Family and Education

b. c.1556, 1st s. of Richard Master, MD, physician to Queen Elizabeth, by Elizabeth, da. of John Fultnetby of Fultnetby, Lincs.; bro. of Robert. educ. Trinity Coll. Camb. Mich. 1573; St. John’s, Oxf. 1575; L. Inn 6 May 1575. m. Bridget, da. of John Cornwall of Marlborough, Wilts., 2s. 3da. suc. fa. 1588.

Offices Held

J.p. Glos. from 1592.

Biography

Master’s father had enjoyed a high reputation as a physician, and had been granted in 1565 by Queen Elizabeth the site and lands of Cirencester abbey. It was here that Master spent most of his life. In 1594 he was one of those who recommended Jasper Stone as comptroller of the port of Gloucester. Eight years later he was mentioned as ‘fit to be sheriff’ of Gloucestershire but the appointment was not made. In his will, dated 9 Aug. 1604, he trusted ‘by the merit of Christ’s death and passion’ that he would ‘be gathered to the Saints in Heaven, and enjoy the blessed communion of God and His Saints in eternal glory’. His wife received an annuity of £200, and ‘all her apparel, jewels and rings, and the furniture in her chamber’. To his four younger children he bequeathed £1,000 each, and provision was also made for their ‘breeding up ... in virtuous education’. The will was proved on 5 Dec.

Vis. Glos. (Harl. Soc. xxi), iii; W. R. Williams, Parl. Hist. Glos. 152; DNB (Master, Richard); Bristol and Glos. Arch. Soc. Trans. xx. 184; CSP Dom. 1591-4, p. 555; HMC Hatfield, xii. 497; PCC 94 Harte.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: J.J.C.

Notes