Biography of Francis Bigod 1507-1537

Paternal Family Tree: Bigod

Maternal Family Tree: Alice Sanford Countess of Oxford

1513 Battle of Flodden

1537 Bigod's Rebellion

Francis Bigod and Katherine Conyers were married. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 04 Oct 1507 Francis Bigod was born to John Bigod (age 32) and Jane Strangeways (age 28) at Seaton Manor Hinderwell.

Battle of Flodden

On 09 Sep 1513 at the Battle of Flodden was fought at the Branxton, Northumberland [Map]. the English army was commanded by Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 70), Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 40), Edmund Howard (age 35), Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 45), Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle (age 51) and Marmaduke Constable (age 56).

The English army included: Henry "Shepherd Lord" Clifford 10th Baron Clifford (age 59), William Conyers 1st Baron Conyers (age 44), Thomas Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley (age 41) and Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape (age 45).

Randall Babington, [his father] John Bigod (age 38) and Thomas Fitzwilliam (age 39) were killed.

Marmaduke Constable (age 33), William Constable (age 38), George Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Aston (age 16), Edmund Walsingham (age 33), Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh (age 25) and Walter Stonor (age 36) were knighted by Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 40).

Christopher Savage, Thomas Venables (age 44) and Brian Tunstall (age 33) were killed.

Bryan Stapleton of Wighill (age 55) was killed. (Some reports have him dying in 1518).

John Booth (age 78) was killed.

Father and son Ralph ellerker of risby in yorkshire and Ralph Ellerker were knighted by Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey (age 70).

The Scottish army suffered heavy casualties:

King James IV of Scotland (age 40) was killed. His body ws taken to London, then to Sheen Priory, Richmond; thereafter it dissappeared. His son King James V of Scotland (age 1) succeeded V King Scotland.

Alexander Stewart ArchBishop of St Andrews (age 20) was killed.

David Kennedy 1st Earl Cassilis (age 43) was killed. His son Gilbert Kennedy 2nd Earl Cassilis (age 18) succeeded 2nd Earl Cassilis. Isabel Campbell Countess Cassilis by marriage Countess Cassilis.

William Sinclair 2nd Earl Caithness (age 54) was killed. His son John Sinclair 3rd Earl Caithness succeeded 3rd Earl Caithness.

Matthew Stewart 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son John Stewart 3rd Earl Lennox (age 23) succeeded 3rd Earl Lennox.

William Hay 4th Earl Erroll was killed. His son William Hay 5th Earl Erroll (age 18) succeeded 5th Earl Erroll.

John Douglas 2nd Earl Morton was killed. His son James Douglas 3rd Earl Morton succeeded 3rd Earl Morton, 6th Lord Dalkeith.

Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell was killed. His son Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell (age 1) succeeded 3rd Earl Bothwell.

Alexander Stewart 4th of Garlies (age 32) was killed. His son Alexander Stewart 5th of Garlies (age 6) succeeded 5th Lord Garlies.

Alexander Elphinstone 1st Lord Elphinstone was killed. His son Alexander Elphinstone 2nd Lord Elphinstone (age 3) succeeded 2nd Lord Elphinstone.

Thomas Hay, George Hepburn Bishop Isles (age 59), Adam Hepburn Master (age 56), Thomas "Younger of Cushnie" Lumsden

William Douglas 6th Lord Drumlanrig was killed. William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig succeeded 7th Lord Drumlanrig.

George Seton 5th Lord Seton was killed. His son George Seton 6th Lord Seton succeeded 6th Lord Seton.

John Hay 2nd Lord Hay of Yester was killed. His son John Hay 3rd Lord Hay (age 23) succeeded 3rd Lord Hay of Yester. Elizabeth Douglas Lady Hay by marriage Lord Hay of Yester.

Robert Keith Master of Marischal (age 30), Guiscard Harbottle (age 28), John Erskine, David Home (age 22), Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale (age 43), Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll (age 64), Robert Douglas of Lochleven (age 89) were killed.

Henry Sinclair 3rd Lord Sinclair (age 48) was killed. His son William Sinclair 4th Lord Sinclair succeeded 4th Lord Sinclair.

James Stewart 1st Lord of Traquair (age 33) was killed. His son William Stewart 2nd Lord Traquair (age 7) succeeded 2nd Lord Traquair.

John Maxwell 4th Lord Maxwell (age 57) was killed. His son Robert Maxwell 5th Lord Maxwell (age 20) succeeded 5th Lord Maxwell.

William Murray (age 43), Colin Oliphant (age 26), William Ruthven (age 33), George Douglas (age 44) and William Douglas (age 42) were killed.

George Home 4th Lord Home and John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl (age 38) fought.

Brothers David Lyon of Cossins, William Lyon and George Lyon were killed.

William Graham 1st Earl Montrose (age 49) was killed. His son William Graham 2nd Earl Montrose (age 21) succeeded 2nd Earl Montrose.

Robert Erskine 4th Lord Erskine 16th Earl Mar was killed. His son John Erskine 17th Earl Mar (age 26) de jure 17th Earl Mar, Lord Erskine.

Thomas Stewart 2nd Lord Innermeath (age 52) was killed. His son Richard Stewart 3rd Lord Innermeath succeeded 3rd Lord Innermeath.

Walter Lindsay of Arden and Walter Lindsay (age 33) were killed.

William Keith of Inverugie (age 43) was killed.

David Wemyss of Wemyss (age 40) was killed.

John Somerville 1st of Cambusnethan (age 55) was killed.

Robert Crichton 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar (age 41) was killed. His son Robert Crichton 3rd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar (age 22) succeeded 3rd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar

Father and son William Rollo (age 59) and Robert Rollo 5th of Duncrub (age 34) were killed.

On 07 Apr 1515 [his mother] Jane Strangeways (age 36) died at Whorlton North Yorkshire.

Bigod's Rebellion

In Jan 1537 Bigod's Rebellion was an armed rebellion by Catholics in Cumberland and Westmoreland against Henry VIII (age 45). It was led by Francis Bigod (age 29).

On 17 Jan 1537 Thomas Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Templehurst (age 70) wrote to Robert Aske (age 37) and Robert Constable (age 59) ... Of Sir Fras Bigod (age 29) I heard, this day at dinner, as you wrote; and more, that Hallum was taken at Hull yesterday with a letter in his purse from Sir Francis Bigod (age 29) promising that he and all the West Base Countries would rise and come forward. This day with my servant, Alan Gefreyson, I sent you my news which are of such bruits, rages, and furies as the like I have not read nor heard of. I sent to my cousin Ellerker and Whartton for the premises concerning Hull. My advice is that you stay the people till the coming of my lord of Norfolk (age 64), which, I hear, shall be shortly, and all the gentlemen that is above of the North with him. He brings gracious answers of the Parliament and petitions. Good Mr. Aske, where you write desiring me to stay my quarters; there has yet been no stir in my rooms and lands, but what was caused by other wild countries and dales. I shall do my duty, and play my part therein, though I lie in my bed. I hear my lord of Cumberland is likely to have business for two prisoners he keeps.

On 18 Jan 1537 Francis Bigod (age 29) ... "Though the commons at first had me in suspicion for my learning and conversation with such a lewd one as they judged were enemies both to Christ's Church and the commonwealth, and I was even in danger of my life at Pountefrett [Map], they have now the greatest confidence in me. Now messengers come from Bishopric, Richmondshire, and the West, for me to go forward with the commons, especially to bring John Halom, whom the mayor of Hull has imprisoned, to their great offence. I have sworn to go with the commons having good reason to doubt the Duke of Norfolk is coming rather to bring them to captivity like those of Lincolnshire than to fulfil our petitions. There is no man they trust so much as Constable whom Bygott would gladly join and follow his advice, if he will be true to them." He begs an answer and sends a copy of their oath.

Hall's Chronicle 1537. Feb 1537. Also in the said month, Nichol Musgrave, Thomas Tilbie, with other began a new rebellion at Kirbie Stephen [Map] in Westmoreland with eight thousand persons, and besieged the city of Carlisle [Map], from whence they were beaten, with the only power of the city, and in their returning the Duke of Norfolk (age 64), who then was made Lieutenant of the North encountered with them, and took the captains, and according to the law martial, arraigned threescore and fourteen of them, and hanged them on Carlisle walls, but Musgrave escaped. And in the same month of February began yet another insurreccion, by the enticement of Sir Frances Bigod (age 29), a man no doubt that loved God, and feared his Prince, with a right obedient and loving fear but now being deceived and provoked thereunto by false rebellious persons, it was his fortune to taste of the end which appertains to rebels such are men when God leaves them to themselves, and when they will enterprise the doing of that thing which God’s most holy word utterly forbids. This Bigod was apprehended and brought to the Tower of London. This last rebellion began in Setrington, and in Pikerin Leigh, and Scarborough.

Hall's Chronicle 1537. 02 Jun 1537 In June the lord Darcy (age 70) and the lord Hosey [Map] were arraigned at Westminster before the Marques of Exceter (age 41), then High Steward of England, and they were both found guilty and had their judgement as in cases of high treason.

After 02 Jun 1537. Shortly after were also arraigned Sir Robert Constable (age 59), Sir Thomas Percy (age 33), Sir Fraunces Bygod (age 29), Sir Stephin Hamelton, Sir Jhon Bulmer and his wife (deceased), which some reported was not his wife but his paramour, also William Lumley, Nicholas Tempest (age 57), and the Abbots of Jerney (age 35) and Rivers, and Robert Aske (age 37), and all found guilty of high treason, and all put to death at Tiborne [Map], saving Sir Robert Constable (age 59), which was hanged in chains on Beverley gate at Hull and Aske (age 37) was also hanged in chains in Yorke on a Tower, and Sir John Bulmer’s Paramour (deceased), was burned in Smithfclde [Map] in London. And in the latter end of June, was the Lord Darcy (age 70) beheaded at Tower Hill [Map], and shortly after was the Lord Hosey (age 70) beheaded at Lyncolne [Map].

On 02 Jun 1537 Thomas Percy (age 33), Francis Bigod (age 29), and John Bulmer and Ralph Bulmer were hanged at Tyburn [Map].

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 02 Jun 1537. Also the 2nd day of June was drawn from the Tower of London to Tyborne Sir Thomas Percy (age 33), sir Frances Bigod (age 29), George Lumley heir to the Lord Lumley (age 45), William Wood prior of Bridlington, Adam Sedbar (age 35) abbott of Jervaulx [Map], and they were hanged, headed, and quartered, save sir Thomas Percy (age 33) for he was but headed and was buried at the Cross Friars [Map], and the quarters of all the residee was buried at the Gray Friars in the cloister on the North side in the pamet [pavement?].

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 13 Mar 1537. Also the 13th day of March sir Francis Bigod (age 29) was brought out of the North to the tower through Smithfield [Map] and in at Newgate [Map], riding so through Cheapside [Map] and so to the Tower [Map], and Sir Ralph Elderker leading him by the hand with that he was bound withal.

[his father] John Bigod and [his mother] Jane Strangeways were married. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Francis Bigod 1507-1537 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1364-1425

Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

Royal Ancestors of Francis Bigod 1507-1537

Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 9 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 11 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 7 Grand Son of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Francis Bigod 1507-1537

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bigod

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bigod

Great x 4 Grandmother: Amy Settrington

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Bigod Lord Morley 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Piers Mauley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Constance Mauley Lady Morley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Sutton Baroness Ferrers Harewood Baroness Haversham

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Bigod 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Clifford Baroness Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Greystoke 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ferrers 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Ralph Bigod 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Scrope 3rd Baron Scrope of Bolton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Tiptoft Baroness Scrope Bolton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Scrope 4th Baron Scrope of Bolton 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Neville Baroness Scrope Bolton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Scrope 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Scrope 4th Baron Scrope Masham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Welles Baroness Scrope Masham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Scrope Baroness Scrope Bolton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Chaworth 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Chaworth Baroness Scrope Masham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Father: John Bigod 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Constable

Great x 3 Grandfather: Marmaduke Constable

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Skipwith

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Constable

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Cumberworth

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catharine Cumberworth

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Constable

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gascoigne VII

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Gascoigne

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Frank

Great x 2 Grandmother: Agnes Gascoigne

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pickering

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Pickering

GrandMother: Margery Constable 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wentworth

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Wentworth

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Tyas

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Wentworth

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Dronsfield

Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Despencer 1st Baron Despencer 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Despencer 2nd Baron Despencer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Unknown Baroness Despencer

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margery Despencer 3rd Baroness Despencer, Baroness Ros 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Tiptoft 3rd Baron Tibetot 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tiptoft Baroness Despencer 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Deincourt Baroness Tibetot 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Francis Bigod 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert "Henry" Strangeways

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Strangeways

Great x 2 Grandfather: James Strangeways

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Strangeways

GrandFather: James Strangeways 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Neville 1st Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Neville 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Fauconberg 5th Baron Fauconberg

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Pateshull Baroness Fauconberg

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Fauconberg Countess Kent

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Brounflete Baroness Fauconberg

Mother: Jane Strangeways 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope Masham

Great x 3 Grandfather: Stephen Scrope 2nd Baron Scrope Masham

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Unknown

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Scrope 4th Baron Scrope Masham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Welles 4th Baron Welles

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Welles Baroness Scrope Masham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Ros Baroness Welles 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Scrope 5th Baron Scrope Masham 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Chaworth

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Chaworth 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Clifford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Chaworth Baroness Scrope Masham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandMother: Alice Scrope 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Clifford Baroness Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 5th Baron Greystoke 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ferrers 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Greystoke Baroness Scrope Masham 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Fitzhugh 3rd Baron Fitzhugh

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fitzhugh 4th Baron Fitzhugh 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Fitzhugh 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzhugh Baroness Greystoke 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Willoughby 5th Baron Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Willoughby Baroness Fitzhugh 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Strange Baroness Willoughby Eresby 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England