Levin Bufkin facts for kids

Levin Bufkin (born around 1533 – died 1617) was an English landowner. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Maidstone. This meant he was chosen by the people of Maidstone to represent them in the English Parliament.

Who Was Levin Bufkin?

Levin Bufkin was the second son of Ralph Bufkin, but he was the oldest son who survived to adulthood. His father, Ralph, was once the mayor of Dover. In 1550, Ralph bought a large estate called Gore Court in a place called Otham. Levin's grandfather, also named Levin Bufkin, had moved to England from a region called Flanders. Levin Bufkin studied law and joined Gray's Inn in 1555, which was a place where people trained to become lawyers.

Levin Bufkin's Work

Levin Bufkin spent most of his time buying and managing land, especially around Maidstone. Sometimes he worked with the Archbishop of Canterbury on these land deals.

In 1576, he received a special "grant of arms." This means he was given his own unique family shield, which looked like a gold background with a chevron (a V-shape) and three closed helmets.

In 1593, Levin Bufkin and Sir Thomas Fludd were both chosen to be MPs for Maidstone. They both joined a special group in Parliament called the Committee on Kerseys, which likely dealt with a type of wool cloth. In 1595, he was one of the important local people chosen to help manage a large gift of money given to help the poor people of Maidstone. After 1597, he didn't run for MP again and seemed to step back from public life.

Levin Bufkin's Family Life

Levin Bufkin was married three times. Around 1561, he married Mary Roper. She was the sister of John Roper, who later became Baron Teynham. After Mary passed away, he married Anne Mayne. His third wife was Sybil Cranmer, who outlived him.

Levin had several children:

• With Mary:
  • Elizabeth, who married Sir Ralph Weldon. They had a son named Levin.
  • Two daughters, Mary and Jane, who sadly died when they were young.
• With Anne:
  • Catherine, who married Thomas Fludd (Sir Thomas Fludd's son) in 1600. They had three children, including a son named Levin.
  • Barbara, who never married and was buried in Otham in 1625.
  • Henry, who married Sarah Fludd (Thomas Fludd's sister) on the same day Catherine married Thomas. Henry and Sarah had five children, including a son named Levin. Henry passed away before his father in 1612. Sarah later married James Bromfield.
  • Ralph (died 1638), who married Anne Berners in 1621. They had five children, including a son named Levin.

It seems the name Levin was very popular in his family!

His Later Years and Legacy

Levin Bufkin wrote his will on October 4, 1616. He asked for a simple burial. He left a small gift to the poor people of his church. He also made sure his wife Sybil and his unmarried daughter Barbara were taken care of. Most of his land and belongings went to his eldest son Henry's children and to his surviving son, Ralph, who was in charge of carrying out his will.

Levin Bufkin passed away on November 24, 1617, and was buried the next day in the church at Otham. There is a special monument there to remember him.