[Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE's tomb inside St Mary's Church, Spene. Photographed in 2010.]
An important and influential figure entered the life of Elizabeth TUDOR in late 1544. She was aged 11; he 29. He was her Master of the Italian Tongue, and her Tutor in the Italic Script; and he had one or two other tricks up his Italianate sleeve.
WYATT has noted that:
"Elizabeth had learned to speak and write Italian at an early age, and her fluency in a number of languages was considered remarkable by those who witnessed her linguistic skills in action. Her polyglotism is all the more extraordinary given that she never set foot on the European continent. Her preference for Italian and the prominence she accorded Italian culture can to a high degree be ascribed to the close presence in her life of Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE...
"[He] was among the the few who would have shared the young Elizabeth's life on such intimate terms (certainly no other foreigner did) and it is a sign of her dedication to him that the culture he opened to her would come to play such a significant role in the era over which she presided."
[Michael WYATT, "The Italian Encounter with Tudor England: A Cultural Politics of Translation," Cambridge University Press, 2005, page 125.]
And PETRINA has also noted "Elizabeth's inclination for language learning, and her proficiency in Italian."
She further noted that:
"The teachings established by her earlier tutors... had occasion to burgeon under the guidance of her Italian teachers. Of these, the most famous is doubtlessly Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE, who had fought in Henry VIII's Army in France in 1544, and soon acquired a position at Court..."
"Whether or not CASTIGLIONE was Elizabeth's only teacher of Italian, he contributed significantly to her love for Italian language and culture, not only as a teacher, but also as part of a network of Italian intellectuals living and working in London..."
"Both CASTIGLIONE and Katherine ASHLEY were briefly imprisoned in 1555 and 1556, upon suspicion of circulating seditious pamphlets against the monarch (Mary) and, implicitly, in support of Elizabeth. As Elizabeth was then the constant object of suspicion, she might have felt a special closeness with her governess and her teacher of Italian, who ran risks in her support..."
However, after noting other Italians who were in contact with Elizabeth in later years, including one of her physicians, PETRINA cautioned that:
"It would therefore be limiting to suppose Elizabeth's proficiency in Italian to be simply the result of the influence of one man, however talented."
[Alessandra PETRINA, "Elizabeth Learning and Using Italian" - a chapter in "Elizabeth I's Foreign Correspondence: Letters, Rhetoric and Politics," edited by Carlo BAJETTA, Guillaume COATALEN and Jonathan GIBSON, published by Palgrave and MacMillan, 2014, at page 107-9.]
And PETRINA has also noted "Elizabeth's inclination for language learning, and her proficiency in Italian."
She further noted that:
"The teachings established by her earlier tutors... had occasion to burgeon under the guidance of her Italian teachers. Of these, the most famous is doubtlessly Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE, who had fought in Henry VIII's Army in France in 1544, and soon acquired a position at Court..."
"Whether or not CASTIGLIONE was Elizabeth's only teacher of Italian, he contributed significantly to her love for Italian language and culture, not only as a teacher, but also as part of a network of Italian intellectuals living and working in London..."
"Both CASTIGLIONE and Katherine ASHLEY were briefly imprisoned in 1555 and 1556, upon suspicion of circulating seditious pamphlets against the monarch (Mary) and, implicitly, in support of Elizabeth. As Elizabeth was then the constant object of suspicion, she might have felt a special closeness with her governess and her teacher of Italian, who ran risks in her support..."
However, after noting other Italians who were in contact with Elizabeth in later years, including one of her physicians, PETRINA cautioned that:
"It would therefore be limiting to suppose Elizabeth's proficiency in Italian to be simply the result of the influence of one man, however talented."
[Alessandra PETRINA, "Elizabeth Learning and Using Italian" - a chapter in "Elizabeth I's Foreign Correspondence: Letters, Rhetoric and Politics," edited by Carlo BAJETTA, Guillaume COATALEN and Jonathan GIBSON, published by Palgrave and MacMillan, 2014, at page 107-9.]
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GIOVANNI'S EARLY LIFE.
Born into a semi-aristocratic Mantuan family, albeit in Gassino-Torinese, Piemonte, about 1515-16, Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE was the son of Piero CASTIGLIONE, a Captain in the Army of Maximillian, Holy Roman Emperor. His mother has yet to be identified, and it is possible that he was illegitimate.
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There is a family tree on Ancestry.com which suggests that Piero CASTIGLIONE died in 1548, and that his wife, identified there as Elisabetta CASATI, died in 1558. But I can find no source citation for these additional details - however, as they also suggest that Piero was born in 1500, which would make his age at Giovanni's birth as about 15 or 16, I think they are more than just bit astray. Indeed, the pedigree records all the dates for these events as 1 January, which makes me even more suspicious of them.
Another has Piero 's birth in 1490, which is a step in the right direction - but, he is recorded as the son of Count Baldassar CASTIGLIONE, whose sons or grandsons, in correspondences during the early 1600s with sons of Giovanni, did not recognise or acknowledge that speculated lineage.
However, this other family tree does record that Elizabetta CASATI, born in 1500 (just possible for Giovanni's mother), a daughter of Bartolomeo CASATI (1465-1504) and his wife Caterina MALASPINA (1464-1519).
Both of these groups of family histories record that Elisabetta died in Benham, Speen, Berkshire, in 1558. This is a fiction, as Giovanni did not acquire residential rights to Benham Valence, in Berkshire, until 1565.
At least this last does include the family name of MALASPINA, which is "corroborated" in early pedigree references for the the original English settler!
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Giovanni was educated in the courtly skills that were part of his family heritage - his father may have been a cousin of the noted Baldassare CASTIGLIONE (1478-1529), who was in 1506 an ambassador to the Court of Henry VII to receive for his master (the Duke of Urbino) an Order of the Garter, and the author of "Il Libro del Courtigiano" (Venice, 1528).
However, correspondence between Giovanni's sons and the descendants of Baldassare in Italy in the early 17th century failed to establish their exact family relationship, and family pedigrees nowhere provide a connection for Giovanni back to the Casatico branch of the CASTIGLIONE family. The reason for this is unclear, but could be partly explained if he had been born out of wedlock.
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Curiously, another intriguing and much more extra-ordinary potential explanation has "emerged."
I had believed (and still do) that the paternity of Giovanni was evident from old family documents, including his letter-book, kept up by his son Francis, and now in the Bienecke Rare Book and MS Library at Yale University - that paternity, enshrined in English Armorial pedigrees, was Pietro CASTIGLIONE, of Gassino-Torinese, in the Piemonte, a Captain in the Army of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor.
However, art historian Peter Lawrence BAKER, of Canada, suggests that his father was not named CASTIGLIONE, and may instead have been a Moorish artist from Firenze - and that his mother may have been "... a woman of enormous wealth and power" by whom Giovanni, although probably illegitimate, was nevertheless "... of very noble birth."
It appears that some evidence may exist to suggest that this woman could have been Margaret (1480-1530), daughter of Maximilian, the Holy Roman Emperor, by his wife Mary of Burgundy (and so a sister of Philip the Handsome of Castile), and the widow firstly of John, Prince of Asturias (married in 1497), then secondly of Philibert II, Duke of Savoy (married in 1501); by which marriages she was also known as the Archduchess of Austria, the Dowager Duchess of Savoy; and was the ruler of the Hapsburg Netherlands (1507-1515 and 1519 till death).
However, art historian Peter Lawrence BAKER, of Canada, suggests that his father was not named CASTIGLIONE, and may instead have been a Moorish artist from Firenze - and that his mother may have been "... a woman of enormous wealth and power" by whom Giovanni, although probably illegitimate, was nevertheless "... of very noble birth."
It appears that some evidence may exist to suggest that this woman could have been Margaret (1480-1530), daughter of Maximilian, the Holy Roman Emperor, by his wife Mary of Burgundy (and so a sister of Philip the Handsome of Castile), and the widow firstly of John, Prince of Asturias (married in 1497), then secondly of Philibert II, Duke of Savoy (married in 1501); by which marriages she was also known as the Archduchess of Austria, the Dowager Duchess of Savoy; and was the ruler of the Hapsburg Netherlands (1507-1515 and 1519 till death).
BAKER also indicates that he has found some evidence of Giovanni's birth in September 1515 (in a flurry of paintings by his supposed artist father in that month), and that he may have been taken as a baby firstly to Koln, and then to Issenheim for most of 1516, before going with his father to Padua in early 1517. It appears from Baker's account that Giovanni's grandfather may have met Baldassare CASTIGLIONE while working in Rome for Julius II; and BAKER suggests that the young Giovanni's noble identity was protected by adopting the CASTIGLIONE surname as an alias, perhaps with Baldassare's blessing.
Interestingly, Baldassare CASTIGLIONE did dedicate his book, "Il Libro del Courtigiano," to Margaret of Austria.
But I do not hold with BAKER's hypothesis.
At the very least, if there had been a hint scandal involving Margaret of Austria and an "unplanned" pregnancy, and if CASTIGLIONE had shown even the slightest indications of a Moorish descent, this would surely have been the subject of gossip and hearsay, and mentioned in Ambassador's letters, during both of their lifetimes. Evidence of which has never surfaced.
On the other hand, if there is any hint that Baldassar CASTIGLIONE may have sired an illegitimate son...?
Interestingly, Baldassare CASTIGLIONE did dedicate his book, "Il Libro del Courtigiano," to Margaret of Austria.
But I do not hold with BAKER's hypothesis.
At the very least, if there had been a hint scandal involving Margaret of Austria and an "unplanned" pregnancy, and if CASTIGLIONE had shown even the slightest indications of a Moorish descent, this would surely have been the subject of gossip and hearsay, and mentioned in Ambassador's letters, during both of their lifetimes. Evidence of which has never surfaced.
On the other hand, if there is any hint that Baldassar CASTIGLIONE may have sired an illegitimate son...?
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Giovanni evidently joined the Army, in the service of another Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. He was probably in the Regiment of another relation, Ferrante GONZAGA, Capitaine-Generale to Charles V, at the Siege of Landrècies, France, in September 1543, or that of Alexander GONZAGA (named below). The siege was a stratagem to flush out the French King, François I (Valois Dynasty), by making him try to break the siege, and so engage him in battle.
There they collaborated with an English Army sent by Henry VIII under the command of Sir Henry WALLOP and Thomas SEYMOUR (who later, as the Lord Admiral, sought to insinuate himself into Elizabeth TUDOR's graces, but had to settle instead with her step-mother, Henry's widow, Katherine PARR).
WALLOP and SEYMOUR both made written observations about their European counterparts; WALLOP, in a letter from Landrècies to the Council, wrote:
"... And out of Italy the Duke of Mantua's bastard, Alex. GONZAGA, offered to serve with 4,000 Italian footmen, and 300 mounted harquebuziers, upon two months warning. Has made a book of these names. 'As for the Italians, it is evil meddling with them, having had good experience this year to be either too wise or too false'."
[Calendar of State Papers, 35 Henry VIII, 1543, folio 385, page 210.]
I would be very surprised if CASTIGLIONE's name was not in WALLOP's book, and perhaps, despite WALLOP's mistrust of Italians, near the top of the list.
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GIOVANNI GOES TO ENGLAND.
In the following year, 1544, Henry VIII personally attended his troops outside Boulogne, then under English siege.
CASTIGLIONE also presented himself at Boulogne after wintering in Calais, centre of the then English Pale in France.
Recommended by those about the King, Giovanni was given letters of introduction to the Council in London, where he was attached to the court of Henry's younger daughter Elizabeth, the BOLEYN daughter. The nod of approval, it appears, may have come from the King himself. The date was about October 1544.
Recommended by those about the King, Giovanni was given letters of introduction to the Council in London, where he was attached to the court of Henry's younger daughter Elizabeth, the BOLEYN daughter. The nod of approval, it appears, may have come from the King himself. The date was about October 1544.
Some of this detail is gleaned from an informed, but perhaps somewhat "biased" family source - Giovanni's eldest son and heir, Sir Francis CASTILLION, wrote a memorial, dated 24 September 1631, which he intended to inscribe on his father's sepulchre in Spene Church, near Newbury, in Berkshire (see full version further below):
"In this monument resteth Baptist CASTILION, Esq're, who was in the Warres at Landerse; then served Henry VIII at Bullen, captayne of foot. Being there recommended by some about the King, was sent over with letters, unto the Private Counsil in England; to preferre him unto the Lady Elizabeth's Grace, daughter unto King Henry the 8th; chiefly to read the Italian, being then 13 years of age..."
[Francis CASTILLION, his Letterbook, Osborne Shelves, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.]
Given that Elizabeth, who had actually only just turned 11, was then only third in line of succession, and that she had a brother who might reasonably be expected, despite early signs of a "weakling" disposition, to produce heirs of his own, the posting cannot have filled Giovanni with any great prospects for advancement. On my presumption that it was a move he probably sought and volunteered for, it suggests he may have been quite keen to escape Europe, and perhaps more particularly the Catholic country of his birth. Some historians have indeed assumed that he was a Protestant.
But events were to transpire in such a way that saw Giovanni become a close court insider, and eventually an established member of the English propertied class; and by the time of his death, in 1598, he had become one of the oldest and longest serving of all of Queen Elizabeth's personal attendants.
Information concerning Giovanni's movements before his marriage in 1558 is hard to come by. It is likely that he will not have strayed too far from the side of his mistress, Elizabeth. One of the cards up his sleeve was his military experience, and if, as seems likely (and mooted by some historians as a fact), he was also charged with Elizabeth's personal safety as one of her inner circle of personal body-guards, then that proximity will have been almost absolute.
And if so, his movements will be hers, and hers are well documented.
These can be summarised within three divisions of time - the remainder of her father Henry's reign, which ended in January 1547; the reign of her younger and Protestant half-brother Edward, which ended in July 1553; and the reign of their elder and Catholic half-sister Mary, which ended in November 1558, some months after Giovanni's marriage.
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GIOVANNI, UNDER HENRY VIII.
Before Giovanni's arrival from Boulogne in 1544, Elizabeth had offended her father, yet again, and was banished from his presence; but in the following year, she was placed under the direct charge of her step-mother, Queen Catherine PARR, who turned the King around, allowing Elizabeth to be brought back to Court.
Over the next two years, as was the habit of the Royal Courts, for one reason amongst others, to keep one breath of fresh air ahead of the mouldering latrines, Elizabeth was moved from Palace to Palace.
HIBBERT noted that Elizabeth's own household:
"... moved at irregular intervals from Windsor to Enfield, from Richmond to Greenwich, Hatfield to Eltham, Hunsdon to Rickmansworth, Ashridge to Havering..."
[Christopher HIBBERT. "The Virgin Queen - The Personal History of Elizabeth I." Viking Press, 1990, page 27.]
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GIOVANNI, UNDER EDWARD VI.
Edward was fetched from Ashford to be with Elizabeth at Enfield where she was residing, when they were there given the news of their father's death. She continued in the care of her step-mother, in the Queen Dowager's house in Chelsea.
Thereafter, at Hanworth, Elizabeth suffered the previously mentioned advances of the Lord Admiral, Thomas SEYMOUR. She left this household in May 1548, citing a disagreement with her step-mother, but it seems that Catherine, by now six months pregnant to SEYMOUR, to whom she had been secretly married, had caught Elizabeth in SEYMOUR's embrace, and was probably protecting both her and her step-daughter's interests. Elizabeth was sent to Cheshunt under the watchful eye of Sir Anthony DENNY.
And in January 1549, SEYMOUR was arrested, and imprisoned, along with three of Elizabeth's personal staff, including Kath ASHLEY and Thomas PARRY. I do not yet know whether CASTIGLIONE was the third (see below), but it is a possibility. ASHLEY acknowledged "familiarities" between SEYMOUR and Elizabeth. SEYMOUR, convicted on a charge of Treason, was executed.
By September 1549, Elizabeth was still at Hatford, when PARRY informed CECIL that Elizabeth:
"... will not yet remove to Ashridge."
"... will not yet remove to Ashridge."
And on 17 March 1550, Elizabeth visited her brother in London:
"... with a large retinue. Her entourage on outings often numbered nearly 200. She was most honourably received by the Council in January 1551."
[Christopher HIBBERT, "Virgin Queen," page 35.]
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GIOVANNI, UNDER MARY AND PHILIP.
On the death of Edward, the Dukes of Suffolk and Northumberland attempted to forestall the accession of the Catholic Mary by proclaiming as Queen the Lady Jane GREY, their respective daughter and daughter-in-law. Their strategy to bring Elizabeth and Mary together in London, where they might be more easily "managed," had failed, presumably as the result of secret messengers dispatched by CECIL. Elizabeth locked herself in her apartments at Hatfield; Mary decamped to the fortified stronghold of Framlingham Castle, where thousands of her supporters gathered. The conspiracy collapsed, and eight days after Edward's death, Mary was proclaimed Queen.
Elizabeth, at her favourite residence at Hatfield, went up to London after the defeat of Northumberland's coup, and after spending several nights at Somerset House, then Wanstead House, near Aldgate, made the ceremonious entry into London with her sister on 3 August 1553. She also played a part in the Coronation ceremonies on 1 October.
But thereafter, and at her own request - after being, by Mary's decree, upstaged in rank by the Duchess of Suffolk and the Countess of Lennox - Elizabeth removed to Ashridge.
After the failure of yet another attempt on Mary's throne in January-February 1554, known as the WYATT rebellion, the Council was advised that Elizabeth was implicated, with the French King's Ambassador NOAILLES, concerning opposition to the impending marriage of Mary to Philip of Spain - the "Spanish Marriage" widely but privately feared and condemned in England. WYATT himself was probably behind the message sent to Elizabeth at Ashridge, urging her to move to Donnington and fortify it. Sensing the need for caution, she refused to see the messenger and had him sent away.
Before WYATT was defeated, Elizabeth was summonsed to London. Once again, sensing that great caution was needed, and fearing for her safety in London, she pleaded illness; whereupon her great-uncle Lord William HOWARD and two of the Queen's doctors were sent to Ashridge to investigate; she was brought to London in slow stages, taking 5 days to reach Highgate, and entered London streets on 23 February. After being confined in Whitehall Palace for 3 weeks, and denied access to Mary, she was forced to make her indignant entry through Traitor's Gate into the Tower of London on 17 March. CASTIGLIONE may have been one of the two male servants allowed to accompany her there, along with 6 of her ladies, although it seems more likely he remained outside, and was then arrested on suspicion of carrying Elizabeth's letters from within (see below).
On 19 May 1554, Elizabeth was released into the care of Sir Henry BEDINGFIELD, at Woodstock, near Oxford; the route there was by boat to Richmond, then by horse and litter through Windsor, West Wycombe and Rycote. There she complained bitterly about the quality of her lodgings, in the gate-house, but was allowed to re-assemble her household, despite careful screening at which she further complained. And there she remained until April 1555.
In the meantime, Mary had married Philip in July 1554; and she had begun burning Protestants in February 1555 - the number eventually totalled nearly 300, including bishops, clerics, artisans and agricultural labourers, and amongst which number some 60 were women - these burnings revulsed the general population, with the result that Catholicism itself became hated in England.
Elizabeth was then returned to Hampton Court, still under close confinement (and in the gate-house), to meet her new brother-in-law, Philip of Spain.
In October 1555, she and her household were again moved, to Hatfield, under the care of her "gaoler," Sir Thomas POPE, with the rules governing her freedom eased at the request of Philip, as he headed off to his European Kingdoms, perhaps aware his wife was ailing and needing to keep Elizabeth on-side.
POPE's controls were further eased, and Elizabeth was returned to Court in time for Philip's return to London in late March 1557. Mary visited her at Hatfield in April. Later that month, another feeble attempt on Mary's throne failed, at Scarborough Castle, and the perpetrator, named STAFFORD, was executed. Because of the rebellion's origins in France, Mary declared war, only to lose Calais, which had been under English control for over two centuries.
Elizabeth was visiting Brockett Hall, Hertfordshire, 8 November 1558, when Mary, almost at the last hour, finally signified that Elizabeth should succeed her. Mary died on 17 November, and Elizabeth went up to London, from Hatfield, on 23 November.
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GIOVANNI IN THE TOWER OF LONDON.
Very little mention is made in the published histories of Giovanni CASTIGLIONE during this period. The sole exception is the several times he was, as the Italian Master, incarcerated in the Tower of London.
And even here, concerning the actual number of times that Giovanni was sent to the Tower, most modern historians seem to know less than the then Venetian Ambassador in London, Giovanni MICHIEL, who on 2 June 1556, wrote to his Doge:
"The number of persons imprisoned increases daily... Two days later Mistress ASHLEY was taken thither, she being the chief governess of Milady Elizabeth, the arrest, together with that of three other domestics, having taken place in the country, 18 miles hence, even in the aforesaid Milady's house, and where at present she resides, which has caused great general vexation. Amongst the domestics is a certain Battista, an Italian, native of Piedmont, the Signora's master for the Italian tongue, and who has twice before been imprisoned on her account, he being much suspected on the score of religion, as is likewise the governess and all the others. I am told that they have already confessed to having known about the conspiracy; so not having revealed it, were there nothing else against them, they may probably not quit the Tower alive..."
[Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, Relating to English Affairs, Existing in the Archives and Collections in Venice and in other Libraries in Northern Italy, Edited and Translated by Rawdon Lubbock BROWN, Volume 6: 1555-1556, Part 1, 1877 (C.S.P., Venetian Series), at page 475.]
Well, we do have reason to be thankful that he got the last bit wrong! And we will deal with this, the third incarceration, a little further on.
Giovanni's three separate incarcerations in the Tower become apparent from other published references.
The first, and least publicised, was in 1554, probably as a result of the WYATT Rebellion.
Alison WEIR ["Children of England: The Heirs of King Henry VIII," Jonathan Cape, London, 1996] wrote that CASTIGLIONE had been imprisoned in 1554 on suspicion of having distributed subversive literature, although she may have confused the cause with another charge to follow about a year later.
Alison WEIR ["Children of England: The Heirs of King Henry VIII," Jonathan Cape, London, 1996] wrote that CASTIGLIONE had been imprisoned in 1554 on suspicion of having distributed subversive literature, although she may have confused the cause with another charge to follow about a year later.
Giovanni's descendants had a different, and perhaps more appropriate view as to the reason. His son and heir, Sir Frances CASTILLION, wrote in 1631:
"... But in the 1st of Queene Mary, for trusty service then done by him, touching her Grace's safety, then a Prisoner, he was committed close prisoner to the Tower of London. And being twice out of prison a few weeks, the lady Elizabeth writ letters secretly to him, all of her owne hand; to goe unto the French Ambassador, and King Phillip's confessor, at Whitehall; with other her letters, late in the night, about her Grace's troubles, whereof he was strictly examined in the Tower, by Bishop GARDENER, then Lord Chancellor - Suffered on the Racke to confesse his trust therein, being Lame thereof: but he would make no confession, whereby the Lady Elizabeth may come in danger of being wrongfully accused about WIATT's Rebellion, as the chronicles maketh mention..."
[Francis CASTILLION. His Letterbook, Op. Cit.]
The first year of Queen Mary's reign, was, of course, 1553-54, so the timing is right for the WYATT Rebellion. But we are not dealing just with subversive literature here.
Anne SOMERSET ["Elizabeth I," Wedenfeld and Nicolson, London, 1991] noted a similar charge concerning subversive literature attached to his imprisonment in May 1555. In this case, MICHIEL also proved to have been well informed, writing on 13 May 1555:
"Certain knaves in this country endeavour daily to disturb the peace and quiet and present state of the kingdom, so as if possible to induce some novelty and insurrection, there having been privily circulated of late throughout the city a 'Dialogue,' written and printed in English, full of seditious and scandalous things against the religion and government, as also against the council, the Parliament, and chiefly against their Majesties' persons; and although all diligence has been used for the discovery of the authors, no light on the subject has yet been obtained, save that an Italian has been put in the Tower, he being a master for teaching the Italian tongue to Milady Elizabeth, some suspicion having been apparently entertained of him..."
[Calendar of State Papers, Venetian Series, page 70.]
His third incarceration was in mid 1556, when his interrogatories, with answers attached, were submitted to Council in a report dated 31 May 1556:
"Question: What bills or letters have you since Christmas written to any person now beyond the seas and to what effect?
Answer: To Mistress WILLIAMS, concerning money I sent for her.
"Q: From what persons now beyond the seas have you received any letter or bill since Christmas, of what effect, and by whom you received or sent any?
A: Of the same to the same effect, I received and sent by a young man I know not.
"Q: How often have you been to London since Christmas, and what places did you most resort to?
A: Once. Where I resorted I remember not well; but to a milliner's shop where I bought a cap, gloves, a girdle, [to] a hosier and a bookbinder; and in Marke lane to a friend, Mistress WATTSON, to look how she did, and in that lane to Mistress BURNELL, where I lay all night; in Seething lane to my countryman John d'ANTONIO to buy strings for my lady grace's lute. What communications I cannot well tell.
"Q: Whether and how often you have resorted to the French and the Venetian ambassadors, by night or day, since Christmas, upon what occasion, and what talk you had with them? How often have you sent to any of their secretaries or clerks, and what messages or letters have you received from them, by whom, and to what effect?
A: I never resorted to or spoke to any of them.
"I forgot in (3) I was with Laurence SHEREVE the grocer, to whom I paid money I owed him for one of my fellows; also I was in Bucklersbury to buy a box of turpentine for the disease of my back; also I was with a silk-woman at Ludgate where I bought black lace to edge a cloak, and at St Martin's [le Grande] for two dozen buttons; in Cheapside for sarsanet; in another place for points; at Foster lane end I bought two pairs of wandone gloves. I had no talk but about my business."
[Calendar of State Papers, Mary I, Domestic Series, 1556; reprinted 1998.]
I am entirely unclear from any published source as to what this interrogation was actually about.
This extract does reveal, however, that it was an earlier incarceration that had led to his "disease" of the back, if that disease was, as is believed, induced by his experience on the Rack. And here too, was another ace up his sleeve - a knack with musical instruments - and I daresay he was also skilled in the Italian style of dancing, said to have been high, which was a favourite style with Elizabeth. But that was for a happier time.
It was during this last period of incarceration that Giovanni was confined in the Broad Arrow Tower, where, in an upper room, immediately to the left of the fireplace, he left his mark in the stonework, in a graffito still clearly visible today:
"Inqueste vanita ch'ogn'un desia noponer tua speranza ma sicuro scorgi il camin ch'al sommo ben t'ivia - Giovani Battista CASTIGLIONE - 1556."
This has been translated as:
"Do not rest your hopes on these vain things that all men desire, but follow the sure road which leads to the highest good."
[Tower Inscriptions, The Royal Armouries Library, Tower of London, page 17.]
A second inscription, in the Salt Tower, dated August 1556, is also attributed by Tower staff to Giovanni. The name "John Baptiste" appears under a carved letter "E" inside a heart, with two names under his - "Christofer Pearn" and "Christofer Norton."
It is curious that, although the Broad Arrow Tower inscription is in Italian, this one is in English - I do wonder whether this may not have been inscribed by Giovanni himself?
Neither of these two additional names crop up in archived records pertaining to CASTIGLIONE. A Christopher NORTON was incarcerated in the Tower some 14 years later, in April 1570, where he was executed for plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth herself - which seems to suggest he would hardly have been signing himself into Elizabeth's favours in 1556.
There are several other references to Giovanni in the historical record for this period.
On 27 June 1548, the Privy Council (Acts) warranted Sir Wimund CAREWE "... to be delivered to Thomas SMYTH, Clerk of the Council, £5 given to John BAPTISTA, Italian, for rewarde..."
Giovanni was several times incorrectly referred to in State Paper MSs as Giovanni BATTISTA, "Castilian."
Giovanni was several times incorrectly referred to in State Paper MSs as Giovanni BATTISTA, "Castilian."
And on 29 October 1550, John Baptist CASTIGLIONE was granted his Patent of Denization "...(complete)... by the Lord Chancellor, by virtue of the King's warrant, for nil payable, by mandate of the Lord Chancellor."
Charlotte BOLLAND, in her "An Englishman's Italian Dedication" ["Leadership and Elizabethan Culture," edited by Peter Iver KAUFMAN, and published in 2013 by Palgrave Macmillan, at page 41], in noting this Denization entry, surmised that this having occurred without him having to make any payment "... suggests that he was already in royal service."
However, BOLLAND went on to say that CASTILLION was "... imprisoned yet again in 1556 after the circulation of an anti-catholic tract was traced to Elizabeth's household, and was not released until Elizabeth's accession" - which elongated period of incarceration seems unlikely, given the following event.
However, BOLLAND went on to say that CASTILLION was "... imprisoned yet again in 1556 after the circulation of an anti-catholic tract was traced to Elizabeth's household, and was not released until Elizabeth's accession" - which elongated period of incarceration seems unlikely, given the following event.
Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE was married in the parish church of St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, in February 1558, to the widow Margarett ALLEN. See further below.
From this point onwards, and the more so after Queen Mary's death, nine months later, CASTIGLIONE's situation evidently became more calm, probably more secure, and certainly more prosperous.
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GIOVANNI, UNDER QUEEN ELIZABETH.
On Elizabeth's accession, Giovanni was appointed a Groom of her Privy Chamber. His proximity to her court in the previous 14 years made him an obvious contender, and for the top end of the pecking order, if there was one, among grooms, which has been said to have numbered six at her coronation, and doubled to twelve by 1580.
William TIGHE gives a clearer picture of these numbers in his contribution to the book "The Elizabethan World," edited by Susan DORAN and Norman SMITH, and published by Routledge, London and New York, 2011. By abstracting details from Cofferer's Accounts (for fees or stipends paid) and Livery Clothing Grants, TIGHE found [Chapter 5, page 81] the following succession of Grooms of the Privy Chamber, originally numbering just four:
1. Thomas ASTLEY - 1558, until his death in August 1595.
2. Henry SECKFORD - 1558, until the end of the reign. Also Keeper of the Privy Purse from 1569.
3. John Baptist CASTILLION - 1558, until his death in February 1598.
4. Thomas COMMAUNDER - 1558, until his death in January 1559.
5. John TAMWORTH - 1559 (replacing COMMAUNDER), until his death in April 1569.
6. Thomas LITCHFIELD, a lutenist - March 1559, until his death in 1586.
7. Edward CAREY - 1562, until the end of the reign.
8. Henry MIDDLEMORE - 1569 (replacing TAMWORTH) with livery only (until 1593).
9. Thomas KNYVETT - 1570, until the end of the reign.
10. Thomas GORGES - 1571, until the end of the reign.
11. William KILLIGREW - 1574 (livery only) and 1578 (fees), until the end of the reign.
12. Ferdinando RICHARDSON alias HEYBORNE - 1587 (replacing Thomas LITCHFIELD as "musician in residence"), until the end of the reign.
13. Edward DARCY - 1581 (livery only) and 1595 (fees - probably in the room of his father-in-law Thomas ASTLEY), until the end of the reign.
14. Edward DENNY - 1582 (livery only), until his death in 1600.
15. Michael STANHOPE - 1586 (livery only) and 1598 (fees).
There are two other lists which show some variations in the order of the early appointments, both of which appear in "Titled Elizabethans; A Directory of Elizabethan Court, State and Church Officers, 1558-1603," by Arthur F. KINNEY (1973 edition) and Jane A. LAWSON (editor, 2014 reprint), published by Palgrave MacMillan. The first is a list of the five Grooms who were in attendance at Elizabeth's coronation on 15 January 1559:
1. Thomas ASTLEY.
2. John Baptist CASTILION.
3. Thomas LICHFIELD.
4. Henry SECKFORD.
5. John TAMWORTH.
The second is their general listing of the Grooms of the Privy Chamber, the first six of which are as follows (after which their list matches TIGHE's list in DORAN and SMITH):
1. George BRIDGEMAN, ca 1553 - 1580. [He was elsewhere listed as Keeper of Westminster Palace, 1550's to 1580, so perhaps included here in error?]
2. Thomas ASTLEY, 1558 - 1596.
3. John Baptist CASTILION, 1558 - 1597.
4. Thomas COMMANDER, 1558-1559.
5. Henry SECKFORD, 1558 - 1610.
6. Thomas LICHFIELD, 1559 - 1586.
I do not know whether these differences carry any significance.
But it does appear likely that Thomas ASTLEY would have held superiority over CASTILLION. Despite not having served in Elizabeth's court before (he had absented himself in exile in Europe during Mary's Reign), ASTLEY was by now married to Mary CROWLEY, a widow, and the third daughter of Sir Anthony DENNY (at whose house Elizabeth had spent some time imprisoned in 1548, after the SEYMOUR affair) by his wife Jane CHAMPERNOWNE of Devon. And he was English!
William TIGHE gives a clearer picture of these numbers in his contribution to the book "The Elizabethan World," edited by Susan DORAN and Norman SMITH, and published by Routledge, London and New York, 2011. By abstracting details from Cofferer's Accounts (for fees or stipends paid) and Livery Clothing Grants, TIGHE found [Chapter 5, page 81] the following succession of Grooms of the Privy Chamber, originally numbering just four:
1. Thomas ASTLEY - 1558, until his death in August 1595.
2. Henry SECKFORD - 1558, until the end of the reign. Also Keeper of the Privy Purse from 1569.
3. John Baptist CASTILLION - 1558, until his death in February 1598.
4. Thomas COMMAUNDER - 1558, until his death in January 1559.
5. John TAMWORTH - 1559 (replacing COMMAUNDER), until his death in April 1569.
6. Thomas LITCHFIELD, a lutenist - March 1559, until his death in 1586.
7. Edward CAREY - 1562, until the end of the reign.
8. Henry MIDDLEMORE - 1569 (replacing TAMWORTH) with livery only (until 1593).
9. Thomas KNYVETT - 1570, until the end of the reign.
10. Thomas GORGES - 1571, until the end of the reign.
11. William KILLIGREW - 1574 (livery only) and 1578 (fees), until the end of the reign.
12. Ferdinando RICHARDSON alias HEYBORNE - 1587 (replacing Thomas LITCHFIELD as "musician in residence"), until the end of the reign.
13. Edward DARCY - 1581 (livery only) and 1595 (fees - probably in the room of his father-in-law Thomas ASTLEY), until the end of the reign.
14. Edward DENNY - 1582 (livery only), until his death in 1600.
15. Michael STANHOPE - 1586 (livery only) and 1598 (fees).
There are two other lists which show some variations in the order of the early appointments, both of which appear in "Titled Elizabethans; A Directory of Elizabethan Court, State and Church Officers, 1558-1603," by Arthur F. KINNEY (1973 edition) and Jane A. LAWSON (editor, 2014 reprint), published by Palgrave MacMillan. The first is a list of the five Grooms who were in attendance at Elizabeth's coronation on 15 January 1559:
1. Thomas ASTLEY.
2. John Baptist CASTILION.
3. Thomas LICHFIELD.
4. Henry SECKFORD.
5. John TAMWORTH.
The second is their general listing of the Grooms of the Privy Chamber, the first six of which are as follows (after which their list matches TIGHE's list in DORAN and SMITH):
1. George BRIDGEMAN, ca 1553 - 1580. [He was elsewhere listed as Keeper of Westminster Palace, 1550's to 1580, so perhaps included here in error?]
2. Thomas ASTLEY, 1558 - 1596.
3. John Baptist CASTILION, 1558 - 1597.
4. Thomas COMMANDER, 1558-1559.
5. Henry SECKFORD, 1558 - 1610.
6. Thomas LICHFIELD, 1559 - 1586.
I do not know whether these differences carry any significance.
But it does appear likely that Thomas ASTLEY would have held superiority over CASTILLION. Despite not having served in Elizabeth's court before (he had absented himself in exile in Europe during Mary's Reign), ASTLEY was by now married to Mary CROWLEY, a widow, and the third daughter of Sir Anthony DENNY (at whose house Elizabeth had spent some time imprisoned in 1548, after the SEYMOUR affair) by his wife Jane CHAMPERNOWNE of Devon. And he was English!
Also, his younger half-brother, John ASHLEY, was married to Katherine CHAMPERNOWNE, also from Devon, an old and faithful servant of Elizabeth, having been her former Governess (1536) and partly responsible for her early education - and he was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and Master of the Jewel House in 1558.
At least one descendant had pondered on Giovanni's appointment as perhaps being a move by Elizabeth to keep him on the inside, lest his knowledge of her affairs might prove a problem if he was on the outer. But I suspect her trust in him went well beyond that, and not without good reason.
As to his exact whereabouts, the official records remain mostly silent. That he had two children baptised at the Parish Church of St-Martin-in-the-Fields in May 1561 and January 1563 suggests their residence was towards that end of the Palace complex at Whitehall. By February 1765, they appear to have moved, as their next child, and subsequent children, were all baptised at St Margaret's, Westminster.
Of particular interest here is that this third child, the son Valentine CASTILION, was the only one of their children whose god-mother was the Queen herself.
On 25 September 1567, Mr CASTILLION, of the Kinges Streate, Westminster St Margaret, was named on the new Poor Law Roll for Westminster; he was in subsequent Rolls, dated 1568, 1569, 25 December 1570, 24 August 1572, 24 August 1573 and 22 April 1574.
In 1583, we find John Baptist CASTILLION, Esq, of Westminster, in the registration of his son Valentine's admission to the Middle Temple. And in November 1587, there is reference, in the Calendar of Patent Rolls, to "... the now dwelling house of the said John BAPTISTE, being in Kinge's street in the City of Westminster."
King's Street passed through the gates of Whitehall Palace; these gates, built in 1532, and demolished in 1723, stood south of the Holbein Gate.
And Giovanni is occasionally referred to in State Papers by this alias, at least once being recorded to as John BAPTIST, "Castilian."
On 28 January 1559, Giovanni was granted for life, for his services, the offices of Bailiff, Woodward and Steward of the Manor of Benham Valence, County Berkshire, and keeper of the Park, and keeper of the mansion, with wages of 40 shillings a year for the offices and 2 pence a day each for the keeperships.
Six years later, on 13 January 1565, Giovanni was granted the Manor itself:
"... the Manor of Benham Valence, late parcel of the lands granted to the Queen for her maintenance before her accession and formerly of William ESSEX, Knt, lands, etc... and all other appurtenances of the said Manor in Spene, Benham Valence and Westbroke, County Berkshire. To hold as the Manor of Estgrenewiche in socage and by a yearly rent of £14 3s and 2d. For CASTIGLIONE's service. By Q." [Calendar of Patent Rolls, Elizabeth.]
[St Mary's Church, Spene, near Newbury Berkshire.]
Giovanni appears to have settled upon this establishment as his principal residence outside of London, and was to be buried near there 33 years later.
[Notice on the inside of St Mary's Church, Spene.]
On 15 September 1569, Giovanni was granted the:
"Lease, for 21 years, of the Manor of Snave and all the lands, courts, advowsons and other appurtenances thereof, of Snave, Langbete, Warehome, Ivechurch and elsewhere, in County Kent, late of Thomas WYATT, Knt, attainted, with reservations, from the termination of a grant thereof by Patent 27 February ii and iii Phillip and Mary to Anne, Duchess of Somerset; yearly rent £27 15s. and 6d. For his services. By P.S."
[Calendar of Patent Rolls, Elizabeth.]
In April 1572, he was additionally granted the Lease of the Manor of Porlocke, County Somerset (late the Duke of Suffolk's, attainted for treason), and lands in Shete in Petersfield, County Southampton, for 31 years, at a yearly rental of 14 shillings, again for his service.
HIBBERT noted that Elizabeth's household staff settled down to:
"... no more than three gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, less than ten grooms, seven married ladies of high rank, four of lesser rank known as the Queen's Women, and six maids in waiting, usually girls."
He also observed that Elizabeth kept several of the estates forfeited by traitors, and:
"... bestowing others on courtiers whom she found more accommodating and agreeable." [Christopher HIBBERT, "Virgin Queen," pages 104 and 118.]
SOME "EXTRA-CURRICULAR" ACTIVITIES.
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SOME "EXTRA-CURRICULAR" ACTIVITIES.
In March 1565, CASTIGLIONE was involved in securing armaments for an English Army under Robert DUDLEY, Earl of Leicester. Thomaso BARONCELLI wrote to DUDLEY from Antwerp concerning two suits of armour for a man and one for a horse, fashioned by Helisio LIBERTES (an accomplished Florentine engraver) which he sends with LIBERTES, and a dagger of "... exquisite workmanship worthy of the Queen's inspection. [BARONCELLI] has been informed by Gio. Baptista CASTIGLIONE of her wishes in these matters... [LIBERTES has brought over] some drawings as was intimated by the writer, from the Earl through Giobattista CASTIGLIONE," and the Earl's arquebus.
By January 1566, some 600 acres of riverside land in the Parishes of Erith and Plumstead, County Kent, had been reclaimed from inundation by the River Thames. The work, under license of Queen Elizabeth dated 10 March 1562, guaranteed rights to half the reclaimed lands to Jacopo ACONCIO, an Italian jurist, philosopher and engineer, who arrived in England in 1559, and began reclamation work in June 1562. Some of the reclaimed lands were lost, whence ACONCIO entered into a partnership with G.B. CASTIGLIONE and some English tradesmen to make further efforts. Apparently Giovanni and some London businessmen guaranteed losses up to £5,000, which money was not recouped for another 8 years.
Charlotte BOLLAND ["Leadership and Elizabethan Culture" - see above] noted that:
"CASTIGLIONE had become friends with the engineer through his wife's family, the COMPAGNI of Florence, who had supported ACONCIO when he arrived in England in the winter of 1559."
Charlotte BOLLAND ["Leadership and Elizabethan Culture" - see above] noted that:
"CASTIGLIONE had become friends with the engineer through his wife's family, the COMPAGNI of Florence, who had supported ACONCIO when he arrived in England in the winter of 1559."
ACONCIO and CASTIGLIONE were said to have been in accord regarding questions of religion - in other words, refugees "conscientae causa" - or Protestants. ACONCIO died about 1567, leaving his manuscripts in Giovanni's care - and he published one of them, "Una essortazione al timor di Dio," in 1580, with a dedication to Queen Elizabeth.
Charlotte BOLLAND further observed that this was the first Italian book to be published in England; she also noted that CASTIGLIONE "... acted as a liaison between other Italians and the highest levels of the court" and noted that "... the historian and poet Pietro BIZZARRI described CASTIGLIONE as 'so generous and of such noble and praiseworthy manners, that for these and for his valour he deserves to be held in such high esteem by so great a queen' in his 1568 dedication to Elizabeth in his 'Historia di Pietri Bizari'..."
Charlotte BOLLAND further observed that this was the first Italian book to be published in England; she also noted that CASTIGLIONE "... acted as a liaison between other Italians and the highest levels of the court" and noted that "... the historian and poet Pietro BIZZARRI described CASTIGLIONE as 'so generous and of such noble and praiseworthy manners, that for these and for his valour he deserves to be held in such high esteem by so great a queen' in his 1568 dedication to Elizabeth in his 'Historia di Pietri Bizari'..."
On 26 May 1568, Giovanni wrote from Westminster to Lord COBHAM, concerning a proposed match between Queen Elizabeth and Charles, Archduke of the Holy Roman Empire:
"... on Wednesday evening after prayers, Mr NORTH had a long conversation with Her Majesty, who called him into the private chamber issuing out of the oratory. Her Majesty, after having seen the likeness of the Archduke, gave orders to have it put into a frame, which was done, but as yet she does not wish it to be seen, 'fearing no doubt lest it's beauty should dazzle the minds and sight of others'."
[Salisbury MSs, Part I, page 356, No 1173.]
This was undoubtedly connected with several of CECIL's letters to COBHAM (then Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports), of similar date, one mentioning a letter to COBHAM which CECIL had opened after being "... moved thereto by Mr BAPTIST"; the other referring to the possibility of Mr BAPTISTA being "... with you shortly, to pass secretly over" perhaps on his way to Europe in connection with this proposed marriage.
As with all the other prospective suits for Elizabeth's hand, this also came to nothing.
THE DISPUTED RECTORY MANOR OF GODALMING.
_____________________________________________________________
THE DISPUTED RECTORY MANOR OF GODALMING.
In November 1568, Giovanni is noted in connection with the Advowson of the Rectory of Godalming, County Surrey, with an annuity arising from it of either £20 or £40 a year, and of which:
"... he had a demise for a term of years from the Dean of Salisbury."
[COCKAYNE. "Pedigree of CASTILLION." The Genealogist, New Series, Volume XVII, London, 1901, page 202.]
However, this arrangement may have gone back some years earlier - Percy WOODS, in his article "The Parsonage, or Rectory Manor of Godalming, etc," published in 1909 in Volume XXII of the Surrey Archaeological Collection, wrote as follows:
"... the Parsonage must have come into the possession of one John Baptist CASTILLION, who was the Lord of the Rectory Manor at least as early as 1576, and who had obtained a lease from Dean VANNES, dated 26 June 1561, for 61 years commencing at the Lady day next after the determination of the previous leases."
However, this arrangement may have gone back some years earlier - Percy WOODS, in his article "The Parsonage, or Rectory Manor of Godalming, etc," published in 1909 in Volume XXII of the Surrey Archaeological Collection, wrote as follows:
"... the Parsonage must have come into the possession of one John Baptist CASTILLION, who was the Lord of the Rectory Manor at least as early as 1576, and who had obtained a lease from Dean VANNES, dated 26 June 1561, for 61 years commencing at the Lady day next after the determination of the previous leases."
The Dean who granted CASTILLION the lease was Peter VANNES, originally from Lucca in Toscana, and a former Latin Secretary to Henry VIII, and who was well enough known to CASTILLION's very recently deceased father-in-law, Bartholomew COMPAGNI, who named VANNES in his 1561 will.
But there is some lack of clarity about the actual arrangements of this lease - firstly the status of the "previous leases" made it difficult to know when the term of VANNES's lease actually commenced - and it appears that there may have been two separate "ecclesiastical" dwellings in Godalming, the Rectory house and the Parsonage house, the latter probably the older of the two, and was "...a small building used sometimes as a dwelling house and sometimes to lay corn in."
It appears this latter one was the subject of CASTILLION's lease, and that he probably demolished it, and built a new one on the same site, north of the Godalming churchyard, on the southern bank of the River Wye, notwithstanding the possibility that his lease term may not then have actually commenced.
But there is some lack of clarity about the actual arrangements of this lease - firstly the status of the "previous leases" made it difficult to know when the term of VANNES's lease actually commenced - and it appears that there may have been two separate "ecclesiastical" dwellings in Godalming, the Rectory house and the Parsonage house, the latter probably the older of the two, and was "...a small building used sometimes as a dwelling house and sometimes to lay corn in."
It appears this latter one was the subject of CASTILLION's lease, and that he probably demolished it, and built a new one on the same site, north of the Godalming churchyard, on the southern bank of the River Wye, notwithstanding the possibility that his lease term may not then have actually commenced.
In 1578, a dispute arose after the appointment of a new Rector, Francis TAYLOR (instituted on 13 September 1578), and the availability of the Rectory house as a residence for him, it still being occupied by Richard SMITH, the former vicar GRAFTON's man (Robert GRAFTON had just been deprived of the vicarage).
TAYLOR, a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. 1567, M.A. 1570), had been Master of Guildford Grammar School from 1570 until his appointment at Godalming; he died in 1619.
The erstwhile "patron" of the living, Sir William MORE, of Loseley, Surrey, was also involved in the dispute.
(John) Baptiste CASTILLION, at Westminster, wrote to MORE on 11 September 1578, the letter being abstracted by the Historical Manuscripts Commission [Appendix to the 7th Report, 1879, pages 631-2] as follows:
"He sends his signed presentation of Mr TAYLOR to the living of Godalming at MORE's request and trusts that '...by his Godly preaching he shall do the town much good.' The presentation is not to be '...prejudicial to the right I have to the house where now the vicar doth dwell' and to the tithes, which right CASTILLION means to prove at law unless the vicar demonstrates his title."
CASTILLION, at the Court, wrote again to MORE on 22 October 1578 [HMC, App, page 632b]:
"The Dean [of Salisbury] '... upon payment of his rent for Godalming' requested of CASTILLION that he should have the presentation of the vicarage. CASTILLION asked for more time to consider and now '... cannot but marvel at this kind of dealing.' CASTILLION, having presented Mr TAYLOR to the vicarage of Godalming at MORE's request, hopes that the matter can be settled so that TAYLOR is not disturbed, but his own title under his lease is acknowledged. He encloses a letter for the Dean and hopes the latter will proceed no further, but wait for CASTILLION's reply."
TAYLOR, a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. 1567, M.A. 1570), had been Master of Guildford Grammar School from 1570 until his appointment at Godalming; he died in 1619.
The erstwhile "patron" of the living, Sir William MORE, of Loseley, Surrey, was also involved in the dispute.
(John) Baptiste CASTILLION, at Westminster, wrote to MORE on 11 September 1578, the letter being abstracted by the Historical Manuscripts Commission [Appendix to the 7th Report, 1879, pages 631-2] as follows:
"He sends his signed presentation of Mr TAYLOR to the living of Godalming at MORE's request and trusts that '...by his Godly preaching he shall do the town much good.' The presentation is not to be '...prejudicial to the right I have to the house where now the vicar doth dwell' and to the tithes, which right CASTILLION means to prove at law unless the vicar demonstrates his title."
CASTILLION, at the Court, wrote again to MORE on 22 October 1578 [HMC, App, page 632b]:
"The Dean [of Salisbury] '... upon payment of his rent for Godalming' requested of CASTILLION that he should have the presentation of the vicarage. CASTILLION asked for more time to consider and now '... cannot but marvel at this kind of dealing.' CASTILLION, having presented Mr TAYLOR to the vicarage of Godalming at MORE's request, hopes that the matter can be settled so that TAYLOR is not disturbed, but his own title under his lease is acknowledged. He encloses a letter for the Dean and hopes the latter will proceed no further, but wait for CASTILLION's reply."
CASTILLION, again at Court, wrote further to MORE, on 24 October 1578:
"... touching his claim to the rectory house at Godalming, to the vicarage of which parish he has appointed Mr TAYLOR. '... Now for that I understand Mr TAYLOR is not resident,' says Mr CASTILLION, '... at Godalming for lack of a house, I will be contented to lend him so much of that I have of Mr SMYTH as shall serve his turn for the time... As my mind is not to offer Mr TAYLOR or to any man else any wrong, so I hope that my Lord [Bishop] WINCHESTER nor the Deane of Sarum, nor the town of Godalming will offer me none also, but if they do, I must defend myself as well as I can'."
What appears to be a second abstraction of this letter, with slightly different emphases, but dated 24 November 1578, is held at the Surrey History Centre [TNA Ref - 6729/7/55/1], as follows:
"He has received MORE's letter, but feels he cannot yet answer it as his 'learned counsel' has left London. Understanding that Mr TAYLOR is not resident at Godalming because he lacks a house, CASTILLION will lend him part of the house he has '...of Mr SMYTH.' If TAYLOR can prove his right to the [vicarage] at law, CASTILLION will gladly give it up. He wishes to do TAYLOR no wrong, but must defend himself against the Bishop of Winchester, Dean of Salisbury and town of Godalming if attacked."
CASTILLION wrote, again from the Court, again to MORE, on 26 November 1578 [6729/7/55/2]:
"He thanks MORE for his offer to show him a rental, but does not believe that '... a rental can be a sufficient proof that the house doth appertain to your vicar.' However he will concede if the vicar can prove his title at law. He offers the vicar a part of Mr SMYTH's house so he can reside in Godalming and asks MORE to assure TAYLOR [the vicar] that CASTILLION will answer all the legal costs in the dispute with the Dean [of Salisbury] so TAYLOR can '...follow earnestly his vocation.' He chides the townspeople of Godalming for meddling in the case. He hears that Richard SMYTH is occupying the house 'for Mr GRAFTON' [the former vicar] and asks MORE to get him removed."
The dispute did not go away in a hurry - Sir William MORE, at Loseley, wrote to Charles, Lord HOWARD of Effingham, Lord Chamberlain and Privy Councillor [6729/7/73], on 2 March 1584:
"He reports that he has interviewed the present and past Churchwardens and others of Godalming who had complained to the justices of the '... lewd behaviour of Simon BOYES, Mr Baptiste's man' [Baptiste CASTILLION]. They have confirmed the accusations. Also present was the vicar Mr TAYLOR '...a very grave man, a good preacher, against whom the said Simon had very naughtily and disorderly used himself.' BOYES had confessed, '... acknowledged the words spoken by his master, but said they slipped out of his mouth unawares.' and admitted that he had falsely accused Robert BRIDGER and CHENNELL of being '... the procurer and deviser of the said information against him.' The accusers are happy to let the matter drop if BOYES does not offend again before the next Quarter Sessions..."
What appears to be a second abstraction of this letter, with slightly different emphases, but dated 24 November 1578, is held at the Surrey History Centre [TNA Ref - 6729/7/55/1], as follows:
"He has received MORE's letter, but feels he cannot yet answer it as his 'learned counsel' has left London. Understanding that Mr TAYLOR is not resident at Godalming because he lacks a house, CASTILLION will lend him part of the house he has '...of Mr SMYTH.' If TAYLOR can prove his right to the [vicarage] at law, CASTILLION will gladly give it up. He wishes to do TAYLOR no wrong, but must defend himself against the Bishop of Winchester, Dean of Salisbury and town of Godalming if attacked."
CASTILLION wrote, again from the Court, again to MORE, on 26 November 1578 [6729/7/55/2]:
"He thanks MORE for his offer to show him a rental, but does not believe that '... a rental can be a sufficient proof that the house doth appertain to your vicar.' However he will concede if the vicar can prove his title at law. He offers the vicar a part of Mr SMYTH's house so he can reside in Godalming and asks MORE to assure TAYLOR [the vicar] that CASTILLION will answer all the legal costs in the dispute with the Dean [of Salisbury] so TAYLOR can '...follow earnestly his vocation.' He chides the townspeople of Godalming for meddling in the case. He hears that Richard SMYTH is occupying the house 'for Mr GRAFTON' [the former vicar] and asks MORE to get him removed."
The dispute did not go away in a hurry - Sir William MORE, at Loseley, wrote to Charles, Lord HOWARD of Effingham, Lord Chamberlain and Privy Councillor [6729/7/73], on 2 March 1584:
"He reports that he has interviewed the present and past Churchwardens and others of Godalming who had complained to the justices of the '... lewd behaviour of Simon BOYES, Mr Baptiste's man' [Baptiste CASTILLION]. They have confirmed the accusations. Also present was the vicar Mr TAYLOR '...a very grave man, a good preacher, against whom the said Simon had very naughtily and disorderly used himself.' BOYES had confessed, '... acknowledged the words spoken by his master, but said they slipped out of his mouth unawares.' and admitted that he had falsely accused Robert BRIDGER and CHENNELL of being '... the procurer and deviser of the said information against him.' The accusers are happy to let the matter drop if BOYES does not offend again before the next Quarter Sessions..."
CASTILLION evidently retained the Advowson, which he is said to have granted to his third son Peter on the occasion of his marriage, in about 1595, to Thomasine PEYTON, probably just a year or two before his death.
It was eventually the inheritance of Giovanni's Irish-born grandson, Peyton CASTILLION (see his will abstract, below), but it appears that Thomasin exercised some rights as the widow, and her longevity may have denied Peyton access to the benefits.
However, there appears to have been some legal action ("pleadings") taken in the Court of Chancery by Sir Robert PIGOTT and his second wife Thomasin PIGOTT alias CASTILLION alias PEYTON (the plaintiffs), against her former brothers-in-law Sir Francis and Valentine CASTILLION (the defendants), pertaining to the "Rectory and Tithes of Godalming, Surrey," with a date range of 1603-25 [TNA Ref - C 2/Jas1/P5/17].
A copy of this archived document (held in the Surrey History centre) has been requested from The National Archives, and is eagerly awaited.
And it may help to explain how Henry CASTILLION, yet another of Giovanni's sons, made mention, in his will (proved P.C.C., 19 November 1646), of "... my annuity of £20 by the year to be paid out of the Parsonage of Godalming" - perhaps the feeoffment by Giovanni was to be shared by Peter with one or more of his brothers.
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HIS FINAL YEARS.
On 15 May 1583, John Baptist CASTILLION Esq, and his wife Margaret, "... widow of Lazarus ALLEN," were involved in a legal disputation against Sir Christopher ALLEN and Roger GRAVES, "... concerning an annuity of £20 out of the estates in Lincs, Notts, Yorks, Kent and Herefordshire, of Sir John ALLEN, late Alderman of London."
[Index to the Supreme Court of Judicature, Chancery Division, Six Clerks Office and Successors Decree Rolls, First Division, xxv Elizabeth.]
Sir Christopher was the elder brother of Lazarus ALLEN; both were illegitimate sons of Sir John ALLEN, Mercer and Alderman of London, twice Lord Mayor of London, and a member of the Privy Council.
In January 1593, Giovanni was involved in matters relating to the estate of John Baptist PIATINARI, a native of Pinaro in Piemonte, Physician, who died suddenly in London about 1590, leaving goods to the value of £1,500-1,600. Another Italian, and a stranger to the deceased, had seized the goods, but later, in remorse, had issued a decree calling on PIATINARIs' relations and such to make their claims upon the property. CASTIGLIONE, who "... has been a true friend to his compatriots in England, then sent to Calais to see if Anthoine JACOMEL, President of Calais, were still alive, who was cousin german to the deceased; who at once sent CASTILLION a proxy to act for him on behalf of his children the heirs."
John Baptist CASTILIAN, "Esq, a Gentleman of the Queen's Privy Chamber," was admitted to the Middle Temple, 12 August 1595. But it appears unlikely that he was ever a Gentleman of that Chamber.
Giovanni's widow Margaret continued to live in or near Benham Valence, Berkshire, after his death; her will was dated Friday 22 June 1621, of Speen, Widow, and proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 2 November 1622 (103 Saville), by her grandson Peyton CASTILLION, her sole executor, to whom "... all my stock and goods without the house," the rest "... my household stuffe" going to her son Sir Frances, with whom she appears to have had an estrangement, the second witness being her son Douglas CASTILLION.
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GIOVANNI MARRIES AND HAS A FAMILY.
Giovanni Battista CASTIGLIONE was married in the Parish Church of St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, by Andrew ARNEM, Rector, on 11 February 1558, to Margarett ALLEN. She was the widow of Lazarus ALLEN (natural son of Sir John ALLEN, P.C., Lord Mayor of London, and after his death, ward of Sir William PAGET, Principal Secretary to Henry VIII), and the natural daughter of Florentine Merchant Stranger in London, Bartolomeo COMPAGNI (see another posting in this blog).
A list of women who held positions in Queen Elizabeth's Court has been compiled by Jane A. LAWSON in her 2014 updated edition of Arthur F. KINNEY's 1973 book "Titled Elizabethans; A Directory of Elizabethan Court, State and Church Officers, 1558-1603," and published by Palgrave McMillan.
In her listing of Gentlewomen of the Bedchamber, we find, as the thirteenth entry:
"1558 - ca 1588. Margaret COMPAGNI, Mrs BAPTIST, m. John Baptist CASTILION."
I do not yet know whether this is the form in which her entry appears in either the Cofferer's Accounts or the Livery Clothing Grants (or other unidentified source), or whether Jane LAWSON has inserted additional details from other sources, as her prefatory notes suggest. In November 1558, Margaret was already Mrs CASTILION, but if she appears in the original lists under her maiden surname of COMPAGNI, it remains a possibility that she had commenced in Elizabeth's service before Elizabeth became Queen, and before Margaret had married Lazarus ALLEN. This possibility provides another way in which she met her second husband; and it also opens up speculation about the identity of her mother - it would suggest an outside chance that she was of gentle birth, rather than being one of Bartolomeo COMPAGNI's domestic servants.
However, as Margaret is not named in the list of Women of the Bedchamber who were in attendance at Elizabeth's coronation in January 1559, it is evident that she had probably not held any previous position in Elizabeth's household. Unless she was there as the wife of one of the Grooms?
A list of women who held positions in Queen Elizabeth's Court has been compiled by Jane A. LAWSON in her 2014 updated edition of Arthur F. KINNEY's 1973 book "Titled Elizabethans; A Directory of Elizabethan Court, State and Church Officers, 1558-1603," and published by Palgrave McMillan.
In her listing of Gentlewomen of the Bedchamber, we find, as the thirteenth entry:
"1558 - ca 1588. Margaret COMPAGNI, Mrs BAPTIST, m. John Baptist CASTILION."
I do not yet know whether this is the form in which her entry appears in either the Cofferer's Accounts or the Livery Clothing Grants (or other unidentified source), or whether Jane LAWSON has inserted additional details from other sources, as her prefatory notes suggest. In November 1558, Margaret was already Mrs CASTILION, but if she appears in the original lists under her maiden surname of COMPAGNI, it remains a possibility that she had commenced in Elizabeth's service before Elizabeth became Queen, and before Margaret had married Lazarus ALLEN. This possibility provides another way in which she met her second husband; and it also opens up speculation about the identity of her mother - it would suggest an outside chance that she was of gentle birth, rather than being one of Bartolomeo COMPAGNI's domestic servants.
However, as Margaret is not named in the list of Women of the Bedchamber who were in attendance at Elizabeth's coronation in January 1559, it is evident that she had probably not held any previous position in Elizabeth's household. Unless she was there as the wife of one of the Grooms?
Further down, on page 38, we find another list of the Mother of the Maids, with the following introduction:
"This post supervised the Maids of Honour. The Mother of the maids was usually a widow or a mature married woman..."
Sixth in the list was an entry identical to the above, but with different dates:
"1584 -1588. Margaret COMPAGNI, Mrs BAPTIST, m. John Baptist CASTILION."
"This post supervised the Maids of Honour. The Mother of the maids was usually a widow or a mature married woman..."
Sixth in the list was an entry identical to the above, but with different dates:
"1584 -1588. Margaret COMPAGNI, Mrs BAPTIST, m. John Baptist CASTILION."
More recently, C.I. MERTON has published (in 1992) a doctoral thesis entitled "Women who served Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth: Ladies, Gentlewomen and Maids of the Privy Chamber, 1553-1603," including a mention on page 35:
"A small minority of women who were connected with the Privy Chamber were at Court by virtue of their husband's posts: Margaret Baptist CASTILION was the wife of one of the Grooms of the Privy Chamber, John Baptist CASTILION. (19)
"Fn 19 - HMC Salisbury, II p. 319. Grant of fee-farm of manors of Snave, Kent, and Stapleford, Wiltshire. March 1579/80."
And on page 258, under heading of "Elizabeth," the list, including:
"Mrs Margaret Baptist CASTILION 1i 1567/8 (Soc Ant. MS 538)
1i 1577/8 (Soc Ant. MS 537)."
Giovanni and Margaret had issue:
1. Fraunciscus CASTELLION, baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, on 27 May 1561; served in the retinue of Robert DUDLEY, Queen Elizabeth's much favoured Earl of Leicester; a member of DUDLEY's household in the Netherlands; led DUDLEY's horse at his funeral:
Francis was heir to his father's estate of Benham Valence, Berkshire; M.A., Magdalen College, Oxon, 1581; M.P. for Great Bedwin; created Knight at Charterhouse, 11 May 1603; admitted to the Middle Temple, 14 August 1606; he was married firstly, at Norton, Hampshire, 16 September 1595, to Elizabeth ST JOHN (daughter of William ST JOHN of Farley, Southampton, by Barbara GORE); she died in childbirth, 28 December 1603, aged 27.
[Inscription on the wall inside St Mary's Church, Spene.]
Francis was married secondly, at St Matthew Friday Street, London, on 17 December 1606, to Alice CALTON, widow of John JAMES of London, and of William MARSHAM of Essex; she probably died in 1612.
Francis and Elizabeth had issue:
a. Barbara CASTILLION, born at Apeldorcombe, Isle of Wight, on 14 September 1597; married at Spene Church, on 4 May 1625, to Anthony SPIER of Holcombe Grange, Oxfordshire; he died in 1644; issue three daughters:
i. Margaret SPIER, the wife of William SELLON.
ii. Barbara SPIER.
iii. Mary SPIER, baptised at Spene Church, 20 June 1636.
b. Elizabeth CASTILLION, baptised at Spene Church, 28 August 1602; married at Spene Church, by Banns, 10 September 1635, to Nicholas LAMY, a French Physician, of Basingstoke; issue two daughters:
i. Elizabeth LAMY, baptised at Buxted, Sussex, 8 August 1641.
ii. Joan LAMY, baptised at Buxted, Sussex, 14 January 1643.
c. Thomas CASTILLION, baptised at Spene Church, 29 December 1603, the day after his mother's death; admitted Middle Temple, 1623; of Benham Valence; will dated February 1654, proved P.C.C., April 1656; he was married at Corsham, Wiltshire, 10 July 1632, to Elizabeth NELSON (daughter of Thomas NELSON of Chaddlesworth, Berkshire, by Mary DUCKETT); she was still living in July 1664; issue:
i. Francis CASTILLION, baptised at Spene, 28 August 1633; Middle Temple, 3 February 1656; Rector of Welton-le-Wold, Lincolnshire, 6 June 1663; Vicar of Louth, Lincolnshire, 1666; buried at Louth, 14 March 1667-68; married at St Mary's, Speen, 17 November 1656, to Margaret BARKER (daughter of Hugh BARKER, Doctor of Medicine, of Newbury, Berkshire, by Mary JONES); she died at Louth, Lincs, March 1712, aged 75; with issue - sons Thomas CASTILLION (1659-1687) and Francis CASTILLION (1665-1691), and a daughter Elizabeth CASTILLION (born at Welton-le-Wold, 1666; apprenticed in 1681 to Joseph STURT, Milliner; she married Charles HOLLOWAY, Citizen and Goldsmith of London; he died in 1700, with issue an only daughter Elizabeth HOLLOWAY surviving).
Margaret was married secondly, about July 1671, to Charles CRACROFT (he died at Louth, in September 1701, aged 70); with further issue.
ii. Thomas CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, on 24 or 26 August 1635, living 1664.
iii. Humphrey CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, on 1 November 1637; mentioned his brother John's will, July 1664; Citizen and Apothecary of London, will dated September 1664 and proved May 1669.
iv. Peter CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, on 17 February 1638-39; Vicar of Dinton, Wiltshire; named in his brother John's will, July 1664; he married Alice, with issue; she may have been the Mrs Alice CASTILLION buried at the Parish Church of St Andrew, Cobham, Surrey, on 29 January 1708-09, "...the mother of John CLARK's wife, at the George Inn" and at whose funeral was delivered a sermon.
v. John CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 14 March 1640-41; Merchant of London, when he made his will, dated 11 July 1664, mentioning his mother Elizabeth, and brothers Humphrey, Peter, Thomas, Valentine and Richard.
vi. Valentine CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 19 July 1646; mentioned in his brother John's will, July 1664; Citizen and Grocer of London; living 1679.
vii. Mary CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 27 December 1648; married in London, 26 February 1673, to Miles Arnold BLACK, with issue.
viii. Richard CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 28 February 1651; mentioned in his brother John's will, July 1664; Citizen and Distiller of London, will dated June 1679, proved July 1679.
i. Margaret SPIER, the wife of William SELLON.
ii. Barbara SPIER.
iii. Mary SPIER, baptised at Spene Church, 20 June 1636.
b. Elizabeth CASTILLION, baptised at Spene Church, 28 August 1602; married at Spene Church, by Banns, 10 September 1635, to Nicholas LAMY, a French Physician, of Basingstoke; issue two daughters:
i. Elizabeth LAMY, baptised at Buxted, Sussex, 8 August 1641.
ii. Joan LAMY, baptised at Buxted, Sussex, 14 January 1643.
c. Thomas CASTILLION, baptised at Spene Church, 29 December 1603, the day after his mother's death; admitted Middle Temple, 1623; of Benham Valence; will dated February 1654, proved P.C.C., April 1656; he was married at Corsham, Wiltshire, 10 July 1632, to Elizabeth NELSON (daughter of Thomas NELSON of Chaddlesworth, Berkshire, by Mary DUCKETT); she was still living in July 1664; issue:
i. Francis CASTILLION, baptised at Spene, 28 August 1633; Middle Temple, 3 February 1656; Rector of Welton-le-Wold, Lincolnshire, 6 June 1663; Vicar of Louth, Lincolnshire, 1666; buried at Louth, 14 March 1667-68; married at St Mary's, Speen, 17 November 1656, to Margaret BARKER (daughter of Hugh BARKER, Doctor of Medicine, of Newbury, Berkshire, by Mary JONES); she died at Louth, Lincs, March 1712, aged 75; with issue - sons Thomas CASTILLION (1659-1687) and Francis CASTILLION (1665-1691), and a daughter Elizabeth CASTILLION (born at Welton-le-Wold, 1666; apprenticed in 1681 to Joseph STURT, Milliner; she married Charles HOLLOWAY, Citizen and Goldsmith of London; he died in 1700, with issue an only daughter Elizabeth HOLLOWAY surviving).
Margaret was married secondly, about July 1671, to Charles CRACROFT (he died at Louth, in September 1701, aged 70); with further issue.
ii. Thomas CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, on 24 or 26 August 1635, living 1664.
iii. Humphrey CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, on 1 November 1637; mentioned his brother John's will, July 1664; Citizen and Apothecary of London, will dated September 1664 and proved May 1669.
iv. Peter CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, on 17 February 1638-39; Vicar of Dinton, Wiltshire; named in his brother John's will, July 1664; he married Alice, with issue; she may have been the Mrs Alice CASTILLION buried at the Parish Church of St Andrew, Cobham, Surrey, on 29 January 1708-09, "...the mother of John CLARK's wife, at the George Inn" and at whose funeral was delivered a sermon.
v. John CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 14 March 1640-41; Merchant of London, when he made his will, dated 11 July 1664, mentioning his mother Elizabeth, and brothers Humphrey, Peter, Thomas, Valentine and Richard.
vi. Valentine CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 19 July 1646; mentioned in his brother John's will, July 1664; Citizen and Grocer of London; living 1679.
vii. Mary CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 27 December 1648; married in London, 26 February 1673, to Miles Arnold BLACK, with issue.
viii. Richard CASTILLION, baptised at Chaddlesworth, 28 February 1651; mentioned in his brother John's will, July 1664; Citizen and Distiller of London, will dated June 1679, proved July 1679.
2. Katherina CASTELION, baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, 2 January 1563; buried at St Margaret's Westminster, 10 April 1581.
3. Valentini CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's, Westminster, 17 February 1565 - it is claimed, on the Folgerpedia web-site, citing "The Elizabethan Court, Day by Day" for the year 1565, that:
"Feb 17, Christening. Queen was godmother to Mr BAPTIST's child."
To which was added:
"Parents John Baptist CASTILION, a groom of the Privy Chamber; wife Margaret ALLEN, Widow, daughter of Bartholomew COMPAIGNE of Florence"
"Feb 17: St Margaret's Westminster; baptised Valentine CASTILION, a second son (1564-1641); marr (1607) Eleanor PRATT."
Further, and probably the source from which the above was abstracted, from Constance E.B. RYE, in her "Queen Elizabeth's Godchildren," [published in The Genealogist, New Series, Volume 2, 1885, at page 294], in a list totalling 102, in the "... official accounts of the Treasurer of the (Privy) Chamber... paide to diverse nurses and mid-wives by waye of her Majesties rewarde by thankes of diverse her gromes, gent. usshers of her Ma'ties Chambre at the times of the Christening of diverse chuildren to whom er Highness was Godmother...":
"18. Mr Baptist's child. (For the year ending) 29 September 1566. Reference F. No 1, m.67."
Valentine was admitted to Magdalen College, Oxon, November 1581; admitted to the Middle Temple, 13 October 1583, "...specially" and without fine, and bound with Messrs SANDES and C---; appointed on 14 February 1583-84 to the chamber of EVELEGH and SKINNER, in expectancy of (superceding) the latter, fine of 53s. 4d.; on 7 May 1584, Mr George CAREW replaced EVELEGH due to his forfeiture for "... discontinuance and being out of commons"; CASTILLION was himself superceded in the chamber by Mr William DAVYS, 29 November 1594.
Valentine went to Godalming, Surrey; he and his wife Mary levied, in 1627, "...a fine of the Godalming Rectory and a large acreage of land, etc, in Godalming, Guildford and Witley, and the tithes of corn, etc, in the parish of Godalming, to Lawrence HYDE, Esq, and others, presumably as trustees, for 60 years from the previous Lady Day" [Surrey Archaeological Collection, Volume XXII, 1909, "The Parsonage or Rectory Manor of Godalming," by Percy WOODS, page 121]; his will dated 16 September 1640; buried at the Parish church of Sts Peter and Paul, Godalming, 3 July 1641; will proved Archdeaconry Court of Surrey, 3 November 1641.
Valentine married firstly, Miss CALTON; he married secondly, at St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London, on 30 November 1607, Eleanor PYATT; she was buried at Gadalming, Surrey, 10 July 1616 [Parish Register]; he married thirdly, Mary, who survived as his widow; probably her will, dated 24 July 1649, proved P.C.C., 13 February 1649-50.
Valentine married firstly, Miss CALTON; he married secondly, at St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London, on 30 November 1607, Eleanor PYATT; she was buried at Gadalming, Surrey, 10 July 1616 [Parish Register]; he married thirdly, Mary, who survived as his widow; probably her will, dated 24 July 1649, proved P.C.C., 13 February 1649-50.
4. Elyzabethe CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's, 5 March 1566; died an infant.
5. Elizabethe CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's, 7 March 1567; married at St Margaret's, Westminster, on 30 November 1587, to Peter LEIGH of High Leigh, West Hall, Cheshire (son of Richard LEIGH by his first wife Clemence HOLCROFT) - this date matches an entry in the Accounts of the Treasurer of the Privy Council, as a Queen's Gift; with issue three sons and twelve daughters, including:
a. Richard LEIGH, died young.
b. Peter LEIGH, born on 5 December 1594, second son; died in 1657; married on 8 September 1614, to Mary TIPPING, with issue:
i. Peter LEIGH, b 30 April 1615, died unmarried.
ii. Richard LEIGH, died on 12 August 1670, s.p.
iii. Thomas LEIGH, of West Hall, High Leigh, buried on 22 June 1767; married in 1660, to Mary AUSTIN.
iv. Samuel LEIGH.
v. Edmund LEIGH.
vi. William LEIGH.
vii. James LEIGH.
viii; Elizabeth LEIGH.
c. Anne (II) LEIGH, born about 1606; married to Thomas COOPER of Ewborne.
d. Mary LEIGH.
i. Peter LEIGH, b 30 April 1615, died unmarried.
ii. Richard LEIGH, died on 12 August 1670, s.p.
iii. Thomas LEIGH, of West Hall, High Leigh, buried on 22 June 1767; married in 1660, to Mary AUSTIN.
iv. Samuel LEIGH.
v. Edmund LEIGH.
vi. William LEIGH.
vii. James LEIGH.
viii; Elizabeth LEIGH.
c. Anne (II) LEIGH, born about 1606; married to Thomas COOPER of Ewborne.
d. Mary LEIGH.
d. Elizabeth (II) LEIGH, born about 1612; married to Rev Nathaniel LANCASTER, Rector of Tarperley, Cheshire; he died on 9 January 1661; issue.
e. Frances LEIGH, born about 1614; married William EDWARDS of Chester.
f . Christian LEIGH; married Thomas BATE, M.D.
6. Anne CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's, 11 May 1568; married to Robert HYDE (died in 1642 - uncle of the 1st Earl of Clarendon, father-in-law of King James II and VII), of West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire, with issue six sons and four daughters, including:
a. Robert HYDE, eldest son.
b. Lawrence HYDE, second son.
c. Henry HYDE, third son.
d. Hamlet HYDE, fourth son.
e. Valentine HYDE.
f. Margaret HYDE.
g. Ann HYDE.
h Elizabeth HYDE, baptised at Salisbury Cathedral, 8 June 1595.
a. Robert HYDE, eldest son.
b. Lawrence HYDE, second son.
c. Henry HYDE, third son.
d. Hamlet HYDE, fourth son.
e. Valentine HYDE.
f. Margaret HYDE.
g. Ann HYDE.
h Elizabeth HYDE, baptised at Salisbury Cathedral, 8 June 1595.
7. Peter CASTYLYON, baptised at St Margaret's on 25 November 1569; a Captain in Queen Elizabeth's Army in Ireland, and possibly also in the service of Sir William FITZWILLIAM, Lord Deputy of Ireland; probably died at Moyry Pass, Ireland's "Gap of the North," 5 October 1600; married about 1595, to Thomasine PEYTON, daughter of Christopher PEYTON (he died in Dublin, 30 October 1612), Auditor in Ireland, by his first wife Anne PALMER; they had issue:
a. Peyton CASTILLION, born about 1596; went on an embassy to Venice, 1618, headed by his relation Sir Henry PEYTON, and carried with him a letter of introduction from his uncle, Sir Francis CASTILLION, dated at Whitehall, 23 April 1618, addressed to their relation Comte Baldassar CASTIGLIONE of Mantua, which Peyton probably delivered to him at Casatico; Peyton made his will on 2 February 1653, mentioning his loving wife Alice, to whom he bequeathed "... all my right and interest in one Annuity or yearly rent of 40 pounds... arising out of the rectory or parsonage of Godalming in the County of Surrey, whereof I am now possessed and doe enjoy by virtue of a feeoffment given and granted by my grandfather John Baptista CASTILLION unto my father Peter CASTILLION his sonne upon his marriage with Thomazin... [possible line omitted from the will copy into the Probate grant] PEYTON, Auditor generall for Ireland, as well for their present subsistence, and for her jointure, and to the issue of their two bodies and their wives and children in the same manner, by the power of which feeoffment my mother [did] enjoy the estate between 50 and 60 years after my ffather's death..."; Peyton was married firstly at Bayford, Hertfordshire, 2 September 1639, to Elizabeth GARLINGTON; she was buried at St Martin's Ludgate, 13 October 1649; Peyton was married secondly at Southampton, 12 February 1651, to Alice SOYN.
b. Catherine CASTILLION; the wife of Sir William GILBERT of Kiminchy, Queen's County.
[The old Abbey burial ground on Faughart Hill, on the side of which MOUNTJOY's army camped in September-October 1600; almost certainly where Captain Peter CASTILLION would have been buried if he died there on 5 October.]
Catherine GILBERT's daughter Anne GILBERT became the wife of Sir Robert's grandson and heir apparent, Robert PIGOTT (killed at Fort Maryborough, September 1646, the eldest son of Sir Robert's heir John PIGOTT of Dysart, by Martha COLCLOUGH - see his separate blog), and by him ancestor of the continuing line of PIGOTTs of Dysart, including Captain John PIGOTT of Antigua, Dublin and Stradbally (see his separate blog).
8. Walter Baptyste CASTILYON, baptised at St Margaret's on 24 December 1570; slain in Ireland, probably before 1597, in the service of Sir Richard BINGHAM.
9. Douglasse CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 3 June 1573; M.A. Oxon, 1599; Fellow of Magdalen College; Rector of Stratford Tony, Wiltshire, 1619; died on 18 January 1659; he was married at Salisbury CathedralCathedral, on 17 April 1611, to Margaret BOWER, with issue six sons and four daughters, including:
a. Richard CASTILLION, baptised at Stratford Toney, 27 December 1613; at Godalming, Surrey, 1697; married at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, 16 November 1635, to Katherine SPEIR; issue:
i. Douglas CASTILLION, baptised London, 1 September 1636; probably buried at Sts Peter and Paul, Godalming, 19 May 1707; married with issue.
ii. Katherine CASTILLION, baptised at Newington, Surrey, 18 June 1637; possibly the wife of Nicholas WILKINS.
iii. Richard CASTILLION, baptised at Godalming, 30 June 1642.
iv. Margaret CASTILLION, baptised at Godalming, 17 November 1647.
v. Rodolph CASTILLION, baptised at Godalming, 29 November 1648; married Frances, with issue.
vi. Elizabeth CASTILLION, baptised at Godalming, 29 June 1651; probably married at Godalming, 14 February 1675, John ELINGE.
vii. John CASTILLION, baptised at Godalming, 27 April 1657.
b. John CASTILLION, born about 1614; Christ Church College, Oxon; D.D., 1660; Dean of Rochester, 15 November 1676; died at Canterbury, 21 October 1688, and buried in Canterbury Cathedral (lower South Cross, with M.I.); married at St Mary Savoy, London, 27 November 1666, to Margaret DIGGES; she died at Canterbury, 21 July 1716, and buried with her husband, aged 80; issue:
i. Mary CASTILLION, baptised at Canterbury Cathedral, 16 September 1669.
ii. Thomas CASTILLION, baptised at Canterbury Cathedral, 2 November 1671.
c. Douglas CASTILLION, baptised at Stratford Tony, Wiltshire, 8 June 1624.
d. Peter CASTILLION, baptised at Stratford Tony, Wiltshire,21 May 1625.
e. Thomas CASTILLION, baptised at Stratford Tony, Wiltshire,7 August 1631.
f. Anne CASTILLION; married at Salisbury St Thomas, 6 May 1652, to Edward DRAKE of Colyton, Devonshire; issue:
i. Anne DRAKE, born on 20 March 1654, and baptised at Bletchingly, Surrey, 12 March 1655.
10. Barbara CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 16 September 1574; died on 24 August 1641, and was buried in Salisbury Cathedral; she was married at Wiltshire, on 7 June 1590, to Laurence HYDE of Heale House, near Salisbury, Councillor, Middle Temple (and a brother of Robert HYDE, his wife's brother-in-law); curiously, there is an entry in the records of the Treasurer of the Privy Council, dated (end) May 1592, for a Queen's Gift for this marriage; Robert died at Salisbury on 26 January 1641[?-42]; they had issue seventeen children, including:
a. Laurence HYDE, born at Salisbury on 10 November 1593; Magdalen College, Oxon, B.A. 1612; M.P. for Hindon, 1624, 1628; inherited Heale from his father, 1642; died on 3 December 1643; married firstly, on 1 December 1619, Amphillis TICHBORNE; she died on 24 February 1632; issue:
i. Robert HYDE; died before reaching his majority, whereupon Heale went to his uncle Robert HYDE.
ii. Amphillis HYDE; married Thomas CHAFIN, M.P.
iii. Helen HYDE; married Sir John LOWE, M.P.
Laurence married secondly, at Abbots Ann, Hampshire, on 24 April 1640, Katherine HYDE, daughter of Thomas HYDE; she died in 1661.
b. Robert HYDE, born at Salisbury, 24 February 1595; called to the Bar, Middle Temple, February 1617; Recorder of Salisbury, 1638; Sarjeant-at-Law, May 1640; M.P. for Salisbury in the long Parliament; inherited Heale from his nephew; joined King Charles at Oxford, and was deprived of his seat in Parliament, and of his recordership; restored by Charles II; Chief Justice of the King's Bench, October 1663; died on 2 August 1665; married to Mary BABER, daughter of Francis BABER of Chew Magna; s.p.
c. William HYDE, born at Salisbury on 17 January 1596; died on 24 March 1630.
d. Alexander HYDE, born at Salisbury on 30 April 1598; New College, Oxon; D.C.L., 1632; Rector of Wylye, Wiltshire, 1634; Sub-dean of Salisbury, 1637; a staunch Loyalist, and was deprived of his livings by Parliament under the Commonwealth; restored by Charles II; Dean of Winchester, 1660; Bishop of Salisbury, December 1665; died in London on 22 August 1667; married to Mary TOUNSON; with issue:
i. Laurence HYDE, born at Wylye, Wiltshire, 12 October 1641.
ii. Margaret HYDE, born at Wylye, 26 May 1649.
ii. Robert HYDE, born at Wylye, 10 October 1650.
iii. Barbara HYDE, born at Wylye, 20 November 1651.
iv. Anne HYDE.
v. Mary HYDE.
e. Celina HYDE., born at Salisbury, 1599; died in 1599.
f. Barbara HYDE, born at Salisbury, 1603; died in 1608.
g. Margaret HYDE, born at Salisbury, 1605.
h. Henry HYDE, born at Salisbury, 12 May 1606; a Royalist Merchant and Consul to Turkey; selected by Charles in exile as his envoy to Turkey, but was arrested under pressure from the Parliamentarian Ambassador there, and sent back to England, where he was tried on a charge of treason; executed at Cornhill, London, on 4 March 1650.
j. Edward HYDE, born at Salisbury, 16 May 1607; D.D.; Rector of Brightwell, Berkshire; died on 20 October 1661; married to Anne LAMBERT; issue:
i. Margaret HYDE; married to William HEARST.
ii. Ann HYDE; married 11 July 1661, to Richard COLMAN (born about 1633, son of Sir Edward COLMAN of Brent Eleigh Hall, Suffolk, by his wife Dionise HALE); Trinity College, Cantab, 1648; Lincoln's Inn, 1650; called to the Bar, 1657; he was M.P. for Salisbury, 1665-1672; he died on 13 October 1672, aged 40, and was buried at Brent Eleigh; issue - four sons and one daughter.
k. Hamlett HYDE, born at Salisbury, 1610.
l. Nicholas HYDE, born at Salisbury, 20 April 1611.
m. Frederick HYDE, born at Salisbury, 20 July 1614; died in 1677
n. James HYDE, born at Salisbury, 15 May 1617; died on 7 May 1681.
p. Charles HYDE, born at Salisbury, 24 April 1619; died in 1619.
11. Selina CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 29 January 1576; married to Robert CHENEY of West Woodhey, Berkshire (son of Thomas CHENEY of Woodhey, Berkshire, by his second wife Ann SCOTT of Mote, County Sussex); they had issue (as named in the 1632 "Visitations of Berkshire"):
a. Henry CHENEY.
b. John CHENEY.
c. Barbara CHENEY.
d. Mary CHENEY.
12. Henry Baptiste CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 25 January 1580; of Lindhurst, Surrey, will proved P.C.C., 19 November 1646; married to Margaret CASTILLION; she survived him and proved his will as the relict; they had issue:
a. Henry CASTILLION.
b. Elizabeth CASTILLION.
d. (daughter); married POCOCKE, with issue:
i. John POCOCKE; named in his grandfather's will, 1646.
e. (daughter); perhaps Elizabeth above; married to Edward BRIGHT; he witnessed his father-in-law's will, 1646.
GIOVANNI'S DEATH AND BURIAL.
John Baptist CASTILLION died on 12 February 1597-98, perhaps in London, and was buried 17 March inside the Parish Church of St Mary, Spene, near Newbury, Berkshire.
His burial was attended by his son and heir Francis CASTILLION as chief mourner; sons Valentine and Douglas (who bore the penant) CASTILLION and John LEIGH as assistant mourners; Dr HARDING the preacher; William CAMDEN, Clarenceaux, bearing the Coat-of-Arms; and Samuel THOMPSON, Portcullis, bearing the Helmet and Crest.
He was laid to rest in the family aisle, under an ornate altar tomb in the Italianate style of architecture, on which still lies his recumbent life-sized effigy, represented in armour, with a vest of chain mail under, hands pressed together in devotional attitude, his head resting on his helmet, ornamented with medallions bearing the Rose en Soleil, and the feet on his mutilated crest - A salamander's head Vert, issuing from flames and breathing flames, all Proper.
On the ledge of the tomb is inscribed -"Hic jacet Jo Baptist CASTILLION Armiger Quondam Dominus de Benham in Comitatu Berk Qui obiit Xii Febr A Dni 1597." Around the side of the tomb are the family Coats-of-Arms and impalements of CASTIGLIONE:CAMPAGNI and their issue.
No will for Giovanni has yet been located in English records.
Giovanni's ornate tomb has since been relocated, and now stands adjacent to the south wall of the 1859 enlargement of the original church (see photo above), which was built annexed to the southern side; this area has now been set apart for use as a meeting and small concert area; the now smaller congregation being catered for back in the original part of the church, due east of the spire.
The full version of Sir Francis CASTILLION's proposed epitaph, written by another hand, is as follows:
CASTIGLIONE ORIGINS IN ITALY - OLONA IN VARESE, LOMBARDIA.
Giovanni's ancestral origins take him back to the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne (742-814), whose gtx4-grandson was Corrado (or Conrad), the son of Berenguar II (joint King of Italy, 950-961) by his wife Willa (daughter of Boso, Marchese di Toscana and Count of Arles).
Corrado was the 1st Lord of Castiglione, and established his seat at Olona, about 1000; this fortified dwelling overlooked the Olona River, about 18 km S.S.W of Como, and just to the south of the present town of Castiglione Olona.
The estate was destoyed by Ottone VISCONTI in 1280, when Corrado's gtx4 grandson Guido (II) was in occupation, his father Corrado (II) having died in that same year.
It was not rebuilt again until the early 1400s, by Cristoforo CASTIGLIONE (1345-1425).
The site is still occupied by a stately dwelling, but which probably dates from the early 16th century, rather than being the 1430 reconstruction, although some original work may exist behind the facade.
[Palazzo Branda CASTIGLIONI in Castiglione-Olona.
Image courtesy of the www.comune.castiglione-olona.va.it web-site.]
CASATICO, NEAR MANTOVA, LOMBARDIA.
Cristoforo CASTIGLIONE was a renowned lawyer in Milano and Parma; he was married to Antonia di BAGGI, and by her had a son Baldassar CASTIGLIONE, born on 14 January 1414, and died in 1478, having married Pollisena LISCA, and by her dowry purchased an extensive estate at Casatico, about 19 km due west of Mantua, where he constructed another stately CASTIGLIONE mansion, most of which still exists today.
GASSINO, NEAR TORINO, PIEMONTE.
Baldassar and Polissena had a younger son Baldassare (II) CASTIGLIONE, who was father, by his wife Katherina (daughter of the Marchese di Malaspina) of Piero CASTIGLIONE, a Captain in the Army of Maximillian, Holy Roman Emperor, and who established himself at Castiglione Alto, near Gassino, in Piemonte, where our Giovanni Battista was probably born, about 1516.
i. Anne DRAKE, born on 20 March 1654, and baptised at Bletchingly, Surrey, 12 March 1655.
10. Barbara CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 16 September 1574; died on 24 August 1641, and was buried in Salisbury Cathedral; she was married at Wiltshire, on 7 June 1590, to Laurence HYDE of Heale House, near Salisbury, Councillor, Middle Temple (and a brother of Robert HYDE, his wife's brother-in-law); curiously, there is an entry in the records of the Treasurer of the Privy Council, dated (end) May 1592, for a Queen's Gift for this marriage; Robert died at Salisbury on 26 January 1641[?-42]; they had issue seventeen children, including:
a. Laurence HYDE, born at Salisbury on 10 November 1593; Magdalen College, Oxon, B.A. 1612; M.P. for Hindon, 1624, 1628; inherited Heale from his father, 1642; died on 3 December 1643; married firstly, on 1 December 1619, Amphillis TICHBORNE; she died on 24 February 1632; issue:
i. Robert HYDE; died before reaching his majority, whereupon Heale went to his uncle Robert HYDE.
ii. Amphillis HYDE; married Thomas CHAFIN, M.P.
iii. Helen HYDE; married Sir John LOWE, M.P.
Laurence married secondly, at Abbots Ann, Hampshire, on 24 April 1640, Katherine HYDE, daughter of Thomas HYDE; she died in 1661.
b. Robert HYDE, born at Salisbury, 24 February 1595; called to the Bar, Middle Temple, February 1617; Recorder of Salisbury, 1638; Sarjeant-at-Law, May 1640; M.P. for Salisbury in the long Parliament; inherited Heale from his nephew; joined King Charles at Oxford, and was deprived of his seat in Parliament, and of his recordership; restored by Charles II; Chief Justice of the King's Bench, October 1663; died on 2 August 1665; married to Mary BABER, daughter of Francis BABER of Chew Magna; s.p.
c. William HYDE, born at Salisbury on 17 January 1596; died on 24 March 1630.
d. Alexander HYDE, born at Salisbury on 30 April 1598; New College, Oxon; D.C.L., 1632; Rector of Wylye, Wiltshire, 1634; Sub-dean of Salisbury, 1637; a staunch Loyalist, and was deprived of his livings by Parliament under the Commonwealth; restored by Charles II; Dean of Winchester, 1660; Bishop of Salisbury, December 1665; died in London on 22 August 1667; married to Mary TOUNSON; with issue:
i. Laurence HYDE, born at Wylye, Wiltshire, 12 October 1641.
ii. Margaret HYDE, born at Wylye, 26 May 1649.
ii. Robert HYDE, born at Wylye, 10 October 1650.
iii. Barbara HYDE, born at Wylye, 20 November 1651.
iv. Anne HYDE.
v. Mary HYDE.
e. Celina HYDE., born at Salisbury, 1599; died in 1599.
f. Barbara HYDE, born at Salisbury, 1603; died in 1608.
g. Margaret HYDE, born at Salisbury, 1605.
h. Henry HYDE, born at Salisbury, 12 May 1606; a Royalist Merchant and Consul to Turkey; selected by Charles in exile as his envoy to Turkey, but was arrested under pressure from the Parliamentarian Ambassador there, and sent back to England, where he was tried on a charge of treason; executed at Cornhill, London, on 4 March 1650.
j. Edward HYDE, born at Salisbury, 16 May 1607; D.D.; Rector of Brightwell, Berkshire; died on 20 October 1661; married to Anne LAMBERT; issue:
i. Margaret HYDE; married to William HEARST.
ii. Ann HYDE; married 11 July 1661, to Richard COLMAN (born about 1633, son of Sir Edward COLMAN of Brent Eleigh Hall, Suffolk, by his wife Dionise HALE); Trinity College, Cantab, 1648; Lincoln's Inn, 1650; called to the Bar, 1657; he was M.P. for Salisbury, 1665-1672; he died on 13 October 1672, aged 40, and was buried at Brent Eleigh; issue - four sons and one daughter.
k. Hamlett HYDE, born at Salisbury, 1610.
l. Nicholas HYDE, born at Salisbury, 20 April 1611.
m. Frederick HYDE, born at Salisbury, 20 July 1614; died in 1677
n. James HYDE, born at Salisbury, 15 May 1617; died on 7 May 1681.
p. Charles HYDE, born at Salisbury, 24 April 1619; died in 1619.
11. Selina CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 29 January 1576; married to Robert CHENEY of West Woodhey, Berkshire (son of Thomas CHENEY of Woodhey, Berkshire, by his second wife Ann SCOTT of Mote, County Sussex); they had issue (as named in the 1632 "Visitations of Berkshire"):
a. Henry CHENEY.
b. John CHENEY.
c. Barbara CHENEY.
d. Mary CHENEY.
12. Henry Baptiste CASTILION, baptised at St Margaret's on 25 January 1580; of Lindhurst, Surrey, will proved P.C.C., 19 November 1646; married to Margaret CASTILLION; she survived him and proved his will as the relict; they had issue:
a. Henry CASTILLION.
b. Elizabeth CASTILLION.
d. (daughter); married POCOCKE, with issue:
i. John POCOCKE; named in his grandfather's will, 1646.
e. (daughter); perhaps Elizabeth above; married to Edward BRIGHT; he witnessed his father-in-law's will, 1646.
______________________________________________________________
GIOVANNI'S DEATH AND BURIAL.
John Baptist CASTILLION died on 12 February 1597-98, perhaps in London, and was buried 17 March inside the Parish Church of St Mary, Spene, near Newbury, Berkshire.
His burial was attended by his son and heir Francis CASTILLION as chief mourner; sons Valentine and Douglas (who bore the penant) CASTILLION and John LEIGH as assistant mourners; Dr HARDING the preacher; William CAMDEN, Clarenceaux, bearing the Coat-of-Arms; and Samuel THOMPSON, Portcullis, bearing the Helmet and Crest.
He was laid to rest in the family aisle, under an ornate altar tomb in the Italianate style of architecture, on which still lies his recumbent life-sized effigy, represented in armour, with a vest of chain mail under, hands pressed together in devotional attitude, his head resting on his helmet, ornamented with medallions bearing the Rose en Soleil, and the feet on his mutilated crest - A salamander's head Vert, issuing from flames and breathing flames, all Proper.
On the ledge of the tomb is inscribed -"Hic jacet Jo Baptist CASTILLION Armiger Quondam Dominus de Benham in Comitatu Berk Qui obiit Xii Febr A Dni 1597." Around the side of the tomb are the family Coats-of-Arms and impalements of CASTIGLIONE:CAMPAGNI and their issue.
No will for Giovanni has yet been located in English records.
Giovanni's ornate tomb has since been relocated, and now stands adjacent to the south wall of the 1859 enlargement of the original church (see photo above), which was built annexed to the southern side; this area has now been set apart for use as a meeting and small concert area; the now smaller congregation being catered for back in the original part of the church, due east of the spire.
[Image courtesy of Peter ORR and the www.achurchnearyou.com web-site.]
The full version of Sir Francis CASTILLION's proposed epitaph, written by another hand, is as follows:
"In this monument resteth Baptist CASTILLION, Esquier, who was in the Warres at Landerse; then served Henry 8, at Bullen, Captayne of Foote. Being there recommended by some about the King, was sent over with letters unto the Private Counsail in England; to preferre him unto the Lady Elizabeth's Grace, daughter unto King Henry the 8th, chiefly to read the Italian, being then 13 years of age.
"But in the first of Queene Marie, for trusty service then done by him, touching her Grace's safety, then a prisoner, he was committed close Prisoner to the Tower of London. And being twice out of Prison a few weeks, the Lady Elizabeth writ letters secretly unto him, all of her owne hand; to give unto the French Ambassador and King Phillip's Confessor at Whitehall; with other her letters, late in the night, about her Grace's troubles, whereof he was strictly examined in the Tower, by Bishop GARDENER, then Lord Chancellor; suffered on the Racke to confess his trust therein, being Lame thereof; but would make no confession, whereby the Lady Elizabeth may come in any danger; being wrongfully accused about WYATT's Rebellion, as the Chronicles maketh mention!
"But Queen Marie being dead and the Lady Elizabeth coming to the Crowne; he was presently sent for out of the Tower of London, being then a Prisoner, and came to Court, then at Whitehall; where he waws sworn of her Majesty's Private Chamber; and gave him the Manor of Benham Valence in the county of Berkshire, and many other great gifts; sufficient to beare the honour of a Baron, if he had made the right use of these Princely gifts.
"He served her Majesty over 40 years, in her private Chamber, and in very great favour, especially for his great and trusty service, before mentioned. And being her Grace's servant, and in those dangerous times, would have stisfied himself, than have suffered so noble a Princess so wrongfully to be accused, and thereby to be in great danger for her life.
"But it was very true, that her Majesty, after she came to the Crowne, was no way desirous to have things mentioned, or divulged by him; whereby must be plainly discovered, how the King Philip, did greatly favour her cause; being wrongfully imprisoned; and also the French King's Ambassador, secretly sent with her Grace's letters, about her troubles, as before is specified.
"He was born in Italie, in the Dukedom of Mantua; descended of that noble family, the Count of CASTILLION. This was his most worthy life. He lived to the age of 82 years; and lieth here, under this monumnet; and was made by his eldest sonne Sir Francis CASTILLION, Knt.
"This inscription was dated this 24th of September, 1631."
[Francis CASTILLION, his Letterbook - Osborne Shelves, Beinecke Rare Book and MS Library, Yale University.]
[Francis CASTILLION, his Letterbook - Osborne Shelves, Beinecke Rare Book and MS Library, Yale University.]
[Photo taken by the author in 2010.]
The epitaph was never posted on his tomb.
In 2016, I became aware of the existence of an Italian biography of Giovanni, written by Maria Grazia BELLORINI, entitled "Giovan Battista CASTIGLIONE consigliere di Elizabetta I," in contributi dell'instituto di filologia moderna, Serie Inglese, ed Sergio ROSSI (Milan, Vita e pensiero, 1974, 113-141).
I have not yet seen a copy of this biography. It would not surprise me if his entry in the Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (Volume 22), attributed to Massimo FIRPO, was derived from this earlier Italian language source. This Italian language biography records that Giovanni was imprisoned in the Tower in May-June 1556, and not released until after the death of Queen Mary - which, as noted above, seems unlikely, given that he was at liberty in February 1558 when he was married in the Parish Church of St Christopher-le-Stocks. It further states that CASTIGLIONE may have gone on a diplomatic mission to Pavia in 1563 (as mentioned in a letter to Minister CECIL from an informant); and that he visited Antwerp in 1565, in connection with the supply of weapons for the English Army on behalf of the Duke of Leicester (see above).
SOME OLD CASTIGLIONE CORRESPONDENCE.
Giovanni's eldest son and heir,Sir Francis CASTILLION, kept a letter book, which is now in the holdings of the Bienecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.
One of the letters is a copy of one written by his father Giovanni in March 1581, addressed to the Duke of Savoy, some 20 years before he was married to Margaret of Austria:
Another is purported to be a letter under the hand of Queen Elizabeth:
Another is from Francis CASTILION, dated July 1609, and addressed to his supposed relation, Count Baldassare CASTIGLIONE in Mantua, and his reply of December 1610:
My Italian is essentially non-existent. Assistance with old handwriting and possible old Italian (Lombardy) dialect would be most welcomed.
______________________________________________________________
In 2016, I became aware of the existence of an Italian biography of Giovanni, written by Maria Grazia BELLORINI, entitled "Giovan Battista CASTIGLIONE consigliere di Elizabetta I," in contributi dell'instituto di filologia moderna, Serie Inglese, ed Sergio ROSSI (Milan, Vita e pensiero, 1974, 113-141).
I have not yet seen a copy of this biography. It would not surprise me if his entry in the Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (Volume 22), attributed to Massimo FIRPO, was derived from this earlier Italian language source. This Italian language biography records that Giovanni was imprisoned in the Tower in May-June 1556, and not released until after the death of Queen Mary - which, as noted above, seems unlikely, given that he was at liberty in February 1558 when he was married in the Parish Church of St Christopher-le-Stocks. It further states that CASTIGLIONE may have gone on a diplomatic mission to Pavia in 1563 (as mentioned in a letter to Minister CECIL from an informant); and that he visited Antwerp in 1565, in connection with the supply of weapons for the English Army on behalf of the Duke of Leicester (see above).
______________________________________________________________
SOME OLD CASTIGLIONE CORRESPONDENCE.
Giovanni's eldest son and heir,Sir Francis CASTILLION, kept a letter book, which is now in the holdings of the Bienecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.
One of the letters is a copy of one written by his father Giovanni in March 1581, addressed to the Duke of Savoy, some 20 years before he was married to Margaret of Austria:
Another is purported to be a letter under the hand of Queen Elizabeth:
Another is from Francis CASTILION, dated July 1609, and addressed to his supposed relation, Count Baldassare CASTIGLIONE in Mantua, and his reply of December 1610:
My Italian is essentially non-existent. Assistance with old handwriting and possible old Italian (Lombardy) dialect would be most welcomed.
___________________________________________________________________
CASTIGLIONE ORIGINS IN ITALY - OLONA IN VARESE, LOMBARDIA.
Giovanni's ancestral origins take him back to the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne (742-814), whose gtx4-grandson was Corrado (or Conrad), the son of Berenguar II (joint King of Italy, 950-961) by his wife Willa (daughter of Boso, Marchese di Toscana and Count of Arles).
Corrado was the 1st Lord of Castiglione, and established his seat at Olona, about 1000; this fortified dwelling overlooked the Olona River, about 18 km S.S.W of Como, and just to the south of the present town of Castiglione Olona.
The estate was destoyed by Ottone VISCONTI in 1280, when Corrado's gtx4 grandson Guido (II) was in occupation, his father Corrado (II) having died in that same year.
It was not rebuilt again until the early 1400s, by Cristoforo CASTIGLIONE (1345-1425).
[The CASTIGLIONE estate at Olona, front or eastern elevation, looking S.W. Photo taken in 2002.]
[Front entrance to the Olona Estate, in the centre of the eastern facade.]
The site is still occupied by a stately dwelling, but which probably dates from the early 16th century, rather than being the 1430 reconstruction, although some original work may exist behind the facade.
[Palazzo Branda CASTIGLIONI in Castiglione-Olona.
Image courtesy of the www.comune.castiglione-olona.va.it web-site.]
CASATICO, NEAR MANTOVA, LOMBARDIA.
Cristoforo CASTIGLIONE was a renowned lawyer in Milano and Parma; he was married to Antonia di BAGGI, and by her had a son Baldassar CASTIGLIONE, born on 14 January 1414, and died in 1478, having married Pollisena LISCA, and by her dowry purchased an extensive estate at Casatico, about 19 km due west of Mantua, where he constructed another stately CASTIGLIONE mansion, most of which still exists today.
[A view of the south side of the CASTIGLIONE estate at Casatico, looking towards the N.E. Photo taken in 2002.]
[Detail above the front entrance to the Casatico Estate, in the the western facade.]
[Four studies of Casatico, by OSOLEMIO (top 2), Massimo GHIRARDI and Roberto TOMEO.
Images courtesy of Google Earth, I.D. #s 1554265, 15545168, 23351796 and 42417485.]
GASSINO, NEAR TORINO, PIEMONTE.
Baldassar and Polissena had a younger son Baldassare (II) CASTIGLIONE, who was father, by his wife Katherina (daughter of the Marchese di Malaspina) of Piero CASTIGLIONE, a Captain in the Army of Maximillian, Holy Roman Emperor, and who established himself at Castiglione Alto, near Gassino, in Piemonte, where our Giovanni Battista was probably born, about 1516.
[Part of an "original" fortification remaining below the modern mansion, rebuilt on the Castiglione Alto site, overlooking the Po River Valley, just west of Gassino. Photo taken 2002.]
[Detail of Castiglione Alto, showing terra-cotta Coat-of-Arms inset into "renovated" masonry, possibly original, now housing a "modern" garage under the new mansion above.]
_________________________________________________________________________________
Giovanni was my gtx10 grandfather.
11 comments:
Giovanni is also my 10th Great Grandfather!
Best Regards,
Michael Cotton
Sparta, NJ
Very informative notes for historians - useful to have all this research collected together in one place
Peter, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Thank you for your research! It has been helpful in my work writing about the Letter Book you refer to written by his son in the Beinecke Library at Yale.
Excellent sharing !!!
Really informative and helpful blog.
I am going to use this for my paraphrasing service uk
Thank you...
Great read. He is my 12xGT Grandfather through his son Peter! Wonderful history..
This is a most interesting posting. May I point out one little mistake?
"But it does appear likely that Thomas ASTLEY would have held superiority over CASTILLION. Despite not having served in Elizabeth's court before (he absented himself in exile in Europe during Mary's Reign), ASTLEY was by now married to Katherine CHAMPERNOWNE, an old and faithful servant of Elizabeth, having been her former Governess (1536) and partly responsible for her early education - and his brother John ASTLEY was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and Master of the Jewel House in 1558. And he was English!"
It was John Astley (d. 1596), Master of the Jewel House and one of only two men ever made a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber under Elizabeth I (the other one being Christopher Hatton) who was married to Katherine Champernowne, not his brother Thomas.
My 11th great grandfather through the Hyde family. Fascinating reading.
I've recently found this blog and am so very grateful you have done the work; I am researching for a friend who is also descended through the Hyde family.
Excellent piece of work. I am also descended through the Hyde family. Have been fascinated by Queen Elizabeth 1 most of my life. Now I know why! Giovanni’s devoted service to his Queen passed down In the blood. My DNA also revealed Italian ancestry in Florence, Italy.
Sincerely,
Dianne Sullivan
Austin, Texas
Me too we are the only Australian descendants of Hyde’s from that line. 12th ggmother descendants from Barbara. Thanks for this
He is my 13x grt grandfather through the leigh castilion line and I am from nz. This was really interesting to read very well researched I will definitely be studying this more in depth. Thank you for sharing.
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