Nicholas Carew (Lord Privy Seal)
Quick Facts
Biography
Nicholas Carew (died 1390) of Beddington in Surrey, was Keeper of the Privy Seal during the reign of King Edward III of England.
Origins
He was a younger son of Nicholas Carew (died 1311), feudal lord of Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire and lord of the manor of Moulsford in Berkshire, by his wife Amicia (or Amy) Peverell, daughter of Hugh Peverell lord of the manor of Ermington in Devon, and heiress of her brother Sir John Peverell of Ermington.
Career
Carew was a man of ability, holding the high office of Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1371 to 1377, and was one of the executors of King Edward's will.
Marriage and children
Sometime after 1352 he married Lucy de Willoughby, widow of Sir Thomas Huscarle (died by 1352), MP, of Purley Magna, Berkshire and daughter and heiress of Richard de Willoughby of Beddington by which marriage he inherited that manor, which he made his seat. By his wife he had children including:
- Nicholas Carew (c. 1356 – 1432), son and heir, five times knight of the shire for Surrey in 1394, 1395, Jan. 1397, Sept. 1397 and 1417, who married firstly a certain Isabella, daughter of Alice de la Mare of Delamers, Hertfordshire, and secondly Mercia Hayme, daughter of Stephen Hayme, MP. The Ledger stone of Nicholas Carew (died 1432) and his first wife Isabella survives in St Mary's Church, Beddington. Isabella's armorials are shown as Two lions passant.
Death and burial
He died in 1390, and was buried in the church of St. Mary's at Beddington.
Last will and testament
In 1387 he made his will, by which he directed his body to be buried in the church of St. Mary at Beddington, between the grave of his brother John, and the south door of the church. To the rector of the church, he leaves 40 shillings; to the parish priest, 20s.; towards the building of the church, £20; to the four orders of mendicant friars in London, four marks, to pray for his soul, and all Christian souls; to the prior and convent of Tanrige, 40s.; to the master, brethren, and sisters of St. Thomas's Hospital, Southwark, ten marks. He wills that there should be found four fit chaplains, one of whom for ever, and the other for five years, should pray for his soul, and all Christian souls in the church of Beddington. To Margaret Turbevyle, his daughter, he bequeaths one hundred marks; to his daughter Lucie, Prioress of Roosparre, 10 l.; to Joan Huscarl, a nun, 40 s. He wills, that thirteen torches and five wax tapers, each weighing six pounds at the most, be provided for his funeral; and that they be afterwards distributed at the discretion of his executors; that thirteen poor men be clothed at his funeral, and appointed to bear the torches. The residue of his fortune he bequeaths between his son Nicholas de Carru, and Nicholas de Mockyng. Dated at his manor of Beddington, Oct. 13, 1387. The will was proved at Croydon, Sept. 26, 1390.