GAWDY, Clipsby (d.1619), of Little Wenham, Suff.

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

4th s. of Thomas Gawdy of Claxton, Norf., justice of the Queen’s bench, by his 2nd w. Frances, da. of Henry Richers of Swannington, Norf; half-bro. of Henry. educ. Emmanuel, Camb. 1593; I. Temple 1594. m. 1590, Mary, da. of George Brooke of Aspall, wid. of William Bruce, 1s. Kntd. 1603.

Offices Held

J.p. Norf. from c.1601-4, c.1608-d., sheriff 1610-11.

Biography

Clipsby Gawdy inherited from his father scattered property in Norfolk and Berkshire, and was to have Gawdy Hall after his mother’s death. She survived him, however, and he lived mainly at Little Wenham, which had belonged to his wife’s first husband. He also acquired other estates in Suffolk through her, probably including Wingfield House in Ipswich. His return to Parliament for Dunwich in 1597 was due to the patronage of Edward Coke, a friend of the Gawdy family, to whom Dunwich had granted the nomination of one of their burgesses. In December 1600 he thought of standing for the county seat, but withdrew in favour of his half-brother Henry. In 1597 he may have attended one committee to which the burgesses for Dunwich were appointed concerning land reclamation. Like others of his family, he was active in local affairs. He died in December 1619 and was buried at Redenhall, the entry in the register describing him as a ‘most worthy and virtuous knight’. By his will, dated 14 Dec. 1619, he left his property to his widow, the executrix, and her heirs, with remainder to his son Thomas. He also bequeathed some land in Suffolk to Sir John Bruce.

Vis. Norf. (Harl. Soc. xxxii), 126; A. H. Smith thesis, app. v; Norf. Arch. xxvii. 70-4; HMC Var. vii. 85; D’Ewes, 567; HMC Foljambe, 105; PCC 3 Dale.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: J.H.

Notes