Sir Robert Bell (knight)

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

"Knighted 1577, Of Counsel King's Lynn 1560, Recorder from 1561, Bencher Middle Temple 1565, Autumn Reader 1565, Lent Reader 1571", ^HoP "Of Counsel Great Yarmouth from 11 February 1562-3",^DNB "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

Contents 1 Education and religion 2 Marriages 3 Career 4 Career summary 5 Honours 6 Death and commemoration 7 Parentage and descendants 8 Heraldry 9 References 10 External links 11 Likeness

[edit] Education and religion

Robert Bell of the Middle Temple, ²³ may have been privately tutored by Sir John Cheke, who was a close friend and kinsman of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Elizabeth's 'chief advisor'; and who has been appraised as "the probable 'behind the scenes architect of the '1566 succession question",⁹ (of which, Bell was chosen to represent the House of Commons), and who had recommended Bell for Speaker in 1572. ⁹

Moreover, Sir John Cheke was a friend, and kinsman, of a fellow Exchequer colleague of Robert Bell's, Peter Osbourne,¹⁰ whose daughter Anne, married Bell's first son and heir, Edmond. ³

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 16c.), ^{3, 11} which can be supported by his political alignments during the 1566 Parliamentary Session, in particular, "Mr. Bell's complices"... (Richard Kingsmill and Robert Monson)^{(3) HoP} with whom the Queen referred, during the succession question debate.

However, Bell's marriage to the co-heiress Dorthie Beaupre in 1559, unfolds the possibility that he may have also possessed conservative temperaments which may indicate that he attended Oxford University (Catholic leanings 16c.). 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 (1558)⁶ and Sir Henry Bedingfield of Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk, ¹⁷ who had been entrusted with the custody of Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth I) by Queen Mary I; and whose father, Sir Edmund Bedingfield, had been employed in the same capacity, with the care of Katherine of Aragon, following the proceedings of 1529, from the divorce from King Henry VIII.

Bell seems to have managed admittance to the Middle Temple, where he apparently excelled, being qualified to sit as a Bencher, and later, being elevated to the honour of both Lent and Autumn Reader. During the period that he attended the Middle Temple, the religious denomination of the pupils and Masters was primarily Catholic, with emerging factions of Protestants, balancing the Elizabethan membership. The register that would have recorded where he had been formerly educated or where he attended church, and who his parents were, and so on, has long been lost.

Of course, notwithstanding the above, Bell may have been one of a number of individuals that were significantly impacted, as a result of the Church Reformations carried out by Henry VIII and his successors Edward VI and Mary I. No doubt, the tempering of one's soul as a result of living through this period, may have provided the circumstances that helped in the moulding of Bell's character to a level necessary for one to acquire a taste for a latitudinarian posture with respect to the many religious issues, that at the present time, were, proving quite controversial, and, very dangerous.

This reformed outlook may have provided the catalyst that promoted Bell's ability to unite the House collectively, on a solid foundation. Furthermore, he seems to have been successful with resolving differences between fellow Members of Parliament during the various committees that he was active in; for instance (the Prayer Book and Church Attendance) ³

A taste of Robert Bell's sentiments, can be clearly derived, by examining his description of the infamous reign of Mary I, ("Mr Bell's second 'Oration' 8 May 1572"):

" The Queen's 'loving subjects' desired her preservation 'more than the chased deer desired the soil for his refreshing'; at the time of her accession the country was subject to ignorant hypocrisy and unsound doctrine', but God inclined her heart 'to be a defence to his afflicted church throughout all Europe.' ³

At any rate, 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)

[edit] Marriages

Robert Bell may have been married three times: (1.) ?Mary Chester daughter of Anthony Chester ^{3, 11, 4,} (2.) ?Elizabeth Anderson (d.1556-58?), ³ widowed daughter in law of Sir Edmund Anderson, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, ¹¹ and finally, in all likelihood, he married first,

? 1. Dorthie, daughter and coheiress of Edmonde Beaupre Esq., and Katherine Wynter daughter of Phillip Bedingfield ^18, of Ditchingham, Norfolk.

[edit] Career

Robert Bell seems to have achieved notable success at the beginning of his career, specifically (6 March 1559), upon accomplishing favorable results, for the patentees of the lands of John White, bishop of Winchester); of which he was of counsel, together with Alexander Nowell. ⁵

Bell's clients (some, members of the privy chamber of King Henry VIII and of his son Edward VI) ^ODNB shed light on the associations that he enjoyed, and speak highly of his abilities: Henry Clifford of Wiltshire, William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Sir William Fitzwilliam, Sir Philip Hoby, Sir John Mason, Sir Henry Seymour, Sir Henry Neville (c.1525 d.1595) who married 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 October 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. ³ As Member of Parliament for King's Lynn, during the 1563 and 1566 Parliaments, Bell made a 'thorough' nuisance of himself to the government, and was considered a radical; noted by William Cecil as one of the two leading trouble makers, during those sessions of Parliament. ^{3, 11}

Additionally, it would appear that on at least one occasion, Elizabeth I, witnessed this behavior, 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 April 1571) he 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 [represented] provided for equally [wealthy or poor]' and further, proposed that all boroughs who sought to nominate a nobleman, should suffer a fairly substantial financial penalty, "mindfull, no doubt of the power of the Duke of Norfolk in his county." ³

From 1570-72, Robert Bell served as crown counsel, ¹¹ with the prosecution of individuals in connexion with certain conspiracies, and, perhaps, it was Bell's outspokenness that revealed his niche, as shortly following this event, he was recommended by William Cecil for Speaker ⁹ (Prolocutor), elected by the House, and approved by 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 disabling speech 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 for precedents that became common place in the history of the House during the seventeenth century' ³

.."Mr. Bell's second Oration."

.."Your highness' noble progenitors kings of this realm",.."Whereupon King Henry III finding no such perfection therein as he did desire, by the mature deliberation and grave advice of his lords and council did condescend to walk in a new course of government in which he determined that all things should be provided for by Authority of Parliament..."

"He concluded his speech by requesting the *ordinary petitions consisting in three points,...

I. Liberty of speech

II. Access to the Queen

III. That if by my imperfection, I shall mistake and so misreport any message, either from the House to your Majesty or from your Majesty to them, that I may be received to repair anew for the declaration of the same" ³

While Speaker, Bell 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 whispered in his ear by Sir Christopher Hatton. ¹⁵

In 1575, Bell revisited the succession question, and, although, on this occasion, he 'humbly' and 'respectfully', petitioned Elizabeth "to make the kingdom further happy in her marriage, so that her people might hope for a continual succession of benefits in her posterity", Elizabeth still refused. ¹³

[edit] Career summary

During a time of uncertainty, Sir Robert Bell, valiantly challenged, corruption, and tyranny; advocated hope for the poor, and, bridged hearts and minds; while striving to tear down the walls and strongholds of arrogance, greed and hate.

Bell's support of Robert Snagge and his abhorrence of 'Tale Tellers' (gossipers), for example, have to be admired. ³ His managerial skill's were revolutionary, in that he was a guardian of liberty and champion of freedom of speech, while at the same time, he managed to appease the Queen and Privy Council; "without compromising too many of his principals." ³ He also made a 'thorough' effort, in demonstrating a timeless leadership style, that resonated with the integrity of common virtues, and, a patient resolve. He certainly, conveyed the importance of properly weighing and balancing each detail in order to accurately derive the truth, and further, thought if the truth was found worthy of merit, then it should be supported by the necessary foundation of Heart, mind, and conscious.

Despite the somewhat candid display of behavior, that seems to have defined the majority of his youth, at the end of the day, however, "Bell comes over, as a Renaissance man, who earnestly contributed a signal service, by bearing the necessary burdens as a patron for the Brittani,¹ and by diligently laboring to embrace, his duty, as a steward of the public trust."

"He clearly was, an ambassador of faiths who, faithfully believed in, and, honoured, the, truth, the Way, and the Light; as he drew his strength from the center of the core, and wielded, certain, eternal loyalties, that have, endured, and that have gracefully transcended the dawn and brilliance of the Golden Age."

[edit] Honours

In 1577, during the New Year's promotions, Queen Elizabeth I, expressed her gratitude to Sir Robert Bell for his signal service and conferred a knighthood to him, made him her Serjeant-at-Law, and appointed him Lord Chief Baron of her Exchequer;³ 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. ^{1, 8}

Sir Robert Bell's contemporaries respected his contributions, notably, James Dyer, Edmund Plowden and the historian, William Camden who considered him a 'lawyer of great renowne,' a "Sage and grave man, and famous for his knowledge in the law." ^{3, 11}

Modern scholars, such as P.W. Hasler have observed that Bell was a "poacher turned gamekeeper" ³ when he changed the manner that he conducted himself; by repenting from his old way's, thereby affording himself an opportunity to sow the seeds of inner growth, that he later reaped, in His service, for the glory of the common good.

[edit] Death and commemoration

Unfortunately, Bell's success was short lived. While presiding 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 estimated 300 others) caught gaol fever. ¹¹ (Camden, Annals, bk. 2.376)

Bell on 27 July 1577, 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 eight children: (most were very young)

..."and the money thereof cominge to be ymployed towardes the payment of my Debtes and bringinge upp of my children at the order and discreation of my saide Executrix " ¹⁹

His will was [Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury at London 4 September 1577 by Peter Johnson notary public, proxy for Dorothy, relict and executrix.] ¹⁹

Several months before his death, however, after receiving his honours, Bell was in the process of expanding his family home, and had commissioned The Guild of Glaziers? 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, and were later cut down and relocated to windows in the rear of the Hall, perhaps after 1730 when the antiquary Beaupre Bell succeded to the property.

After his death in 1741, Mr Greaves succeded, who had married Beaupre Bell's sister (of whom we owe for saving the glass relics). Beaupre Hall would later change hands once more and was held by Mr Edward Fordham Newling, who after his death (anticipating the Hall's ruin), wished that the gorgeous stained glass panels would be placed in the care and possession of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, where they are currenty on display. ¹²

Further information: 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 Harington (the Harington Arms are depicted with the cadency mark 'a label') ^21,; probably, Sir John Harington, first Baron Harington of Exton (1539/40–1613) who married Anne (c.1554–1620), the daughter and heir of Robert Keilwey of the Middle Temple. Sir John's father Sir James Harington of Exton Hall, Rutland married Lucy, daughter of Sir William Sidney of Penshurst Kent.

note: Sir 'John' Harington's cousin, the writer of the same name (Sir John Harrington), curiously, after the loss of his cousin's dear friend Sir Robert Bell and the many other victims, who suffered as a consequence of the contamination, that was noted at the Black Assize, there after became a motivated innovator, who invented a very important, everyday personal sanitary device. +++ [1]

Sir William Sidney's son, Sir Henry Sidney lord deputy of Ireland, was a neighbor of John Peyton and Dorothy daughter of Sir John Tyndale. The Peytons' 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.' ¹⁶

After Sir Robert Bell's untimely death in 1577, Sir John Peyton married Bell's widow Dorothy, where from her estate, 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 [2], the Haringtons, and the Bells were, closely allied, and, perhaps, the key to this association may be found in connection with Sir James Harrington of Hornby, and that of his daughter Isabel, who married John Tresham, the father Sir Thomas Tresham d.1559, Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitaller), headquartered in Clerkenwell, England, who married Anne Parr (the Aunt of Catherine Parr). ¹

[edit] Parentage and descendants

The unknown parentage, ancestry and origins of Sir Robert Bell, could be considered one of the most enigmatic issues concerning a public figure of his stature, that can be found during the last three centuries. ¹ Entry's covering this subject, include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. 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 to 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}

2. 1948, 27 November, Harold Wilberforce Bell, Notes and Queries

"It is curious that little or nothing is known of the parentage of Sir Robert Bell;"... " There is, perhaps, no other Speaker of the House of Commons of whom so little is known." ¹⁴

3. 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"...³

4. 2004 (" Michael A. R. Graves, ‘Bell, Sir Robert (d. 1577) ’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004) ¹¹

"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."

"During the rising sun of the English colonization of America, Sir Robert Bell's children married into the curia regis of the Tudors and other landed gentry,¹ " "...Amongst the many great families with whom the Bells were connected by their various marriages, we may mention.... Beaupre, [Montfort], John De Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford, [Foderinghey], [Hastings], Bedingfield, Knyvett, [Fortescue], Oldfield, [Coggeshall], [Fitzwilliam], [Calthrop], [Harske], [Meeres], Osbourne, [Drury], Wiseman, Deering, Chester, Oxburgh, Le Strange, Dorewood, Oldfield, Peyton, [ Wynter ], [ Walsingham ] and Hobart, all persons of great eminence and distinction." ^{13 p.245}

1. His first son, Sir Edmond Bell (de Beaupre), b. 7 April 1562 d. 1606/7, MP for King's Lynn, & Aldeburgh 'invested heavily in privateering' ³ (within his will one may find a John Smith & Sir Ralph Hare, named as executors). ²⁰ He married 1. Anne the daughter of Peter Osbourne³ and Anne Hays 2. ?Elizabeth 3. Merriell Knyvett the daughter of Sir Thomas Knyvett, 4th Baron Berners (c. 1539-1618) and Merriell Parry, the daughter of Sir Thomas Parry and Anne Reade.

2. His second son Sir Robert Bell b. c. 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, Synulpholus Bell Esq. b. March 1564 d. 1628, of Thorpe Manor, Norfolk, married Jane (Anne) daughter of Christopher Calthrop and Jane Rookwood (daughter of Roger Rookwood)

4. His fourth son, Beaupre Bell b. c. 1570 m. Oldfield.

5. Phillip Bell b. 14 June 1574 d. after 1630, Captain, Governor of Bermuda 1626-1629 & Barbados ¹⁸

6. Margaret Bell b. bef. 1561 d. 14 Sep., 1591 married Sir Nicholas Le Strange of Norfolk; the son of Sir Hamon Le Strange (c.1534-1580) and Elizabeth Hastings; daughter of Sir Hugh Hastings of Elsing, 14th Lord Hastings (d. c.1540) and Catherine Le Strange (d. 2 February 1558)

8. Frances b. 2 December 1577 d. 09 Nov., 1657 married Sir Anthony Dering of Kent; son of Sir Richard Dering and Margaret Tywsden. [3]

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 drafting of 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." ¹

[edit] Heraldry

The Arms of Sir Robert Bell: Sable a Humetty Ermine between three Church Bells Argent Crest: On a Mount Vert a Phoenix Rising wings elevated and inverted Or armed Sable

In His Service,

III. "There is no darkness but ignorance." William Shakespeare

II. "Fortune favors the bold." Virgil

I. Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.

[edit] References

1. Bell, R.R.L., Tudor Bell's Sound Out (A ancestry study of the illustrious Brittani privately pb. Ano Do 2006
2. Bell, J.E. & F.J., Sir Robert Bell and His Early Virginia Colony Descendants including A compilation of 16th, 17th, & 18th Century families with the surname of Bell, Beale, le Bel..., pb. 2007
3. Hasler, P.W.,The History of Parliament: House of Commons 1558-1603, HMSO 1981, p. 421-424. [4]
4. J. D. Alsop, ‘Chester, Sir William (c.1509-1595?)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 23 May 2005 .[5]
5. House of Commons Journal Volume 1, 06 March 1559, pb. 1802, Sponsor BHOL: History of Parliament Trust
6. J.H. Baker, ‘Cordell, Sir William (1522-1581)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 11 May 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 Company, London p.242,245
14. Bell, H.W., Notes and Queries, Vol. 193 (24), 1948, pp.515-6, OUP, [6] 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. O'Donoghue, M.P.D., Transcription Report, The National Archives, UK, Catalog Reference Prob. 11/51, Image Reference 18, (C) Crown Copyright
18. O'Donoghue, M.P.D., Report, Arms and Pedigrees of Bell [Sir Robert Bell], 15 August 2005,‘Coll Arm Ms,' The Visitations of Norfolk, 1563, 1589, 1613, Bell. Beaupre., Harl 1552.
19. O'Donoghue, M.P.D., Transcription Report, The National Archives, UK, Catalog Reference Prob. 11/59, Image Reference 364 (C) Crown Copyright
20. The National Archives, UK, Catalog Reference Prob. 11/111, Image Reference 565 (C) Crown Copyright
21. Gwynn-Jones,P., The Art of Heraldry, Parkgate Books, London: 1998 [7]
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).

[edit] External links

• Aesthetics [8]

• Religious Art [9]

• The Chronicles of Narnia [10]

[edit] 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. [11]

Parliament of England
Preceded by: Sir Christopher Wray	Speaker of the House of Commons 1572–1576	Succeeded by: Sir John Popham
Legal Offices
Preceded by: Sir Edward Saunders	Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer 1577	Succeeded by: Sir John Jeffery