Family and Education

b. by 1520, illegit. s. of Sir George Harvey of Thurleigh by Margaret, w. of William Smart. m. (1) by 1537, Joan, (2) Jane or Elizabeth, da. of Sir John Williams of Burghfield, Berks., wid. of John Cheyne (d. 2 Mar. 1545) of West Woodhay, Berks., 1s. 3da.; (3) Anne, da. of Nicholas Luke, wid. of John Harding of Northill, Beds., 1da. suc. fa. 23 Mar. 1522.1

Offices Held

J.p. Beds. 1543-54 or later; escheator, Beds. and Bucks. 1546-7; commr. relief, Beds. 1550.2

Biography

Gerard Harvey’s father was the last of his line and as the entail on his patrimony lapsed with himself he was able to leave his lands to his baseborn son. By his will made on 18 Apr. 1520 Sir George Harvey laid down that Gerard should ‘be ordered, ruled and married’ by the advice of the executors and provided for his education and grounding in the common law until the age of 25. Put on the bench in 1543 he was active in county affairs for the next ten years and served in the French campaign of 1544. His return for Bedford to the Parliament of 1547 was consonant with his local advancement and his own links with the town, but it may have been sponsored by Sir Francis Bryan, the town’s recorder. Harvey was joined in the House by his brother-in-law, Sir John Williams, as one of the knights for Oxfordshire. The Journal does not mention Harvey. The last reference to him comes in 1554 as a justice of the peace. If he made a will it has not been found.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes

• 1. Date of birth estimated from father’s will, PCC 3 Ayloffe. W. M. Harvey, Hundred of Willey, 126-7n, 510-11; Vis. Beds. (Harl. Soc. xix), 37, 39, 116; Vis. Oxon. (Harl. Soc. v), 224; Vis. Suff. ed. Howard, ii. 169-70; Vis. Berks. (Harl. Soc. lvii), 105; VCH Herts. ii. 287; C142/40/108, 74/9; E150/75/4; Wards 7/2/105.
• 2. LP Hen. VIII, xx, xxi; CPR, 1547-8, p. 81; 1553, p. 351; 1553-4, p. 17.
• 3. Harvey, loc. cit.; PCC 3 Ayloffe; LP Hen. VIII, xiv, xix; Beds. RO, TW11/70, 508; CPR, 1549-51, p. 414; C142/40/108, 243/58; E150/75/4; VCH Hunts. ii. 303; VCH Beds. iii. 104, 158, 187, 335.