BRACEBRIDGE, Roland (d.1583), of Chipping Wycombe, Bucks.

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

s. of (?John) Bracebridge of Chipping Wycombe by his w. Alice. m. Anne, s.p.

Offices Held

Farmer of the subsidy and alnage on cloth, Beds. and Bucks. from Mich. 1552.

Mayor, Chipping Wycombe 1575-6, alderman to 1578-9.

Biography

Bracebridge’s father was a leading figure in Chipping Wycombe in the first half of the sixteenth century, his subsidy assessment in 1524 being among the highest in the town. His own life was also largely confined to Wycombe, though he leased property in Stratford-by-Bow in London. The heirs mentioned in the will he made 19 Aug. 1583—although they are called Bracebridge—were either nephews or illegitimate sons. The will was proved by his widow 21 Oct. of that year. He asked that he should be buried in the lady chapel of Wycombe church, and left 20s. for the preaching of a sermon. Among the bequests was one of 2s. to every poor house and family living by alms in Wycombe. Anne Bracebridge received a legacy of £20, her chamber in the house at Wycombe, and £6 a year for life. Bracebridge’s office of the alnage, ‘if it may be obtained at my lord treasurer’, was bequeathed to Roland, one of his heirs. A number of aldermen of Wycombe also received small bequests.

PCC 6 Butts, 15 Sheffelde; First Wycombe Ledger Bk. ed. Greaves (Bucks. Rec. Soc. xi), 75, 81, 95, 97; Subsidy Roll for 1524 (Bucks. Rec. Soc. viii), 28; CPR, 1553 and App. Edw. VI, 389; C2 Eliz./B19/49.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A. M. Mimardière

Notes