Biography of Robert Aske 1500-1537

Maternal Family Tree: Aoife NI Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188

Around 1500 Robert Aske was born to Robert Aske (age 35) and Elizabeth Clifford (age 39).

On 21 Feb 1531 [his father] Robert Aske (age 66) died.

On 21 Feb 1531 [his mother] Elizabeth Clifford (age 70) died at Tufton, Cumberland.

Hall's Chronicle 1536. Dec 1536. This year in December was the Thames of London all frozen over wherefore the King’s Majesty with his beautiful spouse Queen Jane (age 27), rode throughout the City of London to Greenwich. And this Christmas the King by his messengers and heralds sent down into the North his general pardons to all capital offenders and shortly after came Aske (age 36) to London, and so to the court to the King. This Aske was the chief captain of the last rebellion in the North, and now both pardoned of the King, and his grace received him into his favour and gave unto him apparel and great rewards, but as after you shall perceive Aske (age 36) enjoyed not the King his new friends kindness a year and a day, and pity it was that he had any favour at all, for there lived not a veriar [?] wretch as well in person as in conditions and deeds, especially against his anointed governor and sovereign Lord.

Bigod's Rebellion

Hall's Chronicle 1537. Dec 1536. Also in the latter end of this yere, the lord Darcy (age 69), Aske (age 36), Sir Robert constable (age 58), Sir Jhon Bulmer and his wyfe (age 25), Sir Thomas Percie (age 32) brother to the Erie of Northumberland (age 34), Syr Stephen Hamelton, Nicholas Tempest (age 56) Esquire, William Lumley, son to the lord Lumley (age 44) began again to conspire, although they before had every one of them their pardons, and now they were all taken and brought to the Tower of London [Map].

On 17 Jan 1537 Thomas Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Templehurst (age 70) wrote to Robert Aske (age 37) and Robert Constable (age 59) ... Of Sir Fras Bigod (age 29) I heard, this day at dinner, as you wrote; and more, that Hallum was taken at Hull yesterday with a letter in his purse from Sir Francis Bigod (age 29) promising that he and all the West Base Countries would rise and come forward. This day with my servant, Alan Gefreyson, I sent you my news which are of such bruits, rages, and furies as the like I have not read nor heard of. I sent to my cousin Ellerker and Whartton for the premises concerning Hull. My advice is that you stay the people till the coming of my lord of Norfolk (age 64), which, I hear, shall be shortly, and all the gentlemen that is above of the North with him. He brings gracious answers of the Parliament and petitions. Good Mr. Aske, where you write desiring me to stay my quarters; there has yet been no stir in my rooms and lands, but what was caused by other wild countries and dales. I shall do my duty, and play my part therein, though I lie in my bed. I hear my lord of Cumberland is likely to have business for two prisoners he keeps.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 14 May 1537. Also the 14th day of May was brought from the Tower [Map] to Westminster the Lord Darcy (age 70) and Lord Hussey (age 72), and there were condemned to death, but they were had in to the North and there sufferd with Aske (age 37).

Hall's Chronicle 1537. 02 Jun 1537 In June the lord Darcy (age 70) and the lord Hosey [Map] were arraigned at Westminster before the Marques of Exceter (age 41), then High Steward of England, and they were both found guilty and had their judgement as in cases of high treason.

After 02 Jun 1537. Shortly after were also arraigned Sir Robert Constable (age 59), Sir Thomas Percy (age 33), Sir Fraunces Bygod (age 29), Sir Stephin Hamelton, Sir Jhon Bulmer and his wife (deceased), which some reported was not his wife but his paramour, also William Lumley, Nicholas Tempest (age 57), and the Abbots of Jerney (age 35) and Rivers, and Robert Aske (age 37), and all found guilty of high treason, and all put to death at Tiborne [Map], saving Sir Robert Constable (age 59), which was hanged in chains on Beverley gate at Hull and Aske (age 37) was also hanged in chains in Yorke on a Tower, and Sir John Bulmer’s Paramour (deceased), was burned in Smithfclde [Map] in London. And in the latter end of June, was the Lord Darcy (age 70) beheaded at Tower Hill [Map], and shortly after was the Lord Hosey (age 70) beheaded at Lyncolne [Map].

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 26 Jun 1537. And the 26th [or 27th] day of June was had in to the North to be hanged and headed Lord Hussey (age 72), Sir Robert Constable (age 59), and Aske (age 37), and they suffered as they were worthy.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1536. 30 Jun 1537. This yeare, the 30th daie of June, the Lord Darcye (age 70) was beheaded at the Tower Hill, and his head sett on London Bridge, and his bodie buried at the Crossed Friars beside the Tower of London.

Also the Lord Hussey (deceased) was beheaded at Lyncolne, and Sir Robert Constable (age 59) was hanged at Hull in Yorkeshire in chaines. Aske (age 37) was hanged in the cittie of Yorke in chaines till he died.

Letters and Papers 1537. 3 July.

203. Norfolk to Cromwell.

Calig. B. vii. 224. B. M.

Received yesternight his letter of the 28 June and a packet under the King's Seal. Has appointed all therein named of the West Marches to be with him at York, Friday se'nnight, when Aske (age 37) is to suffer. Before his execution an exhortation to be given. Will take care to satisfy the King.

Letters and Papers 1537. 08 Jul 1537. 228. Cromwell (age 52) to Sir Thomas Wyat (age 34).

Harl. MS. 282, f. 205. B. M. Nott's Wyatt, 316.

Writes this by George Pery, a gentleman of M. Chappuys, the Emperor's ambassador. Here at Stepney this morning arrived Rougecroix the herald with Wyat's letters dated 24 June. Forwarded them straightway to the King at Oking. Thanks him for his letters written at his first arrival before he had audience and for those now received. Touching communications with the Emperor's ambassadors, of which Cromwell wrote by M. de Vauldray, hopes for a good result. No news since last writing. The traitors have been executed, lord Darcy (deceased) at Tower Hill and lord Hussey (deceased) at Lincoln, Aske (age 37) hanged upon the dungeon of York Castle, Sir Robt. Constable (deceased) hanged at Hull, and the rest at Thyfbourne; so that all the cankered hearts are weeded away.

On 12 Jul 1537 Robert Aske (age 37) was hanged in chains at Clifford's Tower. The date may have been Friday 06 Jul as implied by the letters of the Duke of Norfolk?

George aka William Lumley and Nicholas Tempest (age 57) were hanged at Tyburn [Map].

Letters and Papers 1537. 20 Jul 1537. 292. Richard Coren to Cromwell.

R. O. St. P. i. 557.

Excuses his slack letters by his absence from my Lord of Norfolk at the expedition of the last post. Was present at Aske's (deceased) execution, as well as at that of Sir Robert Constable (deceased), which no doubt Thomas Hossy has described. Noted in both men "that they thought a religion to keep secret between God and them certain things rather than open their whole stomach; from the which opinion I could not abduce them." For Robert Aske's demeanour, refers to the schedule enclosed. Sherifhoton, 20 July.

ii. Goods which Robert Aske had during the commotion, whereof no satisfaction is made, to his remembrance.

First, Mr. Lacy sent to him to Hull £10 of Dr. Halsworth's goods, and an obligation of the Abbot of Kirkstead, Linc, which the subprior of Watton had. 2. The vicar of Braton sent him 10 sheep and 30s., but of whose goods he knows not. 3. Had sent from Drake Abbey to Wresill 10 or 12 qrs. of oats and 3 qrs. of wheat. 4. From Wato[n], 40 sheep. 5. Had of Mr. Krake's goods, sheep to the value of £4 10s. Thinks that is all he had, "not given and not restored," and begs the King to pay them out of his goods for the discharge of his conscience.

In Aske's hand and subscribed: "This is Ask's own hand delivered unto me, Richard Coren."

St. P. i. 558.

iii. "The saying of Robert Aske to me, Richard Coren, out of confession to-for his death.

"First, he said that my lord Darcy (deceased) did tell him that he had spoken with the emperor's ambassador concerning his purpose in this late rebellion, for the causes of the Church, as he said, and that the said ambassador should encourage him unto the same, saying that he should lack none help."

2. Lord Darcy (deceased), Sir Robt. Constable (deceased), and he were about to send Doctor Marmaduke to the Council in Flanders for aid and ordnance.

3. That my lord Privy Seal "did not bear so great favour to my Lord of Norfolk as he thought he did; which thing I have kept secret from my said Lord of Norfolk."

4. When he "should be" laid on the hurdle to be drawn he openly confessed he had offended God, the King, and the world. After this he declared that the King was so gracious that none should be troubled for offences comprised in the pardon. He was then laid on the hurdle and drawn through the notable places of the city "desiring the people ever as he passed by to pray for him."

5. At the place of execution he was taken off the hurdle, repeated like confession, and ascended up into the dungeon to wait the coming of my Lord of Norfolk.

6. "Item, there were two things, wherewithal he was aggrieved. The one was, that he said my lord Privy Seal spake a sore word and affirmed it with a stomach, swearing that all the Northern men were but traitors: where-withal he was somewhat offended. The second was that my lord Privy Seal sundry times promised him a pardon of his life, and at one time he had a token from the King's Majesty of pardon for confessing the truth. These two things he showed to no man in these North parts, as he said, but to me only; which I have and will ever keep secret."

7. At Norfolk's arrival Aske ascended the tower to the gallows, repeated his former confession and asked forgiveness of the King, my lord Chancellor, my Lord of Norfolk, my lord Privy Seal, my Lord of Sussex, and all the world; and after orisons made on the ladder, commended his soul to God.

Pp. 5. All in Coren's hand, except § ii. Add.: Privy Seal. Sealed and endd.

[his father] Robert Aske and [his mother] Elizabeth Clifford were married. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Robert Aske 1500-1537 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1364-1425

Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey 1318-1372

Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl Arundel 8th Earl Surrey 1306-1376

Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent 1350-1397

Royal Ancestors of Robert Aske 1500-1537

Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 9 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Philip "Bold" III King France

Ancestors of Robert Aske 1500-1537

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Aske

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Aske 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gascoigne VII

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Gascoigne

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Frank

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gascoigne 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Mowbray 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mowbray 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: John Aske 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Father: Robert Aske 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Bigod

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bigod

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Bigod

Great x 3 Grandmother: Amy Settrington

Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Bigod Lord Morley 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Piers Mauley 4th Baron de Mauley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Piers Mauley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Meinhill Baroness Darcy Knayth and Haversham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Constance Mauley Lady Morley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Sutton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Sutton Baroness Ferrers Harewood Baroness Haversham

GrandMother: Elizabeth Bigod 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Greystoke 2nd Baron Greystoke 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Fitzhenry Baroness Greystoke

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Clifford Baroness Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Greystoke 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ferrers Baron Wem and Oversley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Ferrers 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Boteler Baroness Ferrers Wem 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster

Robert Aske 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Clifford 8th Baron Clifford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Neville 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 3rd Earl March, Earl Ulster 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Plantagenet Countess March 5th Countess Ulster Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Dacre 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Dacre 5th Baron Dacre Gilsland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 6th Baron Dacre Gilsland

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Douglas 2nd Earl Douglas

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Douglas Baroness Dacre Gilsland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mistress Unknown

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Dacre Baroness Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa Neville Baroness Dacre Gilsland 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Mother: Elizabeth Clifford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Bromflete

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Bromflete 1st Baron Vesci

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward St John

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward St John

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eve Hauterive

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret St John

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Aton 2nd Baron Aton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eustace Anastasia Aton

GrandMother: Margaret Bromflete Baroness Clifford 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Holland 1st Baron Holand

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Zouche Baroness Holand 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wake Countess Kent 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Holland Duchess York 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 9th Earl Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl Arundel 8th Earl Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth