Biography of Edward Zouche of Woking 1588-1634

Around 1588 Edward Zouche of Woking was born to [his father] William Zouche [aged 25].

In 1598 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 10] and Anne Brittayne were married.

After 1598 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 10] and Elizabeth Middlemore were married. She a sister of Anne of Denmark's maid of honour Mary Middlemore.

On 9th May 1609 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 21] was appointed Steward of Woking Manor or Palace and keeper of the park.

In 1612 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 24] and Dorothy Silking were married. She a chamberer in the household of Anne of Denmark.

In 1615 [his son] James Zouche was born to Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 27] and [his wife] Dorothy Silking. He married before 1643 his sixth cousin Beatrice Annesley, daughter of Francis Annesley 1st Viscount Valentia and Jane Stanhope Viscountess Valentia.

In 1618 [his daughter] Sophia Zouche was born to Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 30] and [his wife] Dorothy Silking. She married (1) 1635 her half fourth cousin twice removed Edward Cecil 1st Viscount Wimbledon, son of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter (2) after 1638 Robert King and had issue.

In 1620 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 32] was appointed keeper of Woking Palace. In November that year, Zouch was given the manors of Woking, Bagshot, and Chobham, with the proviso that he should return the service of carrying the first dish to the king's table on the Feast of St James and pay £100. He was also Forester of Woking. Sir Edward proceeded to build himself a new dwellinghouse on some higher ground at Hoe Bridge, about a mile to the north of the palace; this was Hoe Bridge Place or Hoe Place.

On 28th August 1620 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 32] wrote to his cousin Lord Zouch of Odiham that he intended to offer King James and Prince Charles more mirth in their forthcoming visit to Woking than the Bishop of Winchester would at Farnham, with masques every night. King James stayed at Woking with Zouch at the start of September 1624. He hunted towards Busbridge, and wrote to the Duke of Buckingham that he would stay longer, "so earnest I am to kill more of Zouch's great stags."

On 7th June 1634 Edward Zouche of Woking [aged 46] died. In his will, he requested that he be buried at St Peter's Church, Woking [Map] 'at night'. There is a Latin memorial inscription to Zouch placed by his wife in St Peter's Church, noting his court position as "Marescalli Aulici", or "Marshall of the Household".

In 1640 [his former wife] Dorothy Silking died.