Robert Gostwick (abt. 1515 - 1562)

Born about 1515 in Bedfordshire, England

Husband of Alice Wilshire — married before 1538 in Old Warden, Bedfordshire, England

Died Oct 1562 at about age 47 in Old Warden, Bedfordshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Chris Gorman [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Gostwick Name Study.

Robert Gostwick was a member of the aristocracy in British Isles.

Robert Gostwick was born in Bedfordshire, England.

Robert was born about 1515, in Bedfordshire, England.

His parentage is given by Finberg, and will hopefully clarify itself as facts become further exposed.

William Gostwick (bef1480-Jan1546) and his wife, Elizabeth, have been identified as his parents. He passed away in 1562.

...Sir John's cousins, the children of his Uncle William, brother of John^[1]

His brother Edward is detailed in his will.:

His brother Edmund was dead before his will. (this profile's parentage is disputed and conflated / marked Aug2021)

His brother Thomas

His sister Elizabeth

Moving to Cardington

abt 1536, Cotton End, Cardington, Bedfordshire, England

Robert's parents are listed as property owner of Cotton End, Cardington, which may be from Court of Augmentations.^[2]

Finberg pg78, expanded:

...Sir John's cousins, the children of his Uncle William. This uncle had not only been a landholder in Willington, but in Cardington and Wilshamstead.

Marriage & Children

bef 1537, 1st marriage, Bedfordshire, England

Robert Gostwick married Mrs. Alice (Wilshire) Russell

3 children are known to this marriage:

1. William, b. 1537, died abt 1575 in Wood Street prison
2. Anne, b. 1538, married William Gilney of Ware
3. Abraham, b. 1539,died bef 1558

abt 1537, Warden Abbey, Warden, Bedfordshire, England

following the dissolution of the Abbeys, Robert purchased Warden Abbey and lands for a little more than 389 pounds.

24-Jan-1539, Warden Abbey, Warden, Bedfordshire, England

101. Robt. Gostewike, of Warden, Beds., and Agnes his wife. Warden monastery, Beds.; on surrender of Crown lease (recited) to Sir Fras. Bryan, 24 Jan. 30 Hen. VIII. 16 July.^[3]

7-Jun-1542, Lease, Southill, Bedfordshire, England

Lease for 21 years - Rent : 2s 4d 1. Robert Gostwyck of Wardon Strete, Beds., gent. 2. Gylbert Lanpage [Lapayge] of Southill Little close of pasture called Dawneybower, late occupied Edward Gostwyck, gent. as the said close lieth under the Parke Wood syde between Busshy Barton South, abutting West on highway from the Parke Graunge against the pounde hed.^[4]

1553, Warden Abbey Manor, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, England

After tearing down all but a single buttress wall of the Abbey, Robert Gostwick built Warden Abbey Manor, a large Tudor home.

20-Nov-1558, Last Will & Testament, Warden, Bedfordshire, England

Robarte Gostwicke of Warden, last Will^[5]

Transcription of image above

1558.—Novr. 20th. I, Robarte Gostwicke of Warden in the Co. of Beds Gent. My body to be buried in the Chancel of the Par. Church of Warden nighe unto Anne my wife.

To my son William Gostwyke the lease of Warden Abbie that I do now dwell in.

My son Abraham Gostwicke {All under 21}

my daur. Anne Gostwicke

My cozen William Gostwick son & heire to Edward Gostwick my brother late of Stanford [Bury] dec’d & his 3 sisters,

Thomas Wilshiere sonne & heire to Thomas Wilsheire my brother in law.

To the said Abraham the right and interest of Hope Close, and one close called Hell Close. My house that Gentt now dewelletth in. The lease of my personage of Wedon after the decease of his mother in law.

Unto Anne my daur. Barkers Close next unto the Great Wood.

Thomas Wilsheire, Sisley* Wilsheire Anne Wilsbeire mv brother Thomas Wilsheir’s (of Welwin) children,

Edmond Gostwick’s two sons and his 2 daurs.

---

I give to Alice, my wife, a colt.

Alice, my wife her late husband Thomas Russel,

John Basse of Cambridge and Thomas Wilsheire of Welwen to be my executors.

Edmond Hattley Gent, of Sowthoe and John Cooper of Bedford Supervisors.

In presence of Thomas Wilsheire, John Russell, Alexander Sympson, William Lawson, & Foolk Walker.

Robarte Gostwyke. Proved 30th Oct. 1562. By Thomas Wilsheire, John Basse having died.

(P.C.C. 26 Streat.) ^[6]

(See Research Notes)

Though William inherits Warden Abbey Nov-1558, the lease in 1562 refers to William's brother? John having made the lease.' ' 14-Jun-1562, 60yr Lease, Bedfordshire, England

Lease for 60 years, £200; rent per annum £60: John Gostwick to Francis Russell, 3rd son of Francis, Earl of Bedford. The manors of Goldington, Ravensden and Putnoe.

Oct-1562, Death, Warden, Bedfordshire, England

30-Oct-1562, Probate, Bedfordshire, England

Research Notes

Parentage: Robert is paired with brother Edward by will. Edmund is also his brother b.1620. Charted as a trio, they break the parentage for other placements. It may take a diagram or separate page to prove it in a way that is irrefutable.

For Robert to have ~400 pounds at age 21 suggests he has inherited a nice estate, or had received a large dowry. His brother selling a house he'd recently lived in makes the property more important to understand

Re Will contents:

Robert names off people that dont seem to directly inherit from him. I believe this level of specificity was provided as a detailed way to distinguish himself and his heirs from cousins. It provides an excellent explainer for a group of near dupe cousins.

Notice 3 spellings of Gostwick in the same document

Re: Abraham, is he Robert's adopted son? Robert gives his house to Abraham, after the death of his 'mother in law' A strange call out.

When are you the son in law to the wife, but son to the husband?

Look for dead brothers wife sort of thing

To Do

• Expand the (3) Finberg refs from page 78
• Robert had a first wife, Anne, conflated with Alice his 2nd wife. Fix (see will)

Sources

1. ↑ "The Gostwicks of Willington", Herbert P. R. Finberg, Bedfordshire Historical Record Society. Vol. XXXVI, 1955. The publications of the Bedfordshire Historical Record Society. Streatley, Beds: Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, pg.78
2. ↑ "The Gostwicks of Willington", Herbert P. R. Finberg, Bedfordshire Historical Record Society. Vol. XXXVI, 1955. The publications of the Bedfordshire Historical Record Society. Streatley, Beds: Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, pg.78
3. ↑ British History Online, [database on-line]. www.british-history.ac.uk, Letters & Papers of Henry VIII, Entry for Robt. Gostewike, Crown Lease, Old Warden, 24 Jan 1539, Ref: pg674
4. ↑ "Bedfordshire Archive Catalog Service (BEDCAT)" [database on-line]. [bedsarchivescat.Bedford.gov]. Entry for Robert Gostwyck, 7 Jun 1542, Lease (accessed [30-Aug-2021]); ref: H/WS887
5. ↑ "Bedfordshire notes and queries". 1882. Bedford: A. Ranson, 'Gostwicke Wills', Vol.2, pg. 188, Google Books, Bedfordshire Queries: Vol2
6. ↑ Personal transcription. Chris Gorman

• British History Online, [database on-line]. www.british-history.ac.uk, Letters & Papers of Henry VIII, Entry for Robt. Gostewike, Crown Lease, Old Warden, 24 Jan 1539, Ref: pg674

H.P.Finberg sources from pg.78 (decoded)

• Letters & Papers of Henry VIII, vol XXI, (1) 150 § 302, 65.
• Great Britain, Public Record Office. Lists & Indexes, vol. LIV Lists & Indexes, vol. LIV, pg50, ref: 1123,42
• Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Folio #17, Populwell.

the deceased kinsman whose masses were offered included 'Sir Robert', rector of Ingatestone, and 'Sir William', vicar of Ashby St. Ledger, and a chaplain to convent at Elstowe.