(528) Bedingfield of Fleming's Hall and Ditchingham Hall

Bedingfield of Bedingfield and Ditchingham 

This family are descended from the Bedingfields of Bedingfield Hall (also the progenitors of the Paston-Bedingfields of Oxburgh Hall (Norfk), who became one of the leading Recusant families in East Anglia), while this branch of the family conformed to the Protestant religion. The surname was spelled in a bewildering variety of ways in the medieval an early modern period (Bedyngfeld, Bedingfeld, Bedinfield, Beinfielde etc.); the later standard form Bedingfield has been used in this account. The genealogy below begins with James Bedingfield (d. 1435), the second son of Sir Peter de Bedingfield (d. 1370). He married the heiress of the Fleming family of Bedingfield and thus came into the possession of Flemings Hall, which was retained by his descendants until 1934, although apparently seldom occupied by members of the family after 1635. As a young man, James Bedingfield played a leading part in the complex and chaotic uprising known as the 'Peasants' Revolt' of 1381. The revolt, which seems to have been an expression of grievances held by many different groups and classes within society, provided cover for a great deal of looting, blackmail and the settling of old scores, although in eastern Suffolk, where James Bedingfield was active, there were fewer instances of arson and outright murder than in the west of the county. After the collapse of the revolt, James was tried and imprisoned for eight years, before being pardoned by King Richard II. His successors seem to have held the Flemings Hall estate more peaceably, and his great-grandson, Thomas Bedingfield (d. c.1515), married Joan, daughter and heiress of Roger Bozard of Ditchingham (Norfolk), and thus acquired Ditchingham Hall, which came into his possession in 1505. Thomas' son, Philip Bedingfield (c.1483-1542) had five sons and five daughters, and divided his estates between his sons Thomas and Robert. Robert Bedingfield (c.1527-1600), who was a lawyer and served as clerk of the peace for Norfolk,  inherited Ditchingham and in 1559 bought the adjoining manor of Hedenham from the Heydon family. Robert Bedingfield outlived his only son, Henry Bedingfield (c.1567-95) and so at his death in 1600, Ditchingham and Hedenham passed to Henry's son, Philip (1594-1622), who came of age in 1615 and was knighted in 1618. He married but had no children, so on his death Ditchingham passed back to the senior line of the family.

Thomas Bedingfield (c.1519-71) had inherited Flemings Hall from his father Philip in 1542. His heir was his son, Thomas Bedingfield (1553-1636), who was educated at Cambridge and Lincoln's Inn and played a greater part in public affairs than his predecessors, being a barrister, MP for Eye, 1586-88, and steward of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in East Anglia.

Darsham Old Hall: the surviving fragment of the Bedingfields' house.

He married a daughter of John Southwell of Darsham, and subsequently acquired Darsham Old Hall, although it seems he purchased it from the Southwell family in 1611 rather than inheriting it. Thomas had a very large family, and like his grandfather, he divided his estates between his elder sons, with Philip Bedingfield (1589-1660) receiving Flemings Hall as well as inheriting the Ditchingham estate from his kinsman, Sir Philip; and Sir Thomas Bedingfield (1593-1661), kt., a prominent lawyer, inheriting Darsham (which subsequently passed through the female line to the Earls of Stradbroke). Both Philip and Sir Thomas were supporters of the Parliamentarian cause in the Civil War, although Sir Thomas evidently felt that the execution of King Charles I was a step too far, and refused to serve as a judge under the new regime.

The Bedingfields had been closely associated with the much grander Bacon family over several generations, and Philip Bedingfield (1589-1660) married Anne, the daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, kt., of Shrubland Hall (Suffk). Further intermarriage between the two families in the next generation strengthened the ties, and it was perhaps Bacon influence which led to Philip's election as MP for Norfolk in 1654. When he died in 1660, the Flemings Hall and Ditchingham estates passed to his eldest surviving son, Philip Bedingfield (1620-73), and then to the latter's son, Philip (1655-96), who died young, leaving a large family, the eldest of whom to survive to adulthood was his sixth child and fourth son, the Rev. John Bedingfield (1683-1729), who was appointed to the family livings as rector of Hedenham and vicar of Bedingfield. It was John who seems to have built the present Ditchingham Hall, on which work may have begun soon after John took up his duties as rector of Hedenham in 1708. It seems likely that his mother, Elizabeth Bedingfield (d. 1724), who had shepherded the estate through the long minority of her son after her husband's death, also played a part in commissioning the new house.

The Rev. John Bedingfield had no children, so at his death in 1729 the estate passed to his next brother, James Bedingfield (1684-1765), a London vintner. His only surviving child, Philip Bedingfield (1716-91) again took his first wife from the Bacon family, but after she died in 1757 he married the twice-widowed heiress of a Norwich merchant. It was presumably the money which she brought to the partnership on her father's death in 1764 which enabled him to landscape the grounds of Ditchingham Hall in the style of Capability Brown. By 1786 he had handed over the management of his estates to his elder son, Philip Bedingfield (1744-91), and retired to Norwich. The younger Philip survived his father by only a few months, leaving a widow who died in 1795 and an infant daughter who died in 1797, but the Ditchingham and Flemings Hall estates passed to his next brother, the Rev. Bacon Bedingfield (1746-97), rector of Gislingham and Bedingfield. His heir was his eldest surviving son, John James Bedingfield (1773-1853), who had handed Ditchingham Hall over to his son, John Longueville Bedingfield (1800-71) by 1837, and later lived at Ditchingham Lodge on the estate and in his last years in a town house in Bungay (Suffk).

John Longueville Bedingfield was a militia officer and justice of the peace, but he evidently ran into financial difficulties for reasons which are unclear, and was obliged to escape his creditors by moving to Dieppe, where he, his wife and his second son all died in the space of a few months in 1870 and 1871. His eldest son, Philip Bedingfield (1830-70) having also died at this time in Lowestoft, the estates were divided between his grandsons, Philip Henniker Bosard Bedingfield (1859-1936) and Fleming Augustus O'Brien Bedingfield (1862-1934). Philip inherited Ditchingham and came of age in 1880, but sold the  estate, which had been in his family for nearly four hundred years, in 1885. Fleming retained the Flemings Hall estate throughout his lifetime, but is only recorded as resident in 1918, and the property was usually let. He had no children, and it was sold after he died in 1934, ending the family's status as Suffolk landed gentry after more than 500 years.

Fleming's Hall, Bedingfield, Suffolk

A fine and rather picturesque house on a complex moated site which seems to have provided one island house-platform for the house and its outbuildings and a second for associated dwellings and stock. The moat walls were brick-lined and perhaps originally defensive in intention, rather than merely for show. The building is medieval in origin and was originally entirely semi-timbered, perhaps with a steeply pitched thatched roof. Its present appearance owes much to a remodelling in about 1600, probably for Thomas Bedingfield (1553-1636). 

Flemings Hall: entrance front.

The house has a long straight entrance front with exposed studding (and 20th century applied timbers) on the upper floor, and the ground floor encased in red brick, the latter no doubt one of the changes of c.1600. In the approximate centre is a late 16th century two-storey porch, in line with the medieval screens passage, which was, however, removed in the mid 20th century. The porch has a four-centred arch with a pediment, and a three light transomed window, also with a pediment, lighting the room above, under a stepped gable with pinnacles. 

Flemings Hall: the semi-timbered rear elevation in 2013. Image: John Fielding. Some rights reserved.

Flemings Hall: the east end elevation, showing the moulded chimneys and curiously shaped attic windows.

At the rear, the house is entirely timber-framed and less regular, and there is a later projecting single-storey wing providing additional family accommodation. The main block is a relatively narrow single pile, and the end walls are of red brick, with shaped gables carrying groups of four polygonal chimneys, which must be of c.1600. The gable-ends have mullioned and transomed windows with hood-moulds, and 'horse-collar' windows in the attic. The house was badly neglected after being sold by the Bedingfields in 1934, and was extensively restored after 1960 by the photographer, Angus McBean, who introduced old timbers, panelling and other features from other houses to replace those stripped out during and after the Second World War. Few of the internal features except parts of the staircase are therefore indigenous to the house, although there is some good panelling and a fine 17th century fireplace in the former great hall.

Descent: Peter de Fleming; to daughter Alice, wife of James de Bedingfield (d. 1435); to son, William Bedingfield (d. 1467); to son, John Bedingfield (fl. 1478); to son, Thomas Bedingfield (d. c.1515); to son, Philip Bedingfield (c.1483-1542); to son, Thomas Bedingfield (c.1519-71); to son, Thomas Bedingfield (1553-1636); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1589-1660); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1620-73); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1655-96); to son, Rev. John Bedingfield (1683-1729); to brother, James Bedingfield (1684-1765); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1716-91); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1744-91); to brother, Rev. Bacon Bedingfield (1746-97); to son, John James Bedingfield (1773-1853); to son, John Longueville Bedingfield (1800-71); grandson, Fleming Augustus O'Brien Bedingfield (1862-1934); sold after his death to Mrs. Willoughby (fl. 1937); sold 1937 to Thomas Joseph Morris (d. 1953); to widow, Gwendoline Mary Morris, who sold 1954 to P.P.F. Brutton;... sold c.1960 to Angus McBean (1904-90)... sold to Jasper Conran (b. 1959); sold 2006 to Andy & Alison Hill; sold 2017...  The house was let to the Edwards family for much of the 19th century.

Ditchingham Hall, Norfolk

Nothing seems to be known about the house at Ditchingham which Thomas Bedingfield acquired through marriage with the heiress of the Bozard family at the end of the 15th century. It was replaced, reputedly about 1710, by the present building, built for the Rev. John Bedingfield, who inherited in 1696 and came of age in 1704. As first built, the house was a seven by five bay block of two storeys, with a tall hipped roof with dormers and panelled chimneystacks which were rather old-fashioned for their date. In the centre of the south-west front is a three-bay pediment enclosing a shield with the Bedingfield arms and decorative swags to either side, executed in wood rather than stone or plaster. The house is of a purplish-red brick with red dressings and white keystones to the windows, and has a plat-band separating the two main floors. The central doorcase has Corinthian pilasters carrying a segmental pediment, which breaks through the plat band, and the windows are all sashes, although the glazing bars are not original.

Ditchingham Hall: the original south-facing entrance front of c.1710. Image: Stephen Richards. Some rights reserved.

In the late 18th century, the house was extended by the addition of a two-storey service wing running north from the east end of the house, and a parallel range north of the west end of the house but detached from it. The two new wings thus formed an informal courtyard, open to the north. The materials of the new work are again red brick and slate, but the quality of the workmanship is not as high. In 1910, William Carr employed the architect H.J. Green of Norwich to join the west side elevation of the main block to the detached wing with a block containing a large new drawing room on the ground floor and bedrooms above, the latter approached by a new staircase which projects into the service courtyard. The new addition made a new north-west front nine bays long, which was given a central three-bay pediment and doorcase copying those on the south front, and became the entrance side of the house.

Ditchingham Hall: the west front created in 1910 when the house was extended to the north.

In its original form, the south door led into a hall separated by three round arches (now glazed) from a spacious staircase with three turned balusters to each tread and carved tread ends. To the east of the hall lay the dining room and the kitchen, while the drawing room lay to the west. When the addition of 1910 was built, creating a much larger drawing room and a new entrance on the west, the original hall became a library, but this alteration was reversed in 1983, when the entrance was moved back to the south front. At the time of the 1910 alterations, good late 18th century fireplaces were brought in to enhance the principal ground-floor rooms.

The house was originally placed in a formal setting, with elaborate geometric grounds, shown on a map of 1713 (which survives only in the form of a later copy). The house was approached by two entrance avenues, each provided with elaborate gates on the Norwich road.  The house was set amid lawns in the centre of a circular carriage sweep surrounded by trees, with walled gardens down the steep slope to the east of the house. By 1764, another map, made by Joseph Rumhall, shows there were two short canals and a geometric basin in the valley bottom, adjoining the Broome Beck, and there was a summer house overlooking the stream. A plantation of trees, divided by straight walks, had been planted along the Norwich road, presumably to provide increased privacy. Annotations on the 1764 map suggest landscaping improvements were already being contemplated, and by 1778 work had evidently been completed, as an engraving by Butcher shows the grounds looking much as they do now. 

Ditchingham Hall: engraving of 1778 showing the newly-landscaped grounds.

The gardens around the house had been cleared away, and a serpentine lake had been created by damming the Broome Beck. On an island in the lake was a building, almost certainly the summerhouse shown on the 1764 map, but this had been demolished by 1816. A Gothick cottage had been built on the north side of the lake as a picturesque object: this seems to survive as a keeper's cottage, but has been shorn of it decorative façade. The new landscaping was much in the style of Capability Brown, and it used to be claimed that a design for an alternative layout by Brown himself was in the house, but this seems not to have been seen by anyone in living memory, and since there are no contemporary references to Brown's involvement and no payments from the Bedingfields in his accounts, his personal involvement is probably a myth. The park survives today in good condition, and has recently been enhanced by some judicious replanting with oak and sweet chestnut, the creation of an arboretum west of the house and of a flower garden on the balustraded terrace created in 1910 south and east of the house.

Descent: Roger Bozard (d. 1505); to daughter Joan, wife of Thomas Bedingfield (d. c.1515); to son, Philip Bedingfield (c.1483-1542); to son, Robert Bedingfield (c.1527-1600); to grandson, Sir Philip Bedingfield (1594-1622), kt.; to second cousin, Philip Bedingfield (1589-1660); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1620-73); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1655-96); to son, Rev. John Bedingfield (1683-1729); to brother, James Bedingfield (1684-1765); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1716-91); to son, Philip Bedingfield (1744-91); to brother, Rev. Bacon Bedingfield (1746-97); to son, John James Bedingfield (1773-1853); to son, John Longueville Bedingfield (1800-71); to grandson, Philip Henniker Bosard Bedingfield (1859-1936), who sold 1885 to William Carr (1828-1905) of Gomersal Hall (Yorks), surgeon; to son, William Carr (1862-1925); to Brig. William Greenwood Carr (1901-82); to daughter Annabel (1930-2019), wife of Robert Washington Shirley (1929-2012), 13th Earl Ferrers; to son, Robert William Saswalo Shirley (b. 1952), 14th Earl Ferrers.

Bedingfield family of Fleming's Hall and Ditchingham Hall

Bedingfield, James (d. 1435). Second son of Sir Peter de Bedingfeld (d. 1370) of Bedingfield Hall, and his wife Dame Margaret (d. 1380). He led the Suffolk rebels in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, and after being imprisoned was pardoned by King Richard II, 1389. He married Alice, daughter of Peter de Fleming of Flemings Hall, Bedingfield, and had issue, possibly among others:

(1) William Bedingfield (d. 1467) (q.v.);

(2) Margaret Bedingfield; married Thomas Appleyard of Dunton (Norfk).

He inherited Flemings Hall in right of his wife.

He died in 1435. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bedingfield, William (d. 1467). Son of James de Bedingfield (d. 1435) and his wife Alice, daughter of Peter de Fleming of Flemings Hall, Bedingfield. He married, c.1435, Mary or Margaret, daughter of Thomas Playters of Sotterley Hall (Suffk), and had issue:

(1) John Bedingfield (fl. 1478) (q.v.);

(2) Peter Bedingfield (d. 1464), of Lowestoft (Suffk); married Batildis [surname unknown] and had issue three sons and two daughters;

(3) Thomas Bedingfield (d. by 1497) of Cookley (Suffk); married and had issue three daughters;

(4) Rev. William Bedingfield (d. 1503), rector of Oulton (Suffk) c.1453-1503; died 1503; will proved in Norwich, 1503.

He inherited Flemings Hall from his father.

He died in 1467. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bedingfield, John (fl. 1478). Eldest son of William Bedingfield (d. 1467) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Playters of Sotterley Hall (Suffk). He married Alice, daughter of Walter Stonham, and had issue including:

(1) Thomas Bedingfield (fl. 1512) (q.v.).

He inherited Flemings Hall from his father in 1467.

He was living in 1478 but had died before 1496. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bedingfield, Thomas (d. c.1515). Son of John Bedingfield (fl. 1478) and his wife Alice, daughter of Walter Stonham. He married Joan, daughter of Roger Bozard (d. 1505) of Ditchingham Hall (Norfk), and had issue:

(1) Philip Bedingfield (c.1483-1542) (q.v.);

(2) Rev. Thomas Bedingfield (d. 1547); rector of Alderton (Suffk); will proved at Norwich, 1547;

(3) Alice Bedingfield, a nun;

(4) Margaret Bedingfield; married Thomas Appleyard, eldest son of William Appleyard of Carleton by Norwich (Norfk), and had issue at least one son and one daughter.

He inherited Flemings Hall from his father and Ditchingham Hall in right of his wife in 1505.

He was living in 1512 but had died by 1517. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bedingfield, Philip (c.1483-1542). Elder son of Thomas Bedingfield (d. c.1515) and his wife Joan, daughter of Roger Bozard of Ditchingham Hall (Norfk), born about 1483. He married, probably between 1510 and 1520, Anne, daughter and heiress of Richard Yaxley, of Yaxley Hall (Suffk), and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bedingfield (c.1519-71) (q.v.);

(2) Edmund Bedingfield (fl. 1569); married [forename unknown] Broune of Walsoken (Norfk), and had issue one son and one daughter; living in 1569;

(3) Richard Bedingfield; died without issue;

(4) Robert Bedingfield (c.1527-1600) (q.v.);

(5) Rev. Henry Bedingfield (b. c.1530), born at Yaxley c.1530; educated at Clement's Inn, London, c.1552-53; ordained deacon, 1564, when he was aged 34; vicar of Bedingfield, 1569 and Hedenham (Norfk), 1582; married, c.1563, Elizabeth Walsingham, and had issue two sons and three daughters;

(6) Margaret or Mary Bedingfield; married Edward Thoresby (d. 1602) of Bocking (Essex), and had issue two sons and three daughters;

(7) Phillipa Bedingfield (d. 1559); married Thomas Darcy of Tolleshunt (Essex) and was buried at Tolleshunt d'Arcy, where she is commemorated by a brass; died 1559;

(8) Catherine Bedingfield; married 1st, John Winter (d. 1558) and had issue five sons; married 2nd, as his second wife, Edmund Beaupré (d. 1568) of Outwell (Norfk);

(9) Elizabeth Bedingfield; married 1st, Thomas Tibbenham (d. 1583) of Earsham (Norfk), and had issue two daughters; married 2nd, Thomas Cod;

(10) Bridget Bedingfield (fl. 1543).

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father.

He died 7 December 1542; an inquisition post mortem was held at Bury St Edmunds, 13 September 1543; his will was proved in Norwich, 1543. His widow's date of death is unknown.

Bedingfield, Robert (c.1527-1600). Younger son of Philip Bedingfield (d. 1542) and his wife Anne, daughter and heiress of Richard Yaxley of Yaxley Hall (Suffk), born about 1527. Educated at Lincolns Inn (admitted 1545); attorney in Norfolk; attorney for Lincoln's Inn by 1551; clerk of the peace for Norfolk*. He married 1st, 1558 (licence 9 July), Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Heydon KB (c.1470-1550) and widow of Thomas D'Arcy of Tolleshunt d'Arcy; 2nd, by 1567, Mary, daughter of Sir Henry D'Oyly (d. 1564) of Shottisham; and 3rd, 2 November 1581 at Dunston (Norfk), Anne, daughter of John Appleyard, and had issue, possibly among others:

(2.1) Henry Bedingfield (c.1567-95) (q.v.);

(2.2) Mary Bedingfield (b. 1569), baptised at Hedenham, 3 October 1569; married, 13 September 1590 at Hedenham, William Vesey (fl. 1634) of Bedingham (Norfk);

(2.3) Margaret Bedingfield (b. 1570), baptised at Hedenham, 17 December 1570;

(2.4) Elizabeth Bedingfield (b. 1572), baptised at Hedenham, 29 June 1572; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 10 January 1574/5;

(3.1) Philippa Bedingfield; married, 14 January 1600/1 at Hedenham, John Heigham, son of Sir Clement Heigham, kt., of Barrow Hall (Suffk).

He inherited Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1542 and bought the adjoining manor of Hedenham from Sir Christopher Heydon in 1559.

He died 2 November and was buried at Hedenham, 5 November 1600; his will was proved in the PCC, 25 November 1600. His first wife died before 1565. His second wife was buried at Hedenham, 9 February 1573/4. His widow married 2nd, 21 January 1600/1, as his second wife, Sir Clement Heigham (d. 1634), kt., of Barrow Hall (Suffk); her date of death is unknown.

* Some sources say he was Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth I, but he does not appear on the list of persons holding this office.

Bedingfield, Henry (c.1567-95). Only son of Robert Bedingfield (c.1527-1600) and his second wife, Mary, daughter of Sir Henry D'Oyly of Shottisham, born about 1567. He married 23 September 1589 at West Harling (Norfk), Margaret (b. 1561), daughter of Thomas Darcy (c.1538-86) of Tolleshunt d'Arcy (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Margaret Bedingfield (1592-1632), baptised at Ditchingham, 11 July 1592; married Robert Morse (c.1583-1653) of Stuston (Suffk), and had issue at least one daughter; buried at Stuston, 2 April 1632;

(2) Sir Philip Bedingfield (1594-1622), kt. (q.v.);

(3) Mary Bedingfield (b. 1595).

He died in the lifetime of his father, 1 February, and was buried at Hedenham, 2 February 1594/5; his will was proved at Norwich in 1594/5. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bedingfield, Sir Philip (1594-1622), kt. Only son of Henry Bedingfield (c.1567-95) and his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas Darcy of Tolleshunt d'Arcy (Essex), baptised 27 January 1593/4. He was knighted at Theobalds, 5 December 1618. He married, 27 November 1615 at Isleham (Cambs), Frances (1595-1630), daughter of Sir John Peyton of Isleham, but had no issue.

He inherited Ditchingham Hall from his grandfather in 1600. At his death the estate passed to his second cousin, Philip Bedingfield (1587-1660) (q.v.).

He died 19 February and was buried at Hedenham, 20 February 1621/2, where he is commemorated by a monument; an inquisition post mortem was held in 1622-23. His widow married 2nd, Miles Hobart (1595-1639) of Intwood (Norfk) and had issue three sons; she was buried at Hedenham, 12 July 1630.

Bedingfield, Thomas (c.1519-71). Eldest son and heir of Philip Bedingfield (c.1483-1542) and his wife Anne, daughter and heiress of Richard Yaxley of Yaxley Hall (Suffk), born about 1519*. He married, c.1549, Mary alias Margaret** (d. 1605), daughter of William Methwold of Langford (Norfk), and had issue:

(1) Frances Bedingfield (b. 1550?), said to have been born or baptised, 18 January 1550/1; married Robert Crisp;

(2) Anne Bedingfield (b. 1552?), said to have been born or baptised 27 March 1552; married Francis Symonds (d. 1626) of Suffield (Norfk), and had issue at least one son and one daughter; died before 30 April 1631;

(3) Thomas Bedingfield (1553-1636) (q.v.);

(4) Mary? Bedingfield (b. 1554?; fl. 1636), said to have been born or baptised 1 July 1554; married [forename unknown] Hunt; living in 1636;

(5) John Bedingfield (b. 1558?; fl. 1570), said to have been born or baptised 4 March 1558; living in 1570;

(6) Philippa Bedingfield (b. c.1560), born about 1560; living in 1570;

(7) Richard Bedingfield (b. c.1562), born about 1562; died without issue;

(8) Susan Bedingfield (1564-1620?), said to have been born or baptised 30 May 1564; married [forename unknown] Moulins of London; said to have died 16 April and been buried 18 April 1620.

He inherited Flemings Hall from his father.

He was perhaps the 'Thomas Benefeilde' buried at St. Dunstan in the East, London, 9 November 1571; his will was proved in the PCC, 17 November 1571. His widow was buried at Bedingfield, 15 August 1605.

* He was aged 24 at the inquisition post mortem held in September 1543 following his father's death.

** Mary in the burial register; Margaret in the grant of her son's wardship in 1571.

Bedingfield, Thomas (1553-1636). Elder son of Thomas Bedingfield (c.1519-71) and his wife Mary, daughter of William Methwold of Langford (Norfk), baptised at Bedingfield, 3 May 1553. After his father's death in 1571, his wardship was granted to his mother. Educated at Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1571), Furnivall's Inn and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1575; called 1581; pensioner, 1597; bencher 1603). JP for Suffolk from 1584; MP for Eye, 1586-88. Steward of Duchy of Lancaster lands in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk from 1604. He married, 4 June 1584 at Darsham (Suffk), Dorothy (d. 1646?), daughter of John Southwell of Darsham, and had issue, probably with others who died in infancy:

(1) Mary Bedingfield (1587-98), baptised at Bedingfield, 7 December 1587; died young and was buried at Bedingfield, 25 June 1598;

(2) Philip Bedingfield (1589-1660) (q.v.);

(3) Dorothy Bedingfield (b. c.1590); married, c.1610, William Holcroft (c.1590-1632), and had issue two sons and three daughters;

(4) Margaret Bedingfield (1591-1620), said to have been baptised at Bedingfield, 7 April 1591; buried at Darsham, 10 July 1620;

(5) Elizabeth Bedingfield (b. & d. 1592), baptised at Bedingfield, 14 May 1592; died in infancy and was buried at Bedingfield, 5 July 1592;

(6) Sir Thomas Bedingfield (1593-1661), kt., of Darsham, baptised at Bedingfield, 13 September 1593; educated at Southwold, Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge (matriculated 1608) and Grays Inn (admitted 1608; called, 1615; reader, 1636; Treasurer, 1639-42); MP for Dunwich, 1620, 1626, and for Suffolk, 1654; recorder of Dunwich (Suffk), c.1627-30; attorney to the Duchy of Lancaster, 1636-48; inherited his father's lands at Eye (Suffk), 1636; knighted, 23 June 1638; committed for contempt of House of Lords for refusing to defend Sir Edward Herbert, who was impeached by the Commons for attempting to arrest five members, 1642; justice of common pleas, 1648-49; serjeant at law, 1648-61; JP for Suffolk, 1660-61; a Parliamentarian during the Civil War; married, 16 January 1627/8 at St Mildred Poultry, London, Elizabeth (d. 1669), daughter of Charles Hoskins, mercer, of London and Oxted (Surrey), and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 24 March 1660/1 and was buried at Darsham, 27 March 1661, where he was commemorated by a monument; will proved in the PCC, 30 May 1661;

(7) Rev. Robert Bedingfield (1595-1651), baptised at Bedingfield, 3 March 1594/5; educated at Westminster, Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1617; BA 1618; MA 1621; BD 1628; DD 1631); ordained deacon, 1623; rector of Newton, Isle of Ely (Cambs), 1631-51; said to have married, c.1630, Anne Thoresby, and had issue three sons and one daughter; buried at Newton (Cambs), 1651; administration of his goods granted in the PCC, 1651;

(8) John Bedingfield (1596-1680?), baptised at Bedingfield, 8 March 1595/6; married and had issue; living in 1660 when he was mentioned in his brother's will, and was perhaps the man of this name buried at Halesworth (Suffk), 29 May 1680;

(9) Elizabeth Bedingfield (1597-1604), baptised at Bedingfield, 24 May 1597; died young and was buried at Bedingfield, 30 October 1604; 

(10) Frances Bedingfield (1600-65?), baptised at Bedingfield, 23 July 1600; married, 3 January 1626/7 at Darsham, Thomas Golding (d. 1644?) of Poslingford (Suffk), and had issue at least two sons (who died young) and one daughter; possibly the woman of this name buried at Poslingford, 11 July 1665;

(11) Anthony Bedingfield (1602-62?), baptised at Bedingfield, 9 September 1602; living in 1636, when he was mentioned in his father's will, and perhaps the man of this name buried at Darsham, 17 December 1662;

(12) Mary Bedingfield (b. 1603?), said to have been baptised at Bedingfield, 4 January 1603; married, before 1636, [forename unknown] Downhall; living in 1636;

(13) Eleanor Bedingfield (c.1604-13), born about 1604; died young and was buried at Darsham, 21 November 1613.

He inherited Flemings Hall from his father in 1571 and came of age in 1574. He purchased Darsham Hall from his wife's family in 1611. 

He died in 1636 and was buried at Darsham; will proved in the PCC, 26 November 1636. His widow was living in 1636 and is said to have died in 1646.

Bedingfield, Philip (1589-1660). Eldest son of Thomas Bedingfield (1553-1636) and his wife Dorothy, daughter of John Southwell of Darsham (Suffk), baptised at Bedingfield, 4 May 1589. Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1609) and Grays Inn (admitted 1611). Probably the man of this name who was MP for Norfolk, 1654. He married, 7 May 1617 at Coddenham (Suffk), Anne (c.1596-1659), daughter of Sir Edward Bacon (1548-1618), kt. of Shrubland Hall (Suffk), and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bedingfield (1618-58?), baptised at Darsham, 31 May 1618; educated at Botesdale, St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1634) and Grays Inn (admitted 1636); married, 14 May 1650 at St Clement, Eastcheap, London, Anne/Hannah (d. by 1677) (who m2, 7 November 1661 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), as his second wife, Sir Philip Parker (c.1625-90), 1st bt., of Erwarton (Suffk) and had issue three daughters), daughter and heiress of Philip Bacon of Woolverstone (Suffk), and had issue one son; his date of death is usually given as 1661, but this appears to be a confusion with his uncle of the same name, and he may be the man of this name buried at Christ Church, Newgate St. or at St Gregory by St Paul*, London, 16 May 1658; 

(2) Dorothy Bedingfield (c.1619-63), born about 1619; married Francis Bacon (c.1623-92) of Norwich and had issue at least one son and two daughters; buried at St Gregory, Norwich, 12 August 1663, where she was commemorated by a monument;

(3) Philip Bedingfield (1620-73) (q.v.);

(4) Ellen Bedingfield (c.1622-23), born about 1622; died in infancy and was buried at Bedingfield, 28 February 1622/3; 

(5) Anne Bedingfield (b. 1624); married, 2 April 1646 at Ditchingham, John Sicklemore MP (c.1612-70) of Grays Inn and Ipswich (Suffk) (who m2, 1651, Martha, daughter of Nicholas Bacon of Shrubland (Suffk), and had issue two sons and three daughters), second son of John Sicklemore (d. 1645) of Tuddenham (Suffk), but had no issue; died before 1651;

(6) Helena Bedingfield (b. 1625), baptised at Bedingfield, 8 June 1625; said to have died unmarried;

(7) Mary Bedingfield (c.1626-65), born about 1626; married, 12 October 1658 at Ditchingham, William Jermy (d. 1669) (who m2, 14 October 1667 at St Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn (Middx), Anne, daughter of Sir John Boys, kt.), and had issue one son and two daughters; died in childbirth and was buried at Stutton (Suffk), 19 August 1665;

(8) Edward Bedingfield (1629-49), said to have been born 20 August 1629; educated at Norwich, Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1647) and Grays Inn (admitted 1647); died unmarried and was buried at Ditchingham, 27 August 1649;

(9) John Bedingfield (c.1631-33), born about 1631; died in infancy and was buried at Bedingfield, 25 January 1632/3; 

(10) Robert Bedingfield (b. & d. 1632), baptised at Ditchingham, 17 May 1632; died in infancy and was buried at Hedenham, 26 May 1632;

(11) Elizabeth Bedingfield (1633-70?), baptised at Ditchingham, 6 August 1633; died unmarried and was probably the woman of this name buried at Ditchingham, 14 September 1670;

(12) Francis Bedingfield (1635-38), baptised at Ditchingham, 30 March 1635; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 22 February 1637/8;

(13) Anthony Bedingfield (b. & d. 1638), baptised at Ditchingham, 14 June 1638; died in infancy and was buried at Ditchingham, 12 July 1638;

(14) James Bedingfield (b. c.1640), born about 1640; died without issue.

He inherited Ditchingham Hall from his second cousin in 1622 and Flemings Hall from his father in 1636.

He died 4 March and was buried at Ditchingham, 6 March 1660/1. His wife was buried at Hedenham, 2 December 1659.

* His burial is entered in the registers of both churches.

Bedingfield, Philip (1620-73). Second, but eldest surviving, son of Philip Bedingfield (1589-1660) and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Edward Bacon, kt., of Shrubland Hall (Suffk), born 1620. Educated at Botesdale, Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1637) and Lincolns Inn (admitted 1638). He married, about 1652, Ursula (d. 1677), daughter of Sir John Potts, 1st bt., of Mannington (Norfk), and had issue:

(1) Dorothy Bedingfield (1653-1718), baptised at Ditchingham, 21 April 1653; married, 13 November 1684 at Ditchingham, Sir Edmund Doyley (c.1666-1700), 3rd bt. of Shotesham Park (Norfk), and had issue at least two sons and one daughter; buried at Shotesham (Norfk), 26 December 1718;

(2) Ursula Bedingfield (1654-63), born 18 April and baptised at Ditchingham, 2 May 1654; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 17 February 1662/3;

(3) Philip Bedingfield (1655-96) (q.v.);

(4) Elizabeth Bedingfield (1656-61), baptised at Ditchingham, November 1656; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 7 January 1660/1;

(5) Mary Bedingfield (1657-69), born 4 December and baptised at Ditchingham, 6 December 1657; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 25 April 1669;

(6) John Bedingfield (1659-63), born 4 July and baptised at Ditchingham, 16 July 1659; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 13 April 1663;

(7) Charles Bedingfield (1660-1750), baptised at Ditchingham, 20 September 1660; educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1678); married, 9 January 1693 at Brome (Norfk), Agneta, daughter and co-heir (with six sisters) of Sir William Cooke, 2nd bt., of Brome Hall (Norfk), and had issue; said to have died aged 89 on 14 August 1750, and been buried at Hedenham the following day, but he does not appear in the register;

(8) Ann Bedingfield (1666-70), baptised at Ditchingham, 13 February 1665/6; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 6 February 1669/70.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1660.

He was buried at Hedenham, 5 July 1673, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument. His widow was buried at Hedenham, 26 March 1677.

Bedingfield, Philip (1655-96). Eldest son of Philip Bedingfield (1620-73) and his wife Ursula, daughter of Sir John Potts, kt., of Mannington (Norfk), born 28 April and baptised at Ditchingham, 10 May 1655. Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1671). He married, 25 February 1676/7 at Sevenoaks (Kent), Elizabeth (d. 1724), daughter and co-heir of William Strode of Chevening (Kent) and Newhouse, Coventry (Warks), and had issue:

(1) Katherine Bedingfield (1678-80), baptised at Ditchingham, 19 March 1677/8; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 24 August 1680;

(2) Philip Bedingfield (1679-87), baptised at Ditchingham, 12 March 1678/9; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 23 August 1687;

(3) Elizabeth Bedingfield (1680-1709), baptised at Ditchingham, 30 August 1680; married, 24 May 1708 at Hedenham, Robert Davy of Ditchingham and had issue one daughter; died following childbirth and was buried at Ditchingham, 30 August 1709;

(4) twin, Thomas Bedingfield (b. & d. 1682), baptised at Ditchingham, 18 April 1682; died in infancy and was buried at Hedenham, 8 June 1682;

(5) twin, Robert Bedingfield (b. 1682), baptised at Ditchingham, 18 April 1682; perhaps died young but no further record found;

(6) Rev. John Bedingfield (1683-1729) (q.v.);

(7) James Bedingfield (1684-1765) (q.v.);

(8) Strode Bedingfield (1687-1725), baptised at Ditchingham, 7 June 1687; inherited the estate of his uncle Sir George Strode (d. 1707), kt. of Etchingham (Sussex), and took the surname Strode; died unmarried and without issue, 18 May and was buried at Hedenham, 23 May 1725, where he is commemorated on his father's monument;

(9) Philip Bedingfield (1690-1730), baptised at Ditchingham, 27 June 1690; a lay theologian, who wrote The psalms of David made fit for the closet and an exposition of the Athenasian creed (1720); died 24 October 1730 and was buried in Norwich Cathedral;

(10) Charles Bedingfield (1691-1750), baptised at Ditchingham, 2 October 1691; probably died unmarried and was buried at Ditchingham, 20 February 1749/50;

(11) Marie Bedingfield (b. 1693), baptised at Ditchingham, 25 October 1693; perhaps died young;

(12) Thomas Bedingfield (b. 1695), born 10 July and baptised at Ditchingham, 25 July 1695; probably the man of this name who was a haberdasher in London in 1735; married, 22 August 1717 at Ditchingham, Arabella (d. 1762), daughter of Rev. Charles Buchanan, rector of Ditchingham, and had issue one son and three daughters; death not traced.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1673 and came of age in 1676.

He died 25 August, and was buried at Hedenham, 27 August 1696, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument. His widow was buried at Hedenham, 1 February 1723/4*.

* According to the parish register. However, the monument to her and her husband in the church says she died on 28 February 1723/4 and so the register entry may be a scribal error for 1 March 1723/4.

Bedingfield, Rev. John (1683-1729). Eldest surviving son of Philip Bedingfield (1655-96) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of William Strode of Coventry (Warks), born 1683 and baptised at Ditchingham, 25 February 1683/4. Educated at Clare College, Cambridge (matriculated 1700; BA 1704; MA 1711; LLD, 1724). Ordained deacon, 1707 and priest, 1708. Rector of Hedenham, 1708-29, and vicar of Bedingfield, 1712-29. He married, 1 July 1719 at Hedenham, Catherine (c.1694-1779), daughter of Clere Garneys of Hedenham (Norfk), but had no issue.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1696 and came of age in 1704. He rebuilt Ditchingham Hall in about 1710.

He was buried at Hedenham, 20 November 1729. His widow died 21 September and was buried at Hedenham, 27 September 1779; her will was proved in Norwich, 1779.

Bedingfield, James (1684-1765). Second surviving son of Philip Bedingfield (1655-96) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of William Strode of Coventry (Warks), born 31 May 1684 and baptised at Ditchingham, 20 February 1684/5. Apprenticed to Thomas Preston of London, vintner, 1701/2. A vintner in the City of London. He married*, 4 February 1713/4 at St Mary Magdalene, Old Fish St., London, Mary (d. 1727), daughter of Francis Maskull of London, and had issue:

(1.1) Elizabeth Bedingfield (1715-23), born 28 April and baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 13 May 1715; died young and was buried at St. Dunstan-in-the-East, 7 January 1722/3;

(1.2) Philip Bedingfield (1716-91) (q.v.);

(1.3) Strode Bedingfield (b. & d. 1717), born 11 August and baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 23 August 1717; died in infancy and was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-East, 30 December 1717;

(1.4) Mary Bedingfield (1719-32), born 8 June and baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 19 June 1719; died young and was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-East, 3 April 1732; administration of her goods granted to her father, March 1733/4;

(1.5) Anne Bedingfield (b. & d. 1720), born 29 September and baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 11 October 1720; died in infancy and was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 4 November 1720;

(1.6) James Bedingfield (1722-26), born 16 January and baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 18 January 1721/2; died young and was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-East, 24 August 1726.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his elder brother in 1729.

He was buried at Ditchingham, 16 January 1765. His wife was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, 7 November 1727. 

* Some accounts mention a second wife called Susan, but this appears to be a confusion with his son's second wife.

Bedingfield, Philip (1716-91). Only surviving son of James Bedingfield (1684-1765) and his wife, Mary, daughter of Francis Maskull of London, born 1 June and baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-East, 12 June 1716. Educated at Westminster and St. John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1734). JP for Norfolk; High Sheriff of Norfolk, 1757 (taking over from John Barker of Shropham, who died in office). He married 1st, 18 June 1741 at Raveningham (Norfk), Mary (1715-57), fourth daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon (1672-1721), 4th bt., of Gillingham Hall (Norfk), and 2nd, 8 August 1761 at Ditchingham, Susan (1724-94), daughter of Francis Spendlove (1683-1764) of Norwich and widow of John Balls (d. 1752) of Norwich and the Rev. Nathaniel Forster DD (1718-57), scholar and prebendary of Bristol Cathedral, and had issue*:

(1.1) Mary Bedingfield (1742-69), baptised at Ditchingham, 7 March 1741/2; married, 11 October 1763 at Ditchingham, Brampton Gurdon Dillingham (1739-1820) of Letton (Norfk) and Grundisburgh (Suffk) (who m2, Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Samuel Howard, and had further issue one daughter), son of Thornhagh Gurdon (d. 1783), and had issue three sons; died after a long illness, 27 June, and was buried at Cranworth (Norfk), 3 July 1769, where she is commemorated by a mural monument;

(1.2) Elizabeth Ann Bedingfield (1743-51), baptised at Ditchingham, 8 February 1742/3; died young and was buried at Hedenham, 3 March 1750/1;

(1.3) Philip Bedingfield (1744-91) (q.v.);

(1.4) Rev. Bacon Bedingfield (1746-97) (q.v.);

(1.5) James Bedingfield (1747-74), baptised at Ditchingham, 3 January 1747/8; married, 30 April 1772 at St Stephen, Norwich, Mariana alias Marion (1739-1809) (who m2, 12 April 1780 at Beccles (Suffk), Rev. Benjamin Wymberley Salmon (1743-1821), rector of Caister-on-Sea (Norfk), 1781-1821, and had issue one son and one daughter), daughter of Thomas Peirson of North Runcton (Norfk), but died without issue; buried at Hedenham, 23 December 1774; administration of his goods granted to his widow, 4 February 1775;

(1.6) John Henry Bedingfield (b. & d. 1749), baptised at Ditchingham, 11 March 1748/9; died in infancy and was buried at Hedenham, 11 November 1749;

(1.7) John Bedingfield (1750-87?), baptised at Hedenham, 17 October 1750; died without issue and was perhaps the man of this name buried at Caister-on-Sea, 25 April 1787;

(1.8) Anne Bedingfield (1752-79), baptised at Hedenham or Ditchingham**, 24 December 1752; married, 11 July 1778 at St Mary in the Marsh, Norwich, Rev. William Leigh (1752-1809), rector of Little Plumstead (Norfk), 1779-1808 and dean of Hereford Cathedral, 1808-09, son of John Burridge Leigh (1721-73) of Rushall (Staffs), and had issue one daughter; died following childbirth and was buried at Hedenham, 7 June 1779;

(2.1) Francis Philip Bedingfield (1763-1841), of Ditchingham Lodge and Thornton Lodge, Northallerton (Yorks NR), baptised at Ditchingham, 22 December 1763; educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge (admitted 1790); an officer in the army (Cornet, 1780; retired 1784) and Norfolk Militia (Capt., 1793) and then again in the army (Ensign, 1795; Lt., 1795); DL for Norfolk, 1794; married 1st, 28 October 1782 at Thelverton (Norfk), Catherine (1757-1812), daughter of Thomas Havers of Thelverton, and had issue four sons and two daughters; married 2nd, 25 May 1813 at Acomb, York, Winifred Harrison (d. 1831); married 3rd, 13 December 1831 at North Otterington (Yorks NR), Mary (c.1784-1851), daughter of Fletcher Rigge of Cark Hall (Lancs); died 22 September, and was buried at All Saints, Northallerton (Yorks NR), 30 September 1841, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved in the PCC, 26 February 1842;

(2.2) Elizabeth Anne Bedingfield (1764-94), baptised at Ditchingham, 15 December 1764; married 1st, 8 May 1786 at All Saints, Norwich, Capt. Henry Addison, and 2nd, 27 December 1790 at Hedenham, Rev. Edward Forster of Balliol College, Oxford; buried at Clifton, Bristol (Glos), 26 September 1794.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1765, and was probably responsible for the landscaping of the grounds there, completed by 1778. He handed over the estate to his son and retired to Norwich by 1786.

He died 27 April and was buried at Hedenham, 3 May 1791; his will was proved 28 January 1804. His first wife was buried at Hedenham, 12 November 1757. His widow was buried at Hedenham, 4 June 1794; her will was proved 4 September 1794.

* Some sources say he had two further daughters by his second marriage, who died in infancy, but I have found no evidence for this.

** Her baptism is entered in the registers of both parishes.

Bedingfield, Philip (1744-91). Eldest son of Philip Bedingfield (1716-91) and his first wife, Mary, only daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, 4th bt., of Gillingham Hall (Norfk), baptised at Ditchingham, 19 September 1744. He married, 5 July 1782 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), Henrietta Priscilla (1761-95), daughter of Robert Hamby of Ipswich (Suffk), and had issue:

(1) Henrietta Maria Bedingfield (1784-97), baptised at Ditchingham, 2 June 1784; died young, in London, 3 April, and was buried at St Mary at the Elms, Ipswich (Suffk), 4 April 1797; administration of her goods granted to her uncle, Francis Philip Bedingfield, 9 August 1797.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in April 1791.

He died five months after his father, in late September 1791, and was buried at Hedenham, 3 October 1791. His widow died at Great Yarmouth, 20 October and was buried at St Mary at the Elms, Ipswich, 27 October 1795; her will was proved 12 January 1796 (effects under £10,000).

Bedingfield, Rev. Bacon (1746-97). Second son of Philip Bedingfield (1716-91) and his first wife, Mary, only daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, 4th bt., of Gillingham Hall (Norfk), baptised at Ditchingham, 16 May 1746. Educated at Norwich and Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1765; BA 1768); Fellow of Emmanuel College, 1768-70. Ordained deacon, 1770 and priest, 1770. Rector of Gislingham and Bedingfield, 1770-97. He married, 19 June 1770 at Great St Andrew, Cambridge, Susannah (d. 1812), daughter of Donatus O'Brien (d. 1777) of Blatherwycke Park (Northants), and had issue:

(1) Philip Bedingfield (1771-74), baptised at South Luffenham (Rut.), 20 October 1771; died young, 14 February and was buried at St Olave, York, 17 February 1774;

(2) John James Bedingfield (1773-1853) (q.v.);

(3) Mary Ann Bedingfield (1774-89), born and baptised at St. Olave, York, 13 March 1774; died young, 27 January, and was buried at St. Olave, York, 3 February 1789;

(4) Susannah Harriett Bedingfield (1775-1839), born and baptised at St. Olave, York, 21 May 1775; married 1st, 4 May 1797 at Ditchingham, Capt. the Hon. John Joseph Talbot (1765-1815), son of Charles Talbot and brother of the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, and had issue one son and two daughters; married 2nd, 30 December 1815, Henry Roper-Curzon (1789-1842), later 15th Baron Teynham (who m2, 12 December 1839, Sarah (d. 1855), daughter and sole heiress of Stephen Rudd of Merrion Lodge, Dublin), but had no further issue; died 7 June 1839;

(5) Lucy Eleanor Bedingfield (1777-1847), born 3 October and baptised at St. Olave, York, 14 November 1777; died unmarried, 29 December 1847; will proved in the PCC, 15 January 1848;

(6) Caroline Elizabeth Bedingfield (1778-1848); married, 30 January 1800 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Joseph Mortimer (c.1776-1833) of Trowbridge (Wilts); buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, 15 June 1848; will proved in the PCC, 6 July 1848;

(7) Julia Louisa Bedingfield (1780-88), born 6 June and baptised at St Olave, York, 31 December 1780; died 23 October and was buried near the font in St Olave, York, 29 October 1788;

(8) Mathilda Stafford Sophia Bedingfield (1784-1858), born 18 October and baptised at St. Olave, York, 21 December 1784; married, 4 March 1807 at Cheltenham (Glos), her cousin, Donatus O'Brien (1785-1832) of Tixover Lodge (Rut.) and had issue one son and seven daughters; died at Brighton, 4 April, and was buried at Blatherwycke (Northants), 10 April 1858, where she and her husband are commemorated by a monument;

(9) Emily Phillipa Bedingfield (1787-1826), born 25 October and baptised at St. Olave, York, 21 November 1787; died 1 March and was buried at Hedenham, 8 March 1826.

He seems to have lived at York until he inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his elder brother in 1791. His widow lived latterly at Cheltenham (Glos).

He died at Bath (Som.), 13 July and was buried at Hedenham, 21 July 1797; his will was proved in the PCC, 5 September 1797. His widow died 9 May and was buried at Gloucester Cathedral, 19 May 1812; her will was proved in the PCC, 29 October 1812.

Bedingfield, John James (1773-1853). Second, but eldest surviving, son of Rev. Bacon Bedingfield (1746-97) and his wife Susannah, daughter of Donatus O'Brien of Blatherwycke Park (Northants), born 14 February and baptised at St. Olave, York, 16 February 1773. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1793). Known in the family as 'John the Good'. An officer in the West Norfolk Militia (Maj., 1809); JP and DL for Norfolk. He married, 1 January 1800 at Bath (Som.), Sarah (1776-1855), daughter and co-heiress of Paul Piersey of Fairhill (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) John Longueville Bedingfield (1800-71) (q.v.);

(2) Lucinda Caroline Bedingfield (1802-93), born 2 June 1802 and baptised at Ditchingham, 14 October 1804; married, 19 October 1824 at Ditchingham, Rev. John Robert Hopper (c.1800-63), rector of Wells-next-the-Sea (Norfk), and had issue one son and four daughters; died 4 October 1893; will proved 2 March 1894 (effects £956);

(3) Col. Philip Bedingfield (1803-68?), born 14 November 1803 and baptised at Ditchingham, 23 November 1803 and again 14 October 1804; an officer in the Madras Army (Cadet, 1819; Lt., 1820; Capt., 1835; retired as Maj., 1846); lived latterly at Church Farm, Bedingfield; said to have died 1868/70;

(4) William Bedingfield (1805-23), born 31 December 1805 and baptised at Ditchingham, 15 October 1806; a midshipman in the Royal Navy; drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the Aegean Sea, 27 April 1823, and was buried at sea;

(5) Rev. James Bedingfield (1809-78), born 12 September 1809; educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1827; BA 1831); ordained deacon, 1833 and priest, 1833; rector of Bedingfield, 1833-78; vicar of Debenham (Suffk), 1840-78; and Rural Dean, 1844; chaplain to Lord Henniker; JP for Suffolk; married, 23 July 1839, Hon. Frances (1807-81), fifth daughter of John Minet Henniker-Major (1777-1832), 3rd Baron Henniker, and had issue seven sons and one daughter; died 22 August 1878 and was buried at Bedingfield; will proved 22 November 1878 (estate under £2,000).

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1797, but seems to have handed Ditchingham Hall over to his eldest son by 1837 and lived at The Lodge, Ditchingham, and latterly in Bungay (Suffk).

He was buried at Bungay, 7 January 1853; his will was proved in the PCC, 26 April 1853. His widow died in 1855 and was buried at Bedingfield; her will was proved in the PCC, 31 August 1855.

Bedingfeld, John Longueville (1800-71). Eldest son of John James Bedingfield (1773-1853) and his wife Sarah, daughter and co-heiress of Paul Piersey of Fairhill (Co. Cork), born 19 October 1800. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1819). An officer in the East Suffolk Militia (Capt., 1827); JP for Norfolk and Suffolk (by 1837); Chairman of Bungay Petty Sessions. A Conservative in politics. In his later years he evidently got into debt and was obliged to live abroad to escape his creditors. He married, 24 June 1829 at Thornham Magna (Suffk), Hon. Mary (c.1803-70), second daughter of John Minet Henniker-Major (1777-1832), 3rd Baron Henniker, and had issue:

(1) Philip Bedingfeld (1830-70) (q.v.);

(2) John Bedingfeld (1831-70), born 16 August and baptised at Ditchingham, 5 September 1831; an officer in the 48th Foot (Ensign, 1849; Lt., 1852; Capt., 1857), who was present at the siege of Sebastopol in the Crimean War and later served in Corfu (Greece); a freemason from 1856; died at Dieppe four days after his father, 2 December 1870; administration of goods granted 3 July 1874;

(3) Mary Henniker Bedingfeld (1832-1902), born 8 December 1832 and baptised at Ditchingham, 18 January 1833; died unmarried as a result of injuries received from a fall at her home, 26 May 1902, and was buried at Kirkley (Suffk); will proved 24 July 1902 (estate £2,526); 

(4) Sarah Sophia Bedingfeld (1834-1903), born 24 July and baptised at Ditchingham, 9 August 1834; married, 16 August 1860 at Ditchingham, Maj-Gen. Charles Sheridan Blackwood Walton (d. 1889), son of William Walton, and had issue one daughter; died 24 December 1903; administration of goods granted 16 March 1904 (estate £3,336);

(5) Anne Eliza Bedingfeld (1836-72), born 10 March and baptised at Ditchingham, 20 March 1836; married, 18 November 1868 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Rev. William Farley Wilkinson MA (1837-1913), minor canon and precentor of Peterborough Cathedral, 1869-93 and rector of Bringhurst, Easton and Drayton (Rut.), 1893-1913, son of Rev. William Farley Wilkinson, and had issue one daughter; died 16 October and was buried in the precincts of Peterborough Cathedral, 21 October 1872;

(6) Francis William Bedingfeld (1837-69), born 26 October and baptised at Ditchingham, 5 November 1837; an officer in the Madras Infantry and 108th Foot (Ensign, 1856; Lt. by 1861; retired 1866); outlawed for debt, 1868; married 1st, probably c.1858 in India, Mary Laura (1839-61), daughter of Capt. (later Gen.) William Vine of 3rd Madras Regt., and had issue one son; married 2nd, 30 September 1862 at Ellingham (Norfk), Agnes Catherine (1844-1922), daughter of Rev. Robert Cobb, rector of Ellingham; died 1 February, and was buried at Hedenham (Norfk), 5 February 1869;

(7) George Longueville Bedingfeld (1841-74), baptised at Ditchingham, 1 May 1841; emigrated to Australia after his marriage but returned to England and worked as a railway clerk; married, 12 October 1864 at St Peter Port (Guernsey), Eleanor Agnes (1843-1917), daughter of William Harcourt Ranking MD of St Peter Port and Norwich, and had issue one son and five daughters; died at South Norwood (Surrey), 1 November 1874; will proved 22 December 1874 (effects under £600);

(8) Louisa Jemima Bedingfeld (1842-1916), born 5 April 1842 and baptised at Ditchingham, 25 January 1843; died unmarried, 9 March, and was buried at Peterborough, 13 March 1916; will proved 6 April 1916;

(9) Anne Catherine Bedingfeld (1846-51), born 2 April and baptised at Ditchingham, 25 July 1846; died young, 5 October, and was buried at Hedenham, 9 October 1851.

He inherited Flemings Hall and Ditchingham Hall from his father in 1853.

He died at Dieppe (France), 28 November 1871; administration of his goods was granted 6 May 1873 and 26 November 1874. His wife died at Dieppe, 12 September 1870.

Philip Bedingfield (1830-70) 

Bedingfeld, Philip (1830-70). Eldest son of John Longueville Bedingfeld (1800-71) and his wife Hon. Mary Henniker, second daughter of 3rd Baron Henniker, born 25 April and baptised at Ditchingham, 2 May 1830. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1848; LLB, 1854; LLD, 1859). An officer in the West Norfolk Militia (Capt., 1853); JP for Norfolk (by 1865). He married, 19 June 1855 at Woolverstone (Suffk), Adelaide Mary (1834-1912), daughter of Rev. Edgar Rust (later Rust D'Eye), of Abbots Hall, Stowmarket (Suffk), rector of Drinkston (Suffk), and had issue:

(1) Mary Ada Longueville Bedingfield (1856-1922), born at Fermoy (Co. Cork), 25 April 1856; lived with her mother at Mutford (Suffk); died unmarried, 11 February 1922; will proved 23 May 1922 (estate £3,712);

(2) Philip Henniker Bosard Bedingfield (1859-1936) (q.v.);

(3) Fleming Augustus O'Brien Bedingfield (1862-1934) (q.v.).

He lived at Marine Parade, Lowestoft (Suffk). His widow lived at Mutford (Suffk).

He died in the lifetime of his father, 27 October 1870; his will was proved 7 January 1871 (effects under £1,500). His widow died 19 September, and was buried at Hedenham, 25 September 1912; her will was proved 24 January 1913 (estate £6,435).

Bedingfeld, Philip Henniker Bosard (1859-1936). Elder son of Philip Bedingfeld (1830-70) and his wife Adelaide Mary, daughter of Rev. Edgar Rust (later Rust D'Eye), of Abbots Hall, Stowmarket (Suffk), born 29 October 1859 and baptised at Hedenham (Norfk), 1 January 1860. Educated at Beccles Grammar School, Bradfield College and Institute of Civil Engineers. He trained as a marine engineer and later turned to civil engineering, working for the Great Eastern Railway Co. before founding the firm of Bozard & Co., gunmakers (unconnected with the present firm of the same name). He married, 23 February 1884 at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow (Essex), Mary Jane (1863-1939), journalist, daughter of John Ambrose Edgar of Ipswich, tax collector, but had deserted his wife by 1911. They had issue:

(1) Alfreda Dorothea Adelaide Bedingfeld (1884-1958), born 24 November 1884 and baptised at Kirkley (Suffk), 3 June 1885; lived in Fulham (Middx); died Apr-Jun 1958;

(2) Philip Henniker Edgar Bedingfeld (1885-1960), born 4 December 1885 and baptised at Kirkley, 14 February 1886; served in the Royal Navy, 1901-25 and 1939-45 (Chief Petty Officer); awarded BEM, 1944; married 11 April 1910, Ella Blanche (1889-1962), daughter of Charles Ashburn-Pester of Plymouth, and had issue two sons; died 4 October 1960; will proved 25 November 1960 (estate £3,961);

(3) Janet Winifreda Bedingfeld (1887-1913), born 11 February 1887 and baptised at All Hallows, Tottenham (Middx), 16 July 1888; died unmarried, 2 November 1913;

(4) Isabel Mary Bedingfeld (1889-1912), born 19 June and baptised at All Hallows, Tottenham, 16 July 1889; died unmarried, 26 February 1912;

(5) Margaret Muriel Bedingfeld (1891-1941), born 15 February and baptised at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), 24 May 1891, but known in the family as Daisy or Margeurite; served in First World War with Women's Army Auxiliary Corps; died unmarried, 11 January 1941;

(6) John Edgar Bozard Bedingfeld (1893-1968), born 13 April 1893; served in Royal Navy submarine service, 1914-18; joined Agricultural Dept. of Gold Coast, 1927, and was Manager of Abakrompa branch of Messrs. L. Rose & Co., 1929-34; returned to England and worked as a traveller for a paint manufacturer; retired 1939 and later lived at Stanwix (Cumbld.); married, 2 June 1934 at Christ Church, Leyton (Essex), Jessie Louie (1912-69), daughter of Gordon Bruce of Leyton, police officer, and had issue one son; died Jul-Sep 1968;

(7) Victoria Violet Bedingfield (1897-1927), born 7 April 1897; died unmarried, 2 April 1927;

(8) Geoffrey Herbert Bedingfeld (1901-03), born 25 September 1901; died in infancy, 15 April 1903.

He inherited Ditchingham Hall from his grandfather in 1871, and came of age in 1880. He sold the estate in 1885.

He died 6 January 1936 and was buried at Dickleburgh (Norfk). His widow died in Fulham (Middx), 14 November 1939.

Bedingfeld, Fleming Augustus O'Brien (1862-1934). Younger son of Philip Bedingfeld (1830-70) and his wife Adelaide Mary, daughter of Rev. Edgar Rust (later Rust D'Eye), of Abbots Hall, Stowmarket (Suffk), born 16 August and baptised at Ditchingham, 19 October 1862. An officer in the militia (Capt.); JP for Suffolk (from 1916). He was declared bankrupt in November 1926. He married 1st, 29 April 1896 at Brentwood (Essex), Mary Louisa (c.1861-1926), daughter of Dr. Robert Jackson of Oxford, and 2nd, 15 November 1927, Ethel Frances Ashton Dyke (fl. 1952), but had no issue.

He inherited Flemings Hall from his grandfather in 1871 and came of age in 1883. Although he was apparently resident in 1918, the house seems mainly to have been tenanted and was sold after his death. He lived latterly in Kensington (Middx).

He died 13 October 1934. His first wife died 25 May 1926; her will was proved 15 June 1926 (estate £12,635). His widow was said to be living in 1952 but her date of death is unknown.

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1952, pp. 143-45; E. Sandon, Suffolk houses, 1977, pp. 167-69; R. Haslam, 'Ditchingham Hall', Country Life, 10 August 1989, pp. 66-69; Sir N. Pevsner & B. Wilson, The buildings of England: Norfolk  - North-West and South, 2nd edn., 1999, p. 305; Sir J. Baker, The men of court, 1440-1550, 2012, vol. 1, p. 293; P. Dallas, R. Last & T. Williamson, Norfolk Gardens and Designed Landscapes, 2013, pp. 127-29; J. Bettley & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Suffolk - East, 2015, pp. 116-17; D. Brown & T. Williamson, Lancelot Brown and the Capability Men, 2016, pp. 9-10.

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Ermine, an eagle displayed, gules.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide portraits of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply images or information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 8 November 2022 and updated 10 and 26 November 2022 and 25 November 2024.