Family and Education

bap. 10 Aug 1617, 2nd s. of John Vivian of Trewan, St. Columb Major, Cornw. by 2nd w. Mary, da. and coh. of William Cavell of Trehaverock, Cornw. m. bef. 1661, Anne, da. of Justinian Povey of London, auditor to the Exchequer, wid. of William Blathwayt of London, 1da. suc. fa. 1647.1

Offices Held

Yeoman of the robes to Queen Catherine of Braganza 1662-?85; chief clerk of the privy kitchen by 1689-d.2

Commr. for assessment, Cornw. 1666-80, 1689.

Biography

Vivian came from a junior branch of the Vyvyans, settled in St. Columb Major since the 15th century. He was the uncle of Francis Vivian and John Vivian. At the general election of 1660 he was involved in a double return at Camelford, which lay near his mother’s home. The House declared the election void on 12 June, but Vivian was returned at the top of the poll at the by-election. An inactive Member of the Convention, he was marked as a friend by Lord Wharton, and was appointed only to the committees to consider the attainder bill and a petition from a former serjeant-at-arms. In 1662 he applied

for confirmation of the King’s most gracious intentions, on the motion of the lord chamberlain and others, to bestow on him the place of provider or yeoman of the robes to the Queen, as soon as such officers be admitted to attendance.

He obtained the post, presumably through the influence of his brother-in-law, Thomas Povey who was treasurer to the Duke of York. He was buried at St. Martin in the Fields on 3 Sept. 1691.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Authors: M. W. Helms / Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 534-5; Vis. Devon, 754-5; PCC 180 Vere.
• 2. CSP Dom. 1661-2, p. 392; LS13/231/3.
• 3. Devon and Cornw. N. and Q. x. 155; CSP Dom. 1661-2, p. 392.