Semark – Cecil Link
Ann Semark, after the decease
of William Sapcote married Sir David Phelip. David in the fourteenth year of
Henry V11 was sheriff of the counties of Bedford and Buckingham. He was a
benefactor to the church of Holme. A
window of that church : “Of your Charite pray for Sir Davy Phelip and my lady
his wife, and for all benefactors of this windowe”. David living in 1502. From “Bridges Northampton”
Philip, Sir David (1450-1506) : of
Thornhaugh, Northants and Stamford. Squire of the Body 1485-1503, Keeper of
Windsor Park; Servant to Lady Margaret. MP Northamptonshire 1491-2 (?1502)
Born in Wales : m.c 1485 Anne daughter and heir of
Thomas Semark of Thornhaugh and widow of Sir William Sapcote.
Served Henry
Tudor in France; fought at Bosworth. Then made in quick succession – bailiff of
Whittlesea mere, keeper of Windsor little park (jointly with Mr Richard Fox,
the Kings secry), squire of the body with 50 marks yearly fee, steward of
Fotheringhay, of Colly Weston, and of the Duchy lands in Northamptonshire and
Hunts, parker of King’s Cliffe, Northants; keeper and governor of Jersey and
the castle of Gurrey (ie Mont Orgueil) there (jointly with Matthew Baker), 28
Feb 1486. He got Catesby’s manors of Clipsham and Kirby-Bellars, and a corrody
in Glos; exempted from redemption, 1485; deputy butler at Boston 1488; Sheriff,
Northants, 1488-9; J.P Northants 1488-94.
He was apptd
to try breaches of military discipline in 1492, and Drakard says that he was
employed by the lady Margaret as tutor to the infant heirs of the nobility and
gentry, At Stamford, at Whittlesea mere, at Colly Weston, at King’s Cliffe – in
so many grants, offices and places was he partner or forerunner of David Cecil
(q.v) that a relationship between them seems likely [note see below]. Vice
Chamberlain to Arthur , Prince of Wales, 1495; JP in Bucks, Glos, Heref., Salop
and Worcs.; keeper of the swans, cygnets etc in Lincs, N’hants, Hunts and
Cambs; pardoned in 1496; sheriff, Bucks and Beds 1498-9; master forester of
Weybridge , 1501; kntd 18 Feb 1503; to him was committed the “finding and
raiment” of Margaret Pole, Clarence da and heir, 1503; apptd by Parliament
comnr. For the collection in Hunts of the subsidy of 1504; steward of the lands
of Sir Guy Wolston (q.v) decd Aug 1504; jointly by David Cecil in the
keepership of King’s Cliffe.
Died just
before 22 October 1506, when writs of diem clausit were sent to the eschrs. Of
Hunts, Lincs, Bucks and Rutland. Will dated 25 September proved 10 December
1506. To be buried in St Mary’s Stamford. To wife £100, 60 oxen, 12 kine, 100
wethers and a gold goblet. Bequests to Son Hugh, and to daughter Margaret (
Lady Margaret’s god-child ?) , and to litell Davy Philip 10 ewe and 10
“lambys”, and to each of his das. 5 ewe and 10s . Bequests to godsons, Davy
Souche, Davy Lynee etc to each godson called Davy 10s. Residue to Son Hugh.
Exors :- Edward Hawtrey, Davy Scisseld (Cecil), Hugh Edwards, Robert Burnard.
Supervisor, Master of Fotheringhay college. From “ Members of the House of
Commons” by Roskell.
David Cecil (1460-1540), The Cecil family’s
humble origin was to be often used to denigrate William and Robert Cecil. Its
fortunes were founded by David Cecil’s service with Sir David Philip, who may
have been his uncle. After perhaps fighting alongside him at Bosworth, Cecil
settled near Philip at Stamford and married a kinswomen of his wife; Philip
stood godfather to Cecil’s second son, was associated with him in grants of
office and appointed him an executor.