Andrew Stratford facts for kids
Andrew Stratford (died November 30, 1378) was an important English landowner in the Middle Ages. He was also a verderer, which meant he helped manage royal forests. Andrew was part of the famous House of Stratford family.
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Andrew Stratford's Family Life
Andrew Stratford was born in the early 1300s. He came from the powerful House of Stratford family. He was related to very important people like John de Stratford, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and his brother Robert Stratford, who was a Bishop.
Andrew was also friends with William of Wykeham. William was a very influential person. He was a Bishop and even the Chancellor of England, a top government job.
Andrew married a woman named Christine. They had a son named Robert. Robert later had two children, John and Joan. Sadly, Robert died young, before 1392. After Robert's death, Joan became a nun at Romsey Abbey in 1400. Andrew's grandson, John, became a ward of the king. This meant the king looked after him until he was old enough to inherit his grandfather's lands. Andrew's family line continued for many years. You can still find his descendants in parts of Hampshire today.
Andrew Stratford's Career
Church Clerk Role
Before 1362, Andrew worked as a rector in a church in Lincolnshire. He later exchanged this job for another church position. Throughout his life, he held many church offices. These were at a "lay clerk" level, meaning he worked for the church but was not a priest. He was even a Canon of York. Andrew never became a member of the clergy, like a priest or bishop. His connections helped him a lot. His powerful relatives, like John de Stratford and Robert Stratford, and his friend William of Wykeham, likely helped him have a good career in the church.
Verderer and Landowner
Later in his life, Andrew became a very important landowner. He owned a lot of land in Hampshire and Wiltshire. He was also an active member of his local communities. He often loaned money to local business people. He also helped with legal matters about land and property.
Andrew and his wife owned land called 'Haresmede'. This land was in the northern part of South Baddesley. It was located in the New Forest. He also worked as a verderer in the forest of "Claryndon" in Wiltshire. He continued this job until he died.
He owned more land in Vernhams Dean in Hampshire. He also had land in places like Chute, Whelpley, Cowesfield, Alderstone, and Winterbourne in Wiltshire. All these lands were passed down to his son Robert. When his grandson John grew up, he inherited them.
Andrew Stratford's Death
Andrew Stratford died on November 30, 1378. His wife, Christine, passed away later, on July 31, 1396. Their son Robert died around the late 1380s. After Robert's death, Andrew's grandson John became a ward of the king. His granddaughter Joan went to Romsey Abbey, where she became a nun in 1399.
Images for kids
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This coat of arms is linked to Andrew Stratford. It shows a red shield with a gold bar and three gold trestles.
