Biography of Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper 1510-1579
Paternal Family Tree: Bacon
Before 28 Dec 1510 [his father] Robert Bacon (age 31) and [his mother] Isabel or Eleanor Cage (age 32) were married.
On 28 Dec 1510 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper was born to Robert Bacon (age 31) and Isabel or Eleanor Cage (age 32) at Chislehurst, Kent.
In 1527 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 16) graduated from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University.
In 1533 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 22) entered The Church of St Benet and was subsequently Called to the Bar.
Around 1535 [his daughter] Elizabeth Bacon was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 24) and [his future wife] Jane Ferneley.
In 1535 [his mother] Isabel or Eleanor Cage (age 57) died in Hesset, Suffolk.
Around 1538 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 27) was given the manors of Redgrave, Suffolk [Map], Botesdale, Suffolk [Map] and Gislingham, Suffolk [Map] in Suffolk by Henry VIII (age 46).
Before 1540 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 29) and Jane Ferneley were married.
Around 1540 [his son] Nicholas Bacon 1st Baronet was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 29) and [his wife] Jane Ferneley.
Around 1541 [his daughter] Elizabeth Bacon was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 30) and [his wife] Jane Ferneley.
In 1544 Thomas Gresham (age 25) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Ferneley were married.
In 1545 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 34) was elected MP Dartmouth.
In 1546 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 35) was appointed Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries.
Around 1546 [his son] Nathaniel Bacon was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 35) and [his wife] Jane Ferneley.
On 21 Dec 1546 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 26) and [his future sister-in-law] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 20) were married.
On 02 Nov 1548 [his father] Robert Bacon (age 69) died in Hesset, Suffolk.
In 1549 [his son] Edward Bacon of Shrubland Hall was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 38) and [his wife] Jane Ferneley.
In 1549 [his son] Anthony Bacon was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 38) and [his future wife] Anne Cooke (age 22).
In 1552 [his wife] Jane Ferneley died.
In 1553 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 42) and Anne Cooke (age 26) were married.
In 1558 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 47) was appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal following Elizabeth I's accession. He was supported in the appointment by his brother-in-law William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 37).
On 27 Jun 1558 Thomas Hoby (age 28) and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Cooke (age 31) were married.
On 27 Jun 1558 Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans (age 45) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Cooke were married.
On 03 Aug 1558 [his sister-in-law] Margaret Cooke died.
In or before 1559 [his brother-in-law] Richard Cooke (age 29) and Anne Caunton (age 32) were married.
On 01 Aug 1559 Archbishop Matthew Parker (age 54) was elected Archbishop of Canterbury. He was helped by his friend Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 48).
On 22 Jan 1561 [his son] Francis Bacon 1st Viscount St Alban was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 50) and [his wife] Anne Cooke (age 34).
On 01 Jan 1562 the New Years Gift Giving was held. Those who gave gifts provide an interesting who's who of the Elizabethan Court soon after Elizabeth I's Coronation. Queen Elizabeth (age 28) was present since a number are described as "With the Qene her Majestie."
For 'dimy' read 'demi' ie half-sovereigns.
Neweeyeur's Gyftes gevon to the Quene her Majestie by those Parsons whose Names hereafter ensue, the first of January, the Yere above wrytten.
By the Lady Margaret Strainge (age 22), a little round mounte of golde to conteyne a pomaunder in it. With the Qene her Majestie. Note. Lady Margaret Strange married Henry Stanley Lord Strange (age 30) on 07 Feb 1555. In 1561 he had not succeeded to Earldom of Derby and was known by the courtesy title Lord Strange. She is listed first since she was one of the few remaining direct descendants of Henry VII, being a great-granddaughter by his daughter Mary Tudor. Margaret Clifford (age 22) was first in line to succeed in 1568 but died in 1596 before Elizabeth I.
Dukes, Marquises and Earls.
By the Duke of Norfolke (age 25), in a purse of purple silke and golde knit, in sundry coynes of golde £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Winchester (age 79), High Threasourer of Englande, in a purse of crymsen satten, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Northampton (age 50), in a purse of crymsen silke and gold knit, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Arundell (age 49), Lord Steward, in a paper, in angels, £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Shrewesburye (age 34), in a red silke purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Darbye (age 52), in a purse of crymsen satten, embraudered with golde, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Pembroke (age 61), in a purse of black silk and silver knit, in new angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Bedforde (age 35), in a purse of black silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Rutlande (age 35), in a purse of red silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraigns and angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Huntingdon, in a red silk purse, in angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Westmerlande (age 37), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Oxforde (age 46), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Northumberlande (age 34), in a purse of black silke and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d. With the Quene her Highness.
By the Earle of Warwike (age 32), a smocke wrought with black silk, a peire of slevis, and a partelett wrought with gold, silver, and black silke. Delivered to the Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Viscounte Mountague (age 33), in a purse of cloth of golde, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Bishops. The list of Bishops ends with "With her said Majestie"; unclear whether this refers to all the Bishops listed.
By the Archbusshop of Caunterbury (age 57), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £40 0s 0d.
By the Archbusshop of York (age 61), in soveraigns £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Duresme (age 42), in a purse of crymson silk and gold knytt, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Ely (age 69), in a red vellat purse, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Wynchester (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt and set with pearles, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of London (age 43), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Salisbury (age 39), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Worcester (age 43), in a black vellat purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lyncoln (age 42), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chychester (age 64), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Norwich (age 50), in a blew silk purse £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Hereforde (age 52), in a green silk purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lychfield and Coventry (age 48), in a red satten purse, in angells £13 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Rochester (age 48), in a red purse, in gold £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Saint Davies (age 55), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Bathe, in a purse of red silk, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Exetour, in a blew silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Peterborowe, in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chester, in a red purse, in angells and soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Duchesses and Countesses.
By the Duchess of Norfolke (age 22), in a prse of crymsen silk and gold knyt, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Duchess of Somerset (age 65), in a purse of silver and black silk, in royalls and ducketts £14 0s 0d. Probably the Dowager Duchess of Somerset since her husband Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset had been executed in 1552, and their children disinherited as a result.
By the Countess of Surrey, in a purse of tawny silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Dowager since her husband Henry Howard 1516-1547, by courtesy Earl Surrey, had been executed in 1547.
By the Countess of Pembroke (age 38), in a cherry bag of crymsen satten, in new angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Bedford (age 36), in a purse of crymsen silk and silver knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Darby (age 51), in a purse of crymson sattin embrodred with gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Oxford (age 36), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury, Dowager (age 62), in a purse of black silk knytt, in dimy soveraignes £12 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury (age 37), in a red silk purse knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon, Dowager (age 51), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon (age 24), in a red purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Northumberland (age 24), in a purse of black silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Rutland (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
Viscountesses.
By the Vicountess Hereford, Dowager (age 42), six hankercheffes edged with gold delivered to the said Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Vicountess Mountague (age 24), in a purse of cloth of gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Lordes.
By the Lorde Keeper of the Great Seale, Bacon (age 51), in a purse of silver knytt, in angells £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde William Howard, Lord Chamberlen (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Pagett (age 56), in a greene purse in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Clynton, Lord Admyrall (age 50), in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Riche (age 65), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde North (age 66), in a purse of purple silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Lumley (age 29), in a paper, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Hastings of Loughboro (age 41), in a red silk purse, in French crowns £13 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Stafford (age 60), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Windsor (age 30), in a purse of crymsn silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
by Lorde John Graye (age 38), a haunce pott of allabaster garnished with silver gilt. Delivered in charge to John Asteley, Esq Master and Threasourer of her Highnes Jewels and Plate. Lord John Grey assumed to be a courtesy title his father being Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset.
By the Lorde Barkeley (age 27), in a red purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Mountejoye (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Abergavennye (age 36), in a purse of red silke, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Scrowpe (age 28), in a purse of blak silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Caree of Hundesdon (age 35), in a purse of crymsen silk, in double ducketts £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Strainge (age 30), in a purse of red silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Lord Strange being the courtesy title for the Earldom of Derby. He wouldn't inherit until 1572.
By the Lorde Darcey of Chichey (age 30), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes, £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shefild (age 24), in a red silk purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shandowes (age 40), in a blak silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Ladyes.
By the Baroness Howarde (age 47), in a purse of crymsen silk and knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Clinton (age 35), a peire of sleevis of gold, pulled out with lawne. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Baroness Genevillet, in gold £6 13s 4d.
By the Lady Barkeley (age 24), Lord Barkeley's wife, in gold £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Mountejoye (age 30), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Abergavenny, in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Caree of Hundesdon (age 33), in a blak purse knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Taylboyes, Sir Peter Carewe's (age 48) wyfe, in a purse of blak silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Cobham (age 23), a partelett and a peire of sleeves of sypers wrought with silver and blak silke. Re-delivered to herself.
By the Lady Dakers (age 21), a warming ball of gold, per oz. 3 oz. dim. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shefilde (age 20), a paire of sleeves wrought with fringe of blak silk and lozeng of gold. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Margaret Baroness Scrope (age 18), in a purse of blak silk and silver, in angells £7 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shandowes (age 38), a peire of sleeves and a partlett of gold and silver knytt, cawle fashion. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Lady Knowlles (age 38), a feyne carpett of needleworke, theverende frienged and buttoned with gold and silk. Delivered to John Torneworth, Groom of the Privy Chamber.
By the Lady Butler, in a little white purse, in French crowns £6 0s 0d. With her said Majestie. Unclear as to who Lady Butler refers to.
By the Lady Raclyef, a peire of sleeves of cameryk, all over sett with purle, and two sweet bags. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Apr 1562. The xx day of Aprell was mared in the parryche of sant Donstones in the est [his brother] master Bacun('s) (age 47) dowther, the salter, and brodur unto my lord keper (age 51) of the selle of England; and ther was a grett wedyng; and after the marege done home to dener, for ther dynyd my lord keper (age 51) and most of the conselle, and mony lades and mony of the quen's maydes gorgyowsly aparrell(ed), and grett chere; and master Valuntyne Browne dyd mare here [her], the audetour of Barwyke; ther was as gret chere as has byne sene in thes days.
Note. P. 280. Marriage of master Bacon's daughter. James Bacon, a brother of the lord keeper, was a fishmonger and alderman of London, and sheriff in 1569, but died in 1573, before arriving at the mayoralty. He was buried at St. Dunstan's in the East, and his epitaph will be found in Stowe's Survay, edit. 1633, p. 139.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25 May 1562. The xxv day of May was bered master Godderyke (age 56) sqwyer, the wyche he ded at ys place with-in Whyt-freres, and cared unto sant Andrew's in Holborne [Map] to be bered; and ther was the compene of the Clarkes syngyng pryke-song, and then cam a morner careng ys pennon of armes, and then cam master Yorke beyryng ys cott armur, and after master Clarenshus (age 52); and then cam the corse with a ryche palle of tynsell and ryche cloth of sylver with armes of bokeram; and then the morners, and after the byshope of Canturbere (age 57) and the byshope of Ely (age 69) and the byshope of London (age 43), and next my lord keper (age 51) and my lord cheyffe justus of England and mony worshephull men, and after ij C [200] of the ines of the cowrt folowd; and the dene of Powlles (age 45) dyd pryche for hym.
Note. P. 283. Funeral of master Godderyke. It seems not improbable, from the attendance at this funeral, that this was a brother or near relative of the late bishop of Ely and lord chancellor. In the register of St. Andrew's he is styled sir Richard Goodricke. (Malcolm.)
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22 Jun 1562. The xxij day of June was the masters the Salters' fest, and ther dynyd my lord keper of the selle (age 51) and my lord of Bedfoord (age 35) and my lord cheyff justes.
Henry Machyn's Diary. Jul 1562. The .. day of July was christened the dowther of Wylliam Harve (age 52) aleas Clarenceux king of armes, in the parryche of sant Brydes, the godfather Cordall master of the rolles knyght, and the godmothers my [his wife] lade Bacon (age 35) my lord keper('s) (age 51) wyff, and my [his sister-in-law] lade Sysselle (age 36) [Note. Sister of Anne Cooke (age 35)] wife of ser Wylliam Sysselle (age 41); and after unto master Clarenshux('s), and ther was a grett bankett as I have sene, and wassail, of epocras, Frenche wyne, Gaskyn wyne, and Reynys [wine,] with grett plente, and all ther servandes had a banekett in the hall with dyvers dyssys [dishes].
From 1563 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 52) had Gorhambury House, Hertfordshire [Map] built in the Prodigy House style.
Around 1564 [his son] Nicholas Bacon 1st Baronet (age 24) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Butts (age 16) were married.
On 29 Jun 1569 [his son] Nathaniel Bacon (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Gresham (age 19) were married at St Sepulchre without Newgate Church.
Around May 1578 [his son-in-law] Henry Neville (age 58) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Bacon (age 37) were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 20 Feb 1579 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 68) died at Old Gorhambury House, St Albans.
On 27 Aug 1610 [his former wife] Anne Cooke (age 83) died.
Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 03 May 1621. Never had any man in those great places of gain he had gone through, having been Attorney Greneral before he was Lord Chancellor, so ill-husbanded the time, or provided for himself. His vast prodigality had eaten up all his gains; for it was agreed by all men, that he owed at this present at least £20,000 more than he was worth. Had he followed the just and virtuous steps of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Knt., his father, that continued Lord Keeper of the Great Seal some eighteen years under Queen Elizabeth, of ever blessed memory, his life might have been as glorious as by his many vices it proved infamous. For though he were an eminent scholar imd a reasonable good lawyer, both which he much adorned with his eloquent expression of himself and his graced delivery, yet his vices were so stupendous and great, as they utterly obscured and out-poised his virtues. He was immoderately ambitious and excessively proud, to maintain which he was necessitated to injustice and bribery, taking sometimes most basely of both sides. To this latter wickedness the favour he had with the beloved Marquis of Buckingham (age 28) emboldened him, as I learned in discourse from a gentleman of his bedchamber, who told me he was sure his lord should never fall as long as the said Marquis continued in favour. His most abominable and darling sin, I should rather bury in silence than mention it, were it not a most admirable instance how men are inflamed by wickedness, and held captive by the devil1. He lived, many years after his fall, in his lodgings in Gray's Inn, in Holborn, in great want and penury.
Note 1. D'Ewes here specifically charges Bacon with on abominable offence, in language too gross for publication. He states that it was supposed by some, that he would have been tried at the bar of justice for it; and says, that his guilt was so notorious while he was at York House [Map], in the Strand, and at his lodgings in Gray's Inn, Holborn, that the following verses were cast into his rooms:
Note 2. Within this sty a hog3 doth lie. That must be hang'd for villany." It is but right to add, that D'Ewes is the only authority for this imputation.
Note 3. Alluding, of course, to his surname of Bacon.
Thomas D'Oyly and [his daughter] Elizabeth Bacon were married.
Unknown Painter. Posthumous portrait of Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper.
John Russell and Elizabeth Cooke were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years; she, unusually, being older than him. He the son of Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford and Margaret St John Countess Bedford.
[his daughter] Anne Bacon was born to Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper and Jane Ferneley.
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bacon
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bacon
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Bacon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Bacon
GrandFather: John Bacon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Crofts
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Crofts
Father: Robert Bacon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Cockfield
GrandMother: Agnes Cockfield
GrandFather: John Cage
Mother: Isabel or Eleanor Cage