Family and Education

3rd s. of Sir John Widdrington of Widdrington, Northumb. by his 2nd w. Agnes, da. of Sir Edward Gower of Stittenham, Yorks. m. (1) Margaret, da. of Robert, Lord Ogle, 1s. 1da.; (2) Elizabeth, 1 da.

Offices Held

J.p. Northumb. 1594, sheriff 1595-6.

Biography

The Widdringtons were an old and substantial Northumberland family. It was probably on his father’s death that Widdrington moved with his mother to Plessey, thence, eventually, to Monkwearmouth, which he purchased shortly before his death. His marriage into the Ogle family no doubt enhanced his position in the county he twice represented as knight of the shire. As such, in 1593, he could have attended the subsidy committee (26 Feb.) and a legal committee (9 Mar.). In November 1595 he was pricked sheriff. ‘Honest, religious and wise’, he promised to assist the warden, Lord Eure, in restoring order in the county. Illness, however, which prevented him travelling to London at the beginning of his term of office, seems to have interfered with his duties, and in 1596 his neglect of the shrievalty was brought to the Council’s attention, and he was summoned to attend in January 1597. He died the next year and, in accordance with the wish expressed in his will, was buried at Monkwearmouth. His house and farm there he bequeathed to his wife, Elizabeth, for life. The remaining lands at Plessey, Chibburn, and Shotton, passed to his son John, then aged 20. The third main beneficiary was a daughter, the wife of Robert Dent. She received the lease of coal mines and £100.

Hodgson, Hist. Northumb. ii(2), 235-6, 297, 513; Surtees Soc. xxxviii. 286; D’Ewes, 474, 496; Border Pprs. ii. 94, 232; HMC Hatfield, vii. 71-2; APC, xxvi. 426, 507; xxvii. 13.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: B.D.

Notes