Robert Bell (speaker)

Sir Robert Bell (Unknown — 1577) of Beaupre Hall, Norfolk, was a Speaker of the House of Commons "1572-1576, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Knighted 1577, Of Counsel King's Lynn 1560, Recorder from 1561, Bencher Middle Temple 1565, Autumn Reader 1565, Lent Reader 1571", "Of Counsel Great Yarmouth from 11 Feb. 1562–3", "Justice of the Peace of the Quorum Norfolk from 1564, Commissioner of Grain 1576, Musters by 1576, Serjeant-at-Law 1577, 24 January 1577 Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer" (3) (9)

File:The Arms of Sir Robert Bell d. 1577 Grail Crest.png

Education & Religion

Robert Bell of the Middle Temple, may have been privately tutored; possibly by Sir John Cheke, who was a kinsman of William Cecil Lord Burghley (the probable 'behind the scenes architect of the '1566 succession question'; of which, Bell was chosen to represent the House of Commons) who had recomended Bell for Speaker in 1572. Moreover, Sir John Cheke was a close friend and kinsman of a fellow Exchequer colleague of Robert Bell's, Peter Osbourne, who's daughter Anne married his first son Sir Edmond Bell.

In 1566, Robert Bell was lampooned by Thomas Norton as "Bell the Orator" together with others who served on the succession committee. (most of those featured in this publication were puritans, for instance Sir Christopher Yelverton who is styled "Yelverton the poet"). (3)

Furthermore, scholars have surmised that Robert Bell may have attended Cambridge University (protestant leanings), which can be supported by his political alignments during the 1566, Parliamentry Session, particularly, "Mr. Bell's complices"...(Richard Kingsmill and Robert Monson) with whom the Queen referred, during the succession question debate.

However, Bell's marriage to the coheiress Dorthie Beaupre in 1559, reveals that he may have also possessed conservative temperaments (Catholic), which may indicate that he attended Oxford University. This is further supported by the 1567, will of Edmonde Beaupre, where it can be found within the text, that Robert Bell shares the company of a number of well documented conservatives, including Sir William Cordell, Speaker of the House of Commons and Sir Henry Bedingfield of Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk, who had been entrusted with the custody of Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth I) by Queen Mary I; and who's father, Sir Edmund Bedingfield, had been employed in the same capacity, with the care of Katherine of Aragon, following the proceeding's of 1529, from the divorce from King Henry VIII. (6)

Nonetheless, by April 1577, Bell was nominated to be a member of a committee for a special visitation of Oxford University, together with Sir Christopher Wray, Edwin Sandys then bishop of London and John Piers then bishop of Rochester and four others. (State Papers, Domestic, Elizabeth, p. 543)

Marriages

1. ?Mary Chester dau. of Sir Anthony Chester ( a Sir William Chester appears as a witness within the 1556 will of John Bell Priest of Clerkenwell, together with Sir John Bourne and Thomas Darcy of Tolleshunt ; Chester, later in 1560, became Lord Mayor of London); 2. ?Elizabeth Anderson (d.1556-58?), widowed dau. in law of Sir Edmund Anderson, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and finally,

?1. Dorthie, dau and Co-heiress of Edmonde Beaupre Esquire (and Catherine Bedingfield) of Norfolk.

Career

Robert Bell seems to have achieved notable success at the begining of his career, specifically (6 March 1559), upon accomplishing favorable results, for the patentees of the bishop of Winchesters lands (John White); of which he was of counsel, together with Alexander Nowell.

Bell's clients (some, members of the privy chamber of King Henry VIII and of his son King Edward VI) shed light on the associations he enjoyed, and speak highly of his abilities: Henry Clifford of Wiltshire, William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Sir William Fitzwilliam of Gainspark Hall, Sir Philip Hoby, Sir John Mason, Sir Henry Seymour, Sir Henry Neville m. Elizabeth Gresham (the niece of Sir Thomas Gresham), Sir Richard Sackville, Richard Kingsmill, John Owersall, Edmund Gascoygne, and William Karvell. (5)

Bell's career was further secured and launched by his fortunate 'third' marriage (15 Oct 1559), to the baroness Dorthie Beaupre. This afforded him, a large estate in Outwell, Norfolk, along with the local offices and status, that came with it. As MP for King's Lynn, during the 1563 and 1566 Parliaments, Bell made thorough nuisance of himself to the government, and was considered a radical. He was noted by William Cecil Lord Burghley as one of the two leading trouble makers of that session of Parliament.

Additionally, it would appear that on at least one occasion, Elizabeth I, witnessed these qualities, as 'On 19 October 1566, '[Bell] did argue very boldly' to pursue the succession question; "in the face of the Queen's command to leave it alone". "In her own words 'Mr Bell with his complices.... must needs prefer their speeches to the upper house to have you, my lords, consent with them, whereby you were seduced, and of simplicity did assent unto it'. (3)

'Early in the next Parliament (5 Apr, 1571) Bell launched an attack on the Queen's purveyors, who took 'under pretence of her Majesty's service what they would at what price they themselves liked...' 'Later in 1576, this speech was recalled by Peter Wentworth during his motion for liberty of speech: 'The last Parliament he that is now Speaker uttered a very good speech for the calling in of certain licences granted to four courtiers to the utter undoing of 6,000 or 8,000 of the Queen Majesty's subjects.'(3) On 19 April, 1571, Bell was an advocate for the residents of less fortunate boroughs, and 'thought it was necessary that all places should be provided for equally' and further, proposed that all boroughs who sought to nominate a nobleman, should suffer a penalty, "mindful, no doubt of the power of the Duke of Norfolk in his county." (3)

File:Renold Elstrack Queen Elizabeth opens Parliament Prolocutor Sir Robert Bell.jpg

From 1570-72, Robert Bell served as crown counsel, with the prosecution of Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk, and, perhaps, it was Bell's quality of being, outspoken, that revealed his niche, as shortly following this event, he was recommended by William Cecil for Speaker (Prolocutor), elected by the House, and approved by Queen Elizabeth I, 8 May 1572. 'The Queen on her part', he was told, had 'sufficiently heard of your truth and fidelity towards her and ... understandith you ability to accomplish the same.' (3)

Bell's second speach of that day "was a model of circumspection:, a lawyer's piece larded with legal precedent; in his careful transmission of royal messages and his preference that attempts to persuade a reluctant queen should be by written arguments rather than by his spoken word;" (9) 'some of it is worth quoting'...as an early example of the taste of precedents that became common place in the history of the House during the seventeenth century'(3)

While Speaker, he presided over some of the more dynamic issues of the Elizabethan Parliaments, notably, a session concerned with the question of Mary Queen of Scots; where he was advised to shorten the discussion upon receiving a royal message, that was wispered in his ear by Sir Christopher Hatton.(15) In 1575, Bell revisited the succession question, this time he humbly petitioned Elizabeth "to make the kingdom further happy in her marriage, so that they might hope for a continual succession of benefits in her posterity", but Elizabeth still refused. (13)

Honours

In 1577, during the new years promotions, Queen Elizabeth I (the realms fount of honour) coferred a knighthood, to Sir Robert Bell, made him her Serjeant-at-Law, and appointed him Lord Chief Baron of her Exchequer; a post that he retained during the period that Sir Francis Drake wrote the government, claiming his bounty to build his ships in Aldeburgh, together with the clandestine arrangements he secured from his investors, for his 1577, voyage to circumnavigate the globe.

At the end of the day, Sir Robert Bell's contemporaries respected his contributions, notably, the historian, William Camden who considered him a 'lawyer of great renowne,' and a "Sage and grave man, famous for his knowledge in the law."

Death

Unfortunately, Bell's success was short lived. While residing as judge at the Oxford assizes, (afterward deemed the Black Assizes), he was exposed to prisoners of foul condition during the trial of a book seller who slandered the Queen. This stench is thought to have caused a pestilent vapor and Bell (along with an est. 300 others) caught gaol fever. Bell spent his last hours drafting a codicil to his will, where he named his 'Loving wife Dorthie sole executor' and directed the selling of certain property for payment of debts, with an emphasis, on the future maintenance of his children. He soon afterward died 25 July, 1577 in Worcester.

Commemoration

Several months prior to his death, however, after receiving his honors, Bell was in the process of expanding his family home, and had commissioned The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers with the production of heraldic glass panels, representing the various marital alliances that were shared by the Beaupre's and the Bell's (the panels were originally displayed and incorporated around the entry way of Beaupre Hall, Norfolk). (12) (see: Holy Grail)

One may find that two panels of similar design, were commissioned after his death in 1577: 1. the arms of Sir Robert Bell 2. the arms of Sir Robert Bell impaling Harrington (the Harrington arms are depicted with the cadency mark 'a label'); probably, Sir John Harrington, first Baron Harington of Exton (1539/40–1613), first son of Sir James Harrington of Exton Hall, Rutland who m. Lucy, dau. of Sir William Sidney of Penshurst Kent. Sir William Sidney's son, Sir Henry Sidney lord deputy of Ireland, was a neighbor of John Peyton and Dorothy dau. of Sir John Tyndale.

The Peyton's second son, Sir John Peyton 'served in Ireland under their friend and neighbour Sir Henry Sidney of Penshurst, and in 1568 he was again in Ireland with Sidney, then lord deputy and had become a member of Sidney's household.' After Sir Robert Bell's untimely death, Sir John Peyton married Bell's widow Dorothy, where from his wifes property, Peyton gained position and status in the county of Norfolk. Sir John Peyton would later become lieutenant of the Tower of London.

As evidenced by the commemorative panels, the Harrington's, and the Bell's were, closely allied, and perhaps the key to this association may be found with Sir John Harrington's nephew, Sir Thomas Tresham d.1559, Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitaller) in England, who m. Anne Parr (the Aunt of Catherine Parr). (16)(6)

Parentage

The 'unknown' parentage, ancestry and origins of Sir Robert Bell, could be considered, perhaps, one of the more enigmatic issues concerning a public figure of his stature, that can be found during the last three centuries. Entry's covering this subject, include, but are not limited to, the following:

Circa 1850 James Alexander Manning's, "Speakers"

"The subject of this memoir is stated to have been born of a respectable Norfolk family, whose pedigree, however, according tho the Herald's visitations for that county, commencing only with himself, we are unable to give any account of his ancestry, although Mr. Bell was allied, by marriage, to some of the most ancient and illustrious families of England" (13) p. 242

1948, 27 November, Harold Wilberforce Bell, Notes and Queries

"It is curious that little or nothing is known of the parantage of Sir Robert Bell;"... " There is, perhaps, no other Speaker of the House of Commons of whom so little is known."

1981

The History of Parliament, House of Commons 1558-1603, Hasler.P.W., HMSO 1981.

"Bell's emergence from obscurity dates from a fortunate third marriage"...

2004

"Bell, Sir Robert (d. 1577), judge and speaker of the House of Commons, is of unknown parentage and origins, although he may have come from a Norfolk or Yorkshire family. (" Michael A. R. Graves, ‘Bell, Sir Robert (d. 1577)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004)

Descendants

"Sir Robert Bell's children married into the curia regis of the Tudors and other landed gentry," "...Amongst the many great families with whom the Bells were connected by their various marriages, we may mention.... Beaupre, John De Vere [15th] Earl of Oxford, Foderinghey, Darcy of Chiche, Bedingfield, Knyvett, Coggeshall (Sir William Coggeshall), Harske, Osbourne, Drury, Wiseman, Deering, Chester, Oxburgh, Dorewood, Oldfield, Peyton, Wynter (Sir William Winter), Walsingham (Sir Francis Walsingham) and Hobart [pronounced Hubbard], all persons of great eminence and distinction." (13)

1. His first son, Sir Edmond Bell (de Beaupre), b. 07 April 1562 d. 1606/7, MP for King's Lynn, & Aldeburgh 'invested heavily in privateering,' (within his will one may find a John Smith, named as an executor) ; He m. 1.Ann dau. of Peter Osbourne and Anne Hays 2. Merriell Knyvett dau. of Sir Thomas Knyvett, 4th Baron Berners (c. 1539-1618) and Merriell Parry, the dau. of Sir Thomas Parry and Anne Reade.

2. His second son Sir Robert Bell b. Abt. 1563 d. 1539,s.p., was a 'Captain of a Company in the Low countries' MP, built ships for the navy, and was a founding member, contributor and share holder of the (London Company) Virginia Company of London and the Honourable British East India Company (c. 1600).

3. His third son, Synulph Bell Esq. b. March 1564 d. 1628, of Thorpe Manor, Norfolk m. Jane (Anne) dau. of Christopher Calthrop m. Jane Rookwood (dau of Roger Rookwood)

4. Beaupre Bell b. Abt 1570 m. Oldfield.

5. Phillip Bell b. 14 June 1574 d. Aft. 1630, Captain, Governor of Bermuda, 1626-1629 (18)

6. Margaret Bell b. bef. 1561 d. 14 Sep., 1591 m. Sir Nicholas Le Strange of Norfolk; son of Sir Hamon Le Strange (c.1534-1580) and Elizabeth Hastings

8. Frances b. 02 Dec. 1577 d 09 Nov., 1657 m. Sir Anthony Dering of Kent; son of Sir Richard Dering and Margaret Tywsden.

7. His daughter, Dorothy, b. 19 Oct. 1572 d. 30 April 1640, married Sir Henry Hobart of Blickling Hall; Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who assisted with the first Plymouth Charter.

Several of "Sir Robert Bell's grandchildren became Adventurers and Cavaliers, who set sail for America and arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, before and after the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock."(6)

Heraldry

The Arms of Sir Robert Bell d. 1577: Sable a Fess Ermine between three Church Bells Argent Crest: On a Mount Vert a Phoenix Rising wings elevated and inverted Or armed Sable.........see: Holy Grail

Richard R L Bell

References

1. P.B.A, John Bell LL.D, d.1556 Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford, 1887. Sources: Godwin, De Præsulibus Angliæ, Camb. 1743; (William) Cavendish's Life of (Thomas) Wolsey, Singer's ed.; Chambers's Biog. Illustrations of Worcestershire; Thomas's Henry VIII, 1774; Burnet's Hist. of the Reformation; Strype's Eccl. Memorials and Life of Cranmer; Thomas's Survey of Worcester Cathedral; Calendar of State Papers, Henry VIII, vols. ii., iii., iv., v., vi., and vii.
2. Newgate, Appendix VIII.
3. Hasler, P.W.,The History of Parliament: House of Commons 1558-1603, HMSO 1981, p. 421-424. [www.http://www.history.ac.uk/hop/]
4. J. D. Alsop, ‘Chester, Sir William (c.1509-1595?)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 23 May 2005
5. House of Commons Journal Volume 1, 06 March 1559, pb. 1802, Sponsor BHOL: History of Parliament Trust
6. Bell,R.R.L., Bell~A~Peal, John Bell LL.D d. 1556, Bishop of Worcester, VOL 18, iss. 3, pb. 2004,& VOL 18 iss. 4 pb. 2005
7. Bryson, W., The equity side of the Exchequer; Its jurisdiction, administration, procedures, and records; York prize essay for 1973.
8. Bawlf, S., The Secret Voyage of Sir Francis Drake 1577-1580, p. 67
9. Wallace T. MacCaffrey, 'Cecil William, first Baron Burghley (1520/21–1598)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
10. J. G. Elzinga, ‘Osborne, Peter (1521-1592)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
11. Michael A. R. Graves, ‘Bell, Sir Robert (d. 1577)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
12. Hussey,C., Beaupre Hall Wisbech, Coventry Homes and Gardens Old & New, pb. Country Life, 1923
13. Manning, J.A., Speakers, pb. Myers and Comapny, London p.242,245
14. Bell, H.W., Notes and Queries, Vol. 193 (24), 1948, pp.515-6, OUP, [1] Wilberforce-Bell, ‘Sir Robert Bell: speaker of the House of Commons’
15. Wallace T. MacCaffrey, ‘Hatton, Sir Christopher (c.1540-1591)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
16. Helen M. E. Evans, ‘Peyton, Sir John (1544-1630)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
17. The National Archives, U.K., Catalog Reference Prob. 11/51, Image Reference 18, (C) Crown Copyright
18. The National Archives, U.K., Catalog Reference Prob. 11/38, Image Reference 144, (C) Crown Copyright
19. The National Archives, U.K., Catalog Reference Prob. 11/59, Image Reference 384 (C) Crown Copyright
20. The National Archives, U.K., Catalog Reference Prob. 11/111, Image Reference 585 (C) Crown Copyright
21. Coll Arm Ms, The Visitations of Norfolk, 1563. 1589, 1613, Bell. Beaupre., Harl 1552 [2]
22. Foss's Lives of the Judges
23. J. Bruce Williamson’s The History of the Temple of London, London, published by John Murray (2nd edition 1925).

==Likeness== (2), NPG, London. (1) Robert Bell Speaker 1572, possibly by the artist T .Athlow, (2) Sir Robert Bell, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer 1577, by William Camden Edwards, after unknown artist. [3]