Charles Lister (1534-1613), of New Lodge, Windsor, Berks.

• 2nd s. of Sir Michael Lister of Hurstbourne Priors, Hants by his 2nd w. Margery Horsman.

Brief Biography

Lister’s brother Richard married Mary, daughter of the 1st Earl of Southampton, and his half-sister Elizabeth married Sir Richard Blount, of Mapledurham. It was clearly through his relationship with the Blount family that Lister was returned to Parliament for Bere Alston. Little is known about his upbringing, education and career. His father had close connexions with Herefordshire and Hampshire and Charles may have gone to live at Windsor only when, at an unknown date, he became keeper of the little park. Lister was already over 60 when he entered into a contract of marriage with Mrs. Bridges, a widow of Lambeth Marsh. He first let her have £190 on the signing of the marriage contract, then sent her a purse of £50 in gold, followed by three more payments amounting to £40, and a pearl chain; he also redeemed one of her diamonds worth £60. Other loans and redemptions were followed by gifts of taffeta, lawn, linen, a silver basin and ewer, a jewel worth £120 to and a set of tapestries for her chamber. Lister further contributed another 2,000 marks for the redemption of more diamonds. In sum he parted with £1,150 and another £1,000 pledged, all upon her faithful promise of marriage which, he stated in his affidavit of 11 Dec. 1598, ‘if she denies, I will that all these things shall be recovered of her and be disposed of according to my will’. This will, dated 23 Oct. 1613, makes no mention of wife or family, so presumably the lady never married him. He does not, however, appear to have been ruined.

Sources

1. http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/lister-charles-1534-1613

Links

• http://www.multiwords.de/genealogy/lister03.htm