Francis Gofton facts for kids

Sir Francis Gofton (died 1628) was an important English official. He worked for the King and Queen as a special accountant. His main job was to check all the royal money, how it was spent, and even the valuable jewels. He was often called "Auditor Gofton" because of his important role.

Sir Francis Gofton: The King's Accountant

Francis Gofton was like a super accountant for the King and Queen of England. He checked all their money and valuable items. From 1597, he became the Chief Auditor of the Imprest. This meant he was in charge of checking how money given out for royal projects was spent. He also checked the royal mint, where coins were made, starting in 1603.

Gofton owned land and houses in different places. These included the area now known as Heathrow, and properties in Stockwell and West Ham.

His Important Work

Francis Gofton started his career checking government spending. In 1597, he received special permission to check the accounts for all the Queen's building projects and royal works across England and Wales. He also checked the shipyards and the royal wardrobe, which held the Queen's clothes and treasures.

In 1603, Gofton went on an official trip to Ireland. He also enjoyed playing tennis with important people, like the Earl of Rutland. This social activity helped him in his career.

In December 1603, he met with Lord Buckhurst, who was the Lord Treasurer. They discussed plans for the soldiers stationed at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Years later, in 1612, a diplomat named George Nicholson sent Gofton updates on the Berwick accounts.

In 1604, Gofton checked the accounts of Richard Mellersh. Mellersh had worked for Lord Cobham, who was in trouble with the law. Gofton also delivered Lord Cobham's special "garter" and "George" jewels to Sir Edward Cary, who was in charge of the King's jewels.

Houses and a Porpoise

Francis Gofton had a house in West Ham, which was then on the edge of London. He had rights to fish there. On January 19, 1606, something unusual happened. A large porpoise was caught alive in a small creek near his West Ham house. It was about a mile and a half inland! Gofton received the porpoise and then gave it as a gift to the Earl of Salisbury. This event is even mentioned in a play by the famous writer Ben Jonson, called Volpone.

In 1609, Gofton sold some land and fishing rights in Ireland to Sir Henry Folliot. This land had belonged to an old abbey.

Gofton was knighted in February 1619. This honor was given to him and other officials who worked for the royal household and navy.

In December 1621, Gofton's house in Stockwell caught fire. All his belongings were lost. He had spent a lot of money on this house, which belonged to his wife. At this time, his London home was in a different area called St Giles without Cripplegate.

Checking Royal Jewels

In May 1603, Gofton was asked to help make a list of Queen Elizabeth's jewels. He worked with other important people like Edward Coke and Thomas Knyvett. They checked the jewels against an older list from 1600. This important list, with their notes, is now kept at the British Library.

Gofton also made a list of 25 jewels that King James had given to his wife, Anne of Denmark. These jewels came from the crown jewels stored in the Tower of London.

In 1611, Gofton made a list of the jewels belonging to Arbella Stuart. These jewels were taken from her ship. In 1614, he was paid for creating and updating a detailed book of all the royal jewels from 1603 onwards.

After Queen Anne of Denmark died in 1619, Gofton and Edward Coke made a list of all her possessions at Denmark House. They then moved these items to Greenwich Palace. Later, some of the Queen's servants were arrested for stealing jewels.

Silver Gifts for Diplomats

In 1604, King James VI gave two large silver water pots to the Spanish ambassador. These pots had been made for Henry VIII a long time ago. Drawings were made of these beautiful treasures. Later, in 1608, King James wanted new silver items made as gifts for other ambassadors.

Francis Gofton was in charge of this special project. The King and his Privy Council gave Gofton instructions. They wanted the new silver pieces to be very beautiful and impressive. Gofton was allowed to make some changes to the artistic design. He could make sure the new pieces looked their best, even if they were a little different from the old patterns. He was told not to "omit anything which, either in the curiousness of the workmanship or in the quantity of the pieces... might give any graceful ornament to them."

Jewels for a Royal Marriage

In 1623, King James wanted to send his son, Prince Charles, to Spain. Prince Charles was going there to try and arrange a marriage with a Spanish princess. King James asked his officials, including Gofton, to choose "fine jewels fit for a woman" and other jewels to be worn in hats. Some of these jewels were gifts for the Spanish royal family. Others were meant to be returned later.

In October 1625, Gofton wrote about King Charles's plan to sell some jewels. He believed that the best diamonds from the Tower of London had already been sent to the King and not returned. He thought the remaining jewels in the Tower were "very mean" (not very good). Gofton sent a list of jewels to the King's secretary. This list included jewels that had been returned from Spain. It also listed items from "the chest of late Queen Anne." This chest contained a gold bracelet, a jewel shaped like "Jesus" (the symbol "IHS"), small diamonds, an old cross with diamonds and rubies, a gold chain, and other valuable items.

Death

Francis Gofton passed away in 1628.

Family Life

Francis Gofton married Katherine Kinsman (died 1634). Katherine had been married before to John Pynder, who was a wine seller and a member of Parliament. In her will, Katherine asked to be buried near John Pynder.

Francis and Katherine had children, including:

• Francis Gofton (died 1642)
• John Gofton (1615-1686). His mother left him a house called Downhall in Lincolnshire. She also left him property in Stockwell, including farms and an old orchard. He also received some silver items that had belonged to the Earl of Rutland. John Gofton was buried in Lambeth.