George Delves

Sir George Delves (born c. 1545, living 1602) was a knight, military commander, and member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Between the 1st and the 3 May 1571, Delves was one of the defenders in a tournament before the Queen at which one of the challengers was the Earl of Oxford. On 24 June, Delves wrote to the Earl of Rutland "There is no man of life and agility in every respect in the Court but the Earl of Oxford".[1]

Portrait of George Delves and a Female Companion - English School, 1577

In 1578, Delves and Sir William Fitzwilliam were appointed by letters patent as alnagers and collectors of customs duties on the transport of 'New Draperies', a potentially profitable position which was to be held for seven years.[2] In the event, they held their patent for a great deal longer, the actual work being done by deputies.[3]

Delves married Christian, a daughter of Sir William FitzWilliam, of Northamptonshire, the widow of Sir Richard Wingfield, who had died by June 1559.[4] He thus became the step-father of Christian's sons Richard, later first Viscount Powerscourt, and John Wingfield.[5]

On 8 March 1582/83, Delves married secondly Anne Esley, or Isley, of Westminster.[6] She brought to the marriage an estate at Bredgar, Kent.[7]

He was knighted on 4 April 1591 by FitzWilliam, Lord Deputy of Ireland.[8]

In 1602, he was one of the justices for the Quarter Sessions of Kent held at Maidstone.[9]

Arms

Delves's arms are blazoned: "Argent a chevron gules fretty or between three delves sable.[10]

Notes
  1. Alan H. Nelson, Monstrous Adversary: the life of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (2003), p. 70
  2. Carole Rawcliffe, Richard Wilson, Christine Clark, Norwich since 1550 (2004), p. 43
  3. Harry Hearder, ed. British government and administration: studies presented to S. B. Chrimes (University of Wales Press, 1974), p. 126
  4. Arthur Collins, Collins's Peerage of England, vol. 4, p. 392
  5. The Irish compendium or rudiments of honour (1756), p. 422
  6. Joseph Lemuel Chester, Allegations for marriage licences issued by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, 1558-1699, (Harleian Society, 1886), p. 8: "George Delves, of Westminster, Esq., & Anne Esley, of same, Spinster. 1583
  7. Karen Hearn, Dynasties: painting in Tudor and Jacobean England, 1530-1630 (1996), p. 106
  8. William A. Shaw, The Knights of England: A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day, p. 88: "1591, 4 Apr.. GEORGE DELVES (dubbed in Ireland on Easter day by the lord deputy)"
  9. Quarter Sessions at Maidstone, 13 April 1602: Q/SR/3/m.4d
  10. Archaeologia cantiana, vol. 58 (Kent Archaeological Society, 1946), p. 22
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