridge, Essex and Norfolk
   Lowestoft, S. Tymms; [etc., etc.]; 1800; page: (19 of 455)
   Internet Archive (accessed 13 March 2024)