Edmund Colles facts for kids
Edmund Colles (born 1528, died 1606) was an important English landowner and public servant from Worcestershire. He held many official jobs during the time of Queen Elizabeth I, even though he had some sympathy for the Catholic faith.
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Who Was Edmund Colles?
Edmund Colles was the oldest son of William Colles and Margaret Hitch. He studied law in London at a place called the Inner Temple starting in 1553. His family had owned land in Worcestershire for many generations. They originally came from the village of Suckley. His father also rented land, a church, and farms in the village of Leigh. This land used to belong to Pershore Abbey before the Dissolution of the Monasteries (when monasteries were closed down).
His Land and Property
In 1558, Edmund inherited his father's land. He then started to buy more property. In 1564, he bought a place called Colles Place, which he said had belonged to his ancestors.
In 1583, he arranged for his oldest son, William, to take over the manor of Leigh when William married Mary Palmer. By 1585, Edmund had bought some of the farm lands in Leigh and rented the rest from the Crown (the government). In 1590, he bought the entire manor and church rights of Leigh. In 1605, he added the rest of the farm lands and the manor of Castle Leigh to his property.
Edmund's Public Service
Edmund Colles served in many public roles, starting in his home county.
Serving Worcestershire
In 1564, he became an escheator for Worcestershire. This job involved managing land that returned to the Crown. In 1585, the sheriff sent him to collect money from Catholic recusants. These were people who refused to attend official church services. The money helped support English soldiers fighting in the Netherlands against Spain.
By this time, he was also a justice of the peace for the county. This meant he helped keep law and order. He served as sheriff twice, in 1574 and 1590. Later, he became a deputy lieutenant, which was another important county role.
Working for the Region
Edmund also worked on a regional level. In 1587, the Privy Council (the Queen's advisors) chose him as one of three people to settle disagreements between Sylvanus Scory and the Bishop of Hereford. In 1602, he became a member of the Council of Wales and the Marches. This council helped govern Wales and the border areas of England.
Serving in Parliament
Finally, Edmund Colles served at a national level. At the age of 69, he was elected to the Parliament of 1597. He was one of two members representing the county. The sheriff at that time, Edmund Harewell, was his neighbor and his daughter Susan's husband.
In Parliament, Edmund likely attended committees that discussed important issues of the day. These included:
- Enclosures: Changes to how land was used, often turning common land into private farms.
- Poor relief: Ways to help people who were poor.
- Penal laws against Catholics: Laws that punished Catholics who did not follow the official Church of England.
- Monopolies: Special rights given to certain people or companies to be the only ones selling a product.
- Taxation: How the government collected money.
His Family Life
Edmund Colles was married twice.
First Marriage
His first wife was Jane Somerville. She was the widow of Henry Blount and the daughter of Robert Somerville. With Jane, he had children, including:
- William Colles, his oldest son and heir. William married Mary Palmer.
- Jane Colles.
Second Marriage
His second wife was Alice Townshend (died 1607). She was the widow of Humphrey Archer and the daughter of Sir Robert Townshend. After Edmund died, Alice returned to Ludlow. With Alice, he had children, including:
- Edward Colles
- Richard Colles
- Thomas Colles
- Susan Colles
Death and What Happened Next
Edmund Colles wrote his will on October 12, 1606, and added a change to it on December 14, 1606. He died on December 19, 1606, in Leigh. He was buried in St Edburga's church, where his monument was later placed. His son William officially proved the will on May 12, 1607.
However, the lands Edmund had inherited and bought were burdened with many debts. Because of this, William had to give all the lands to special managers. After William died in 1615, these managers sold the lands to Sir Walter Devereux in 1617. William's son, also named Edmund, had already been declared a recusant (someone who didn't follow the official church) in 1609.
