Sir Alexander Culpeper of Bedgebury

Male, #8612, (say 1541 - 16 Jan 1599)

Parent*Sir Thomas Culpeper of Bedgebury (s 1501 - 13 May 1558)
Parent*Ellen Hendley (s 1524 - 1606)
Sir Alexander Culpeper of Bedgebury|b. say 1541\nd. 16 Jan 1599|p8612.htm|Sir Thomas Culpeper of Bedgebury|b. say 1501\nd. 13 May 1558|p8592.htm|Ellen Hendley|b. say 1524\nd. 1606|p8599.htm|Sir Alexander Culpeper of Bedgebury & Hardreshull|b. say 1470\nd. 1541|p8451.htm|Constantia Chamberlayn|b. say 1470\nd. 1542|p8459.htm|Sir Walter Hendley of Copshorn in Cranbrook, co. Kent|b. say 1508\nd. say 1550|p8598.htm|Helen Ashburnham|b. say 1505|p56730.htm|

Name Variation  Sir Alexander Culpeper of Bedgebury was also known as Culpepper of Bedgebury. 
Name Variation  Sir Alexander Culpeper of Bedgebury was also known as Colepeper of Bedgebury. 
Birth*say 1541 Alexander was born at Bedgebury, Goudhurst, co. Kent, England, say 1541. 
 He was the son of Sir Thomas Culpeper of Bedgebury and Ellen Hendley. 
Will6 Aug 1557 In Sir Thomas Culpeper of Bedgebury's will on 6 Aug 1557 at Goudhurst, co. Kent, England, Ellen, George, Walter, Ponyng and Alexander was named as an heir.
(Written wt myn owne hande 6 August 1557 I THOMAS CULPEPER of Bedgebery in Kent esquier. To be buried in the chapell ouer agayn where that my graundefather lieth wt in the parish church of Gowdehust [Goudhurst] [or where it please God] according to the laudable custom and vsage that shal then fortune to be had wt in this Realme of England in the Catholicke Churche.
To Ellen my welbeloved wiffe all her apparell, jewelles &e which she hath heretofore at any tyme vsed to ware. Also all my corne and grayne and thone half of all the beofes and muttons and all my beere, wynes, all other kynde of provision at Begebery and Maytam. My wief to keep the partes of my three sonnes, George, Water and Ponyngs Colepepper till they come to 21.
Vnto my said wif my twoo dosenne of siluer plates my twoo white siluer saltes my white basinne and ewer of siluer my littill white cupp off siluer and to Ponnyngs Colepepper his cup, salte and spones that his three godfathers and godmother gave him.
Also to my said wife hir pillion, geldinge and nagge or mare that she vsithe to ryde on. To my said wif and to George, Water, and Ponyngs Colepepper our sonnes £100 egallie to be devided.
All other my cattalles, goods &e., my father, my mothers willes and myn being performed I doo geve unto Alexaunder Culpepper my eldest sonne and executor.
Ouerseers Ellen Culpepper my welbeloved wif, Sr. John baker, Knight, my most derest brother Sr. George Harper and my brother in law Maister George Vane.
To the poor of Gowdeherst, Cranbroke, Hawkeherst, Horsmonden, Lambherst, Marden, Stapleherst, Benenden and Rowenden everye of thies parrishes 20s.
And as concerning my manors, lands &e in Kent, Sussex or elswhere, whereas I have made severall feoffamentes to thuse of my sonnes severally in tayle wt diverse remaynders my will is that all other my mannors &e I will and lymyte to Alexaunder Culpepper my eldest sonne and theirs males of his bodye and for lacke to George C. my sonne and for lacke thenne to Water C. and then to Ponyngs C. and then to theires males of my body and to my right heires.
Codicill: Will my brother George Harper and my brother Vane wt my sonne Alexander be my executors.
I will my brother Harper shalhave my sorrell horse and my brother Fane another at his awne choyse and either of them £40 for their paynes taking and Henry Fane my blacke horse to make hym a horsman.
Proved: 20 October 1558 by Alexander Culpeper executor. (P.C.C. 60 Noodes)).1 
Marriage*21 Oct 1558 He married Mary Dacre at Bedgebury, Goudhurst, co. Kent, England, on 21 Oct 1558.2 
Burial*after 16 Jan 1599 His body was interred after 16 Jan 1599 at Goudhurst, co. Kent, England. 
Death*16 Jan 1599 He died on 16 Jan 1599. 
Biography* Alexander entertained Queen Elizabeth at Bedgebury in 1573 and was knighted. Elizabeth wrote, "Friday, August 7th, went to Mr Culpeper at Bedgebury to supper, stayed the night, dined the following day, knighted Mr Culpeper at Rye on Wednesday 11th." Sir Alexander presented Queen Elizabeth with "an elegant silver cup with cover, on the lip of which was a tuft of flowers." Sir Alexander encouraged iron foundries ("Furnaces and Forge Farms") on his estate and cast guns for the fleet which defeated the Spanish Armada.
There is a splendid memorial to Sir Alexander and his wife Dame Constance on a tomb in St. Mary's Church, Goudhurst. This is two lifesize recumbant figures carved in wood and painted in contemporry colors. Sir Alexander is in asuit of armour and Dame Constance in a tunic and gown, with a pedimental head-dress. Both of their feet rest upon dogs -- his a hound, hers a pet dog. These animals represent some quality of the deceased person, such as bravery, gentleness or affection. (Source: Len Pierce, Goudhurst, Kent).
 

Family

Mary Dacre (say 1538 - )
Child

Charts The Culpepers of Bedgebury, from 1470: Extinct after 7 generations
Last Edited 4 Feb 2007

Citations

  1. Thomas Culpeper of Bedgebury Will, 6 Aug 1557
    Tudor P.C.C. Will Transcription by L. L. Duncan - Book 54 page 70.
  2. LDS Church, compiler, Ancestral File, Intellectual Reserve, Inc..
    http://www.familysearch.org