Sir Edward Mansell, MP

Family and Education b. 1530/31, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Sir Rhys Mansell of Margam by 3rd w. and bro. of Anthony. educ. L. Inn, adm. Feb. 1551. m. Jane, da. of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester, 10s. inc. Sir Robert† and Sir Thomas† 3da. suc. fa. 10 Apr. 1559. Kntd. 1572.1

Offices Held

J.p.q. Glam. 1558/59-d.; chancellor and chamberlain, S. Wales, steward of various lordships 1559-d.; commr. piracy, Glam. 1565, armour 1569, musters 1570, 1578, victuals 1574, tanneries 1574, subsidy 1581; sheriff 1575-6.2

Biography Edward Mansell was born some three or four years after his father’s marriage to a servant of Princess Mary. He was specially admitted to Lincoln’s Inn in February 1551, three years after his father had entered that inn, and was perhaps still a student there when he was elected for Glamorgan to the second Marian Parliament: six months earlier his younger brother Anthony had taken the seat, and he could scarcely have hoped to do so himself if his father had not been sheriff. Nothing is known of his role in the House but he doubtless had some interest in the passage of the Act (1 Mary St.3, c.11) touching the sea sands in Glamorganshire. This initial step in Mansell’s advancement as his father’s successor was followed by his inclusion in the new grant of the chamberlainship of South Wales made in October 1554 to father and son in survivorship. On the eve of his father’s death in April 1559 he was included in the first Elizabethan commission of the peace, as a member of the quorum, and about the same time he sued out a pardon as of Oxwich and Margam, the old and new seats of the family. He had by then married a daughter of the Earl of Worcester, whose father Sir Rhys Mansell had served in peace and war a generation earlier.3

Mansell was hard put to it to maintain his position against the rival interest of Herbert. In 1557 his father had clashed with (Sir) George Herbert over the spoils of a wrecked cargo swept ashore on a stretch of the Gower peninsula, during which Herbert sneered at Mansell’s youth and inexperience. Conflicting jurisdictions lay behind the episode and were to sour relations between the two families. The piracy and smuggling pursued alike by the Mansells and Herberts further exacerbated the matter. When Mansell died in his mid 50s on 15 Aug. 1585, elegies were written by Dafydd Benwyn and Llewelyn Sion.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558 Author: P. S. Edwards Notes 1. Date of birth estimated from age at fa.’s i.p.m., C142/123/80, G. T. Clark, Limbus Patrum Morganiae, 495. 2. CPR, 1554-5, p. 61; R. Flenley, Cal. Reg. Council, Marches of Wales, 60, 69, 109, 126, 142; APC, vii. 285; E179/221/264; Morgannwg, ix. 24. 3. CPR, 1554-5, p. 61; 1558-60, p. 150. 4. St.Ch.2/20/160, 24/365; 4/1/26; 5/P51/39, M12/23; G. Williams, ‘The affray at Oxwich castle, 1557’, Gower, ii. 6-11; HMC Welsh, ii(1), 51, 323, 377; G. J. Williams, Traddodiad Llenyddol Morgannwg, 74; Cal. Penrice and Margam Mss, iv(1), 7-8; APC, ix. 127, 232 331; CSP Dom. 1581-90, pp. 158, 160-1, 164; C142/209/35.

Sometime in 1559, Sir Edward Mansel inherited Oxwich Castle, Gower and started its re- modelling.

Oxwich was built partly by Sir Rice Mansel and was "lately re-edified or repaired" by his son, Sir Edward. The work perhaps extended over a period of about sixty years, between 1520 and 1580

The magnificent Tudor mansion created by Sir Rice Mansel and his son Edward stands on a headland above the wide sweep of Oxwich Bay. The house is known as Oxwich Castle, and there indeed appears to have been an earlier true stronghold on the site. Philip Mansel is recorded as holding the site in 1459. However, the remains we see today are best regarded as those of a mock-fortified manor house, with clear evidence of sumptuous accommodation, and raised during the peaceful and prosperous years of the 16th century.

As completed, Oxwich was arranged around an enclosed courtyard with some military pretension. It was entered through a showy gateway, and, typical of the period, was emblazoned with the arms of Sir Rice Mansel. Within, there are two adjacent ranges of buildings which appear to have been designed independently, each capable of functioning as a household in its own right.

By 1632, Oxwich had been leased as a residence. The Mansels' principal seat had become Margam, where the house built by Sir Rice had been further developed. Gradually, the east range at Oxwich fell into disrepair, though the south range continued in use as a farmhouse. In 1949, Oxwich was rescued from demolition by Lady Apsley and placed into State care. After a long program of conservation and reconstruction, it is now maintained by Cadw:

The Mansels were one of a number of minor gentry families in south Wales who gained in power, prestige and property under the Tudor monarchs. The growth of this powerful gentry class, whose lifestyle resembled that of earlier feudal magnates is reflected in the appearance of similar manor houses throughout south Wales.

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• 'History of Maunsell or Mansel, and of Crayford, Gabbett, Knoyle, Persse, Toler, Waller, Castletown; Waller, Prior Park; Warren, White, Winthrop, and Mansell of Guernsey (1903)
• http://www.archive.org/details/historyofmaunsel00maun
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• JENKIN MANSELL.on the accession of Henry VII., in 1485, obtained a repeal of the attainder against his father and a restoration in blood and estates. At a tournament given by his cousin. Sir Rice ap Thomas, Knt., Constable and Lieutenant of Brecknock, 21st Henry VII., to celebrate the order of the Garter having been conferred on him, amongst others from Glamorgan came Jenkin Mansell, surnamed "Dewr," or "the Valiant." In this tournament he bore for motto, " Perit sine adversario virtus." — See Cambrian Register, Vol. I., page 25. In 1486 he married Edith, dau. and heir of Sir Geo. Kyme or Kene, Knt., of Well Hall, Eltham, Co. Kent, and granddaughter of Sir Wm. Kyme (who was sheriff of Kent 25 Hen. VI.). by Agnes, widow of John Tettershall, and dau. of John Chichele, Chamberlain of London, by Margery, dau. of Sir Thos. Knolles, Lord Mayor of London. Agnes was grand-neice of Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury, who founded All Souls College, Oxford, and all "akin" to him became entitled to a presentation to a fellowship to that college. He had issue, viz. :
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  • RHYS MANSELL, Sir, Knt., the eldest son, born 25th January, 1487, received the honour of knighthood between the 17th and 27th Hen. VIII. In the latter year he was sent to Ireland at the head of a body of troops to assist the Lord Deputy in suppressing a rebellion of the Earl of Kildare. Next year he had grant for life of the site of the monastery of Margam, Co. Glamorgan, a grant for life of the office of Chamberlain of the County Palatine of Chester, and the Royalty of Avon Waters to him and to his heirs. After the dissolution of the abbeys, he got a lease of Margam, and in 1540 he purchased the whole of that property, the conveyance bearing the autograph of the King. In 1544, being concerned in an expedition against Scotland, the isles of Arran and Bute, and the castle of Rothsay, were delivered to him, and he took formal possession thereof in the name of the King of England. He died in 1559,(I) at Clerkenwell, London,where he had a mansion, and was succeeded as Chamberlain of Chester by Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby. Me married, first, on 17th May, 1511, Eleanor, dau. and sole heir of James Bassett, of Beaupre, but by her left no issue. The marriage bond
  • (I) Sir Rhys Mansell, in his will proved 1559, mentions his sons, 'Edward' and Anthony, 'Dame Jane, wife of said Edward' ; and Dame Mary Dorell, now married to Henry Ffoscue, late wife of said Philip, deceased ; sister Fleming, daughters Mary, Katherine Bessett, and Elizabeth Morgan, niece Mary, daughter of brother Philip ; nieces Elizabeth Howe, Elizabeth Hopkins, Margaret, wife of Rd. J. D. Morgan; Elynor, wife of Randolph Purcell ; and Katherine, wife of Rd. ap Owen. Nephews Harry, George, Thomas, Leonard, Edward, and William Maunsell, and nephews Arnyld Bassett and Wm. Fleming. Also late sister Anne Maunsell, widow, executrix of late brother Philip.
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  • was dated 17th May, 1511, and the witnesses to it were John ap Thomas Gwillim, Richard Howell, Richard Maunsell, John Haron, Richard Thomas, Jenkin Russell, Hugh ap Hopkin, Thomas ap David ap Howell, Nicholas ap Rice. He married secondly, in 1520, Anne, dau. of Sir Giles Bruges, Knt., of Coberly, Co. Gloucester, and by her had three sons, who all died in his lifetime, and two daughters, viz. :
    • I. Catherine, married William Bassett, junior, of Beaupre, by which the Bassett estates reverted to that family.
    • II. Elizabeth, married William Morgan.
  • He married thirdly, on 19th June, 1527, Cecily, dau. of John Daubridgecourt, and had :
    • ' III. Edward, of whom presently.
    • IV. Philip, married Mary Dorrell, d. s. p. She married, secondly, H. ffoscue.
    • V. Anthony, married Elizabeth, dau. of John Bassett, and had issue, viz. : .....
    • VI. Mary, married Sir Thos. Southwell, Knt., of Woodrising ; and their son and heir. Sir Robert Southwell, married Elizabeth, dau. of Charles Howard, Lord High Admiral of England, and had issue.
    • ' EDWARD MANSELL, Sir, Knt., received honor of knighthood in 1572, and, upon the death of the Earl of Derby, was appointed Chamberlain of Chester, distinguishing himself in many services during reign of Queen Elizabeth. He married Lady Jane Somerset, youngest dau. of Henry Earl of Worcester, and had issue, viz. :
      • I. Thomas, of whom afterwards.
      • II. Anthony, married Mary, dau. and co-heir of Henry Morgan, of Muddlescomb, d. s. p.
      • III. Francis. See Mansell, Bart., of Muddlescombe, page 29.
      • IV. Philip, married Catherine, dau. of William Mathew, of Radyr, and widow of Rowland Lewis, and had : ....
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      • V. Charles had command of a troop in Ireland under Tyrone, and was killed in action 1598.
      • VI. Robert, Sir, Knt., of Norfolk, entered the royal navy under the immediate patronage of his relative, the Lord High Admiral Lord Howard of Effingham, Earl of Nottingham. He was captain of the "Mer Honour," and was knighted by the Earl of Essex for conspicuous bravery at the battle of Cadiz, when the Spanish fleet was destroyed in that harbour by the intrepid attack of the English, A.D. 1596. He was most successful in defence of the English coast, and was in high favour with Queen Elizabeth. King James, in 1604, appointed him Treasurer of the Navy for life, and in 1618 Vice Admiral of England. In November, 1599, he fought a duel with Sir John Hayden, both being described as Knights of Norfolk. In course of a long and desperate struggle Sir John's left hand was cut off It is still preserved in the museum at Canterbury. In early life Sir Robert spelt his name Mansfeeld, but later reverted to Mansell. See his letters to his wife's nephew, Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy ; see also account in "Gentleman s Magazine," 1853, vol. 39; and also Campbell's "Lives of British Admirals." He married, first, Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Nicholas Bacon ; and secondly, Ann, maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth, and dau. of Sir John Roper, Knt., but had no issue by either wife.
      • VII. Rees, capt. of a troop under Tyrone, killed in action in Ireland.
      • VIII. Harry, d. s. p.
      • IX. Christopher, married Anne. dau. of Sir Robert Worsley, and had issue five daughters, viz., Jane, Hope, Dorothy, Catherine, and Elizabeth.
      • X. William, d. s. p.
      • XI. Elizabeth, married her cousin, Sir Walter Rice, Knt., of Newton, and was ancestor of Lord Dynevor. See "Burke's Peerage."
      • XII. Cecil, married Sir Rowland Williams, of Llangibby Castle, High Sheriff of Monmouthshre, and had, with other issue. Sir Charles, his successor, and Jane, married Sir Nichs. Kemeys, Bart. Sir Charles's son, Sir Trevor Williams, was created a Baronet in 1642. (See Appendix No. 74.)
      • XIII. Mary, married Christopher Turbeville, of Penline.
      • XIV. Anne, married Edward Carne, of Nash.
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Sir Edward Mansel

• M, #118897, b. 1531, d. 5 August 1595 Last Edited=4 May 2011
• Sir Edward Mansel was born in 1531.2 He was the son of Sir Rice Mansel and Cecily Danbridgecourt.3 He married Lady Jane Somerset, daughter of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne.4 He died on 5 August 1595.3 He was buried at Margram Church, Glamorgan, Wales.2
• He was also known as Sir Edward Maunsell.2 He was also known as Sir Edward Mansell.4 He lived at Margram Abbey, Glamorgan, Wales.2 He lived at Penrice Castle, Glamorgan, Wales.2 He held the office of Chamberlain of the County Palatine of Chester.3 He was invested as a Knight in 1572.3 He had three other sons who died young.2

Children of Sir Edward Mansel and Lady Jane Somerset

1. Elizabeth Mansel+3
   
2. Sir Thomas Mansel, 1st Bt.+3 d. 20 Dec 1631
   
3. Sir Francis Mansel, 1st Bt.+3 d. c 1628
   
4. Ceciel Mansel+3
   
5. Rees Maunsell5 d. 1596
   
6. Anthony Maunsell5
   
7. Charles Mansfield5
   
8. Philip Maunsell+5
   
9. Christopher Maunsell+5
   
10. Edward Maunsell5
    
11. Henry Maunsell5
    
12. William Maunsell5
    
13. Mary Maunsell5
    
14. Anne Maunsell5
    
15. Sir Robert Mansel3 b. 1573, d. b 20 Jun 1656
    

References

• The Thomas book, giving the genealogies of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, K. G., the Thomas family descended from him, and of some allied families Author Thomas, Lawrence B. (Lawrence Buckley), 1848-1914. “Rice, of Dynevor.” Page 471 - 472. Archive.Org