Andrew Stratford

Andrew Stratford (died 1399), also known as Andrew de Stratford and Andrew de Strelford,^[1] was a medieval Bishop and landowner.

Early life

Andrew was born into the landed Stratford Family of Stratford-on-Avon in the first half of the fourteenth century (probably during the 1330s), a relation of Archbishop of Canterbury John de Stratford and his brother Robert Stratford (Bishop of Chichester), as well as the their nephew Ralph Stratford (Bishop of London) and Archdeacon Thomas de Stratford and Henry de Stratford. He was an associate of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England.^[2]

Career

Prior to 1362 he was a clerk with the holding of the church of Gosberton, Lincolnshire, but exchanged it with Phillip de weston for the prebendary of Langtoft, which he held from 1362-1363.^[3] Throughout his life he held numerous church offices (at clerk level), including Canon of York.^[4]

It is likely Stratford's comfortable career as a clerk in the church was aided by his influential ecclesiastical relatives (John, Robert and Ralph), and his friendship with the powerful William of Wykeham.^[5]

He was a significant landowner in Hampshire and Wiltshire ^[6] and was an active member of the communities, often loaning money to local businessmen^[7] and legally witnessing matters relating to land and property.^[8] It is likely that, as his Inquisitions Post Mortem record a wife (Christine), he stayed at the senior clerk level in the church (never progressing to full clergy), eventually leaving this service to marry and live from his estate.

Death

Stratford died "in the time of Richard II" (sometime before 1400, but not before 1399, when he gifted land on the Isle of Wight to a relative).^[9] He was survived by his wife, Christine.^[10][11]

Notes

References