Andrew Stratford


Andrew Stratford, also known as Andrew de Stratford and Andrew de Strelford, was a medieval English landowner and verderer of the House of Stratford.

Personal life and family

Andrew was born into the House of Stratford around the beginning of the fourteenth century, a relation of Archbishop of Canterbury John de Stratford and his brother Robert Stratford. He was an associate of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. He married a women called Christine, and they had a son and through him at least two grandchildren. When Robert died prematurely, some time before 1392, Joan was sent to Romsey Abbey, becoming a nun on 19 September 1400, and his Grandson John became a ward of the king, later inheriting his grandfather's lands. His descendants continued into the modern day, and can still be found in parts of Hampshire.

Career

Church Clerk

Prior to 1362 he was rector of the church of Gosberton, Lincolnshire, but exchanged it with Phillip de weston for the prebendary of Langtoft, which he held from 1362-1363. Throughout his life he held numerous church offices, including Canon of York, though he never progressed to the clergy; it is likely Stratford's comfortable career as a clerk in the church was aided by his influential ecclesiastical relatives, and his friendship with the powerful William of Wykeham.

Verderer and landowner

In later life he became a significant landowner in Hampshire and Wiltshire, as well as an active member of the communities, often loaning money to local businessmen and legally witnessing matters relating to land and property. He held land called ‘Haresmede’ in the northern part of South Baddesley in the New Forest, and acted as Verderer in the forest of "Claryndon" in Wiltshire until his death. He also held land in Vernhams Dean in the county of Hampshire, alongside land in Chute, Whelpley, Cowesfield, Alderstone and Winterbourne, in the county of Wiltshire. These passed on to his son Robert and, when he came of age, to his grandson John.

Death

Stratford died on 30 November 1378, his widow Christine dying 31 July 1396. Their son Robert died around the late 1380s, at which time his grandson John became ward of the king, and his granddaughter Joan was sent to Romsey Abbey, where she became a nun in 1399.