Apr 24 2021 16 mins
The Hobbyes come to Bisham. Sir Philip, the King and the Stonor connection, Sir Thomas, the Courtier and the wedding, Princess Elizabeth under arrest. Religious turmoil. Diplomacy after death.
Sir Philip Hobbye took over the Bisham estate in 1553 . In consideration of the good time and faithful service and council to us by our beloved councillor Philip Hobbye, Knight Do give and grant to the aforesaid the site of the late monastery of Bysham otherwise Bustlesham = Montague in the county of Berks.
Sir Philip had been undertaking important work on behalf of Henry VIII since 1536, he married Elizabeth Stonor in 1540, part of Catherine Parr’s inner circle and daughter of Sir Walter Stonor, ; this marriage created a local family connection that was to last for generations. Sir Philip had been knighted in 1544 and made Master-General of Ordinance in 1547.
He initiated significant building work at Bisham in 1556/7. It seems that the tombs of the Earls of Salisbury had also been demolished along with the priory. The work at Bisham was undertaken to the highest quality and the workmen included Flemish bricklayers, who were considered superior to the English. The new building included rooms added on the south side of the hall and in 1560, a turret on the north side at the heart of the Abbey with a Newel Staircase. A large oriel window was constructed on the solar, later the council chamber (now known as the Elizabethan room) used by Princess Elizabeth whilst she was under house arrest at Bisham from 1556 - 1558. The Flemish tapestries in the great Hall were cut up. Sir Philip died in Blackfriars on 31 May 1558
His heir was his much younger half-brother, Thomas Hobye (1530 – 1566) 25 years his junior, who was also learned and well-travelled. He had been presented at court in 1550 and joined the service of the Marquis of Northampton undertaking missions to Paris and Italy. On inheriting the Bisham Estate. Sir Thomas wasted no time; he married Elizabeth Cooke on 27 June 1558 at Bisham Church, just 3 weeks after his brother’s death. Her father, Sir Anthony Cooke of Gidea Park Romford was tutor to Edward V1. Elizabeth Cooke was highly educated, which was unusual for a woman at that time. It was the new Lady Elizabeth Hobye (b 1528 ) who was to ensure the family left an enduring legacy.
Thomas is known for his translation, from Italian, of Baldessare Castiglione's book, ' II Cortegiano’, which laid out his vision of the ideal gentleman and lady,The Book of the Courtier ran to 4 editions when finally published in English in 1561 and a diary entitled Travels and life of Sir Thomas Hoby Kt of Bisham Abbey, written by himself 1547 – 1564, bound in red leather, which is now held in the British Museum.
Princess Elizabeth spent nearly 3 years living in Bisham Abbey . As Elizabeth I she returned the country to the Church of England. The Hobyes at Bisham were Protestants and thus avoided the religious persecution that was the fate of many local catholic families such as the Brinkhursts.
In March 1566 Thomas was knighted at Greenwich and became the English Ambassador to France and went to Paris with his wife and 3 children. He died in July that year, aged only 36. Lady Elizabeth had to organise the return of the household to Bisham, whilst pregnant with another son who was to be called Thomas Posthumous as he was born after his father’s death (1566 – 1640). The Worshipfull Mr Thomas Hobbey Knight was buried at Bisham on 3rd September 1565.
Two worthye knights, and Hobies bothe by name
Enclosed within this marble stone do rest
Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark
Sounds effects from Freesound.org.
Image is Sir Philip's memorial