WINGFIELD, Robert I (d.1580), of Upton, Northants.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

1st s. of Robert Wingfield of Upton by Margery, da. of George Quarles of Ufford. educ. Pembroke, Camb. 1549; G. Inn 1552. m. Elizabeth, da. of Richard Cecil of Little Burghley, 2s. John and Robert II 2da. suc. fa. 1576.

Offices Held

J.p. Northants. 1559.

Biography

Wingfield came from a cadet branch of the Suffolk Wingfields, established as minor gentlemen within the soke of Peterborough. He was no doubt brought into Parliament through the influence of his brother-in-law, Sir William Cecil, referred to in his will as ‘my very good lord’, and to whom he entrusted the oversight of his children and estates. Like his father, Wingfield was a substantial sheep farmer, and most contemporary references to the family, apart from those relating to a long quarrel with their neighbours the Fitzwilliams, concern the preservation and improvement of their estates. Both father and son were described as ‘great furtherers’ of religion in the bishops letters of 1564.

Wingfield died on 31 Mar. 1580. His inquisition post mortem, taken before his cousin, George Quarles, shows that he, like his father, had purchased new lands to consolidate the old. His mother-in-law, Jane Cecil, had given him money to purchase an estate for his younger son John as well, but this he had not accomplished, and he left instructions for the money to be returned so that she could employ it for John’s use as she thought fit. His heir was the elder son, Robert, who was to be ruled by Lord Burghley, or ‘take no benefit by me of anything herein contained’.

Bridges, Northants. ii. 508; PCC 19 Carew, 25 Arundel; Northants. Rec. Soc. xviii. p. xl; M. Finch, Five Northants. Fams. (Northants. Rec. Soc. xix), 316; HMC Hatfield, i. 253; CPR, 1560-3, p. 320; PRO cal. pat. rolls 1-16 Eliz. 12(10), p. 270; Cam. Misc. ix(3), p. 36; C142/190/52.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: S. M. Thorpe

Notes

  • 1. Did not serve for the full duration of the Parliament.