Reverend Robert Isham

ROBERT ISHAM the parson of Pytchley was born at Ringstead and put to school at Rothwell, as appears by his will.¹ He was a bachelor of arts in 1539 from Christ's College, Cambridge, and master of arts in 1542.^? He was instituted to the rectory of Grafton Underwood 6 July 1541 and to that of Islip 14 Dec. 1542.^? The living of Pytchley was held by him from 1548 until his death, and he was a chaplain and a prebendary of Peterborough from 1553 to 1559, when he resigned his stall.² He was a chaplain to Queen Mary, who willingly accepted him and was the cause of great credit and countenaunce unto him.² He died 5 May 1564, having made a will on 6 April 1564, which will was proved 3 Nov. 1568 by John and Henry Isham, his brothers, and Ferdinando Pulton, gentleman, a cousin.^1,2 In this will he asked for burial in his church of All Saints, the will being a long and interesting one, with many legacies to friends and kinsfolk.¹ To his brother Gregory's children he gave 'my two silver cups without covers doble gilt and eight silver spoons of one sorte wh round knobs at thendes of them, and my square silver slate being double gilt and my nest of bowles with one cover to them.'¹ To Jane Isham he gave 'my best silk curtains which were her fathers and valence for a bed of needlework and two questions of needlework.'¹ To his aunt Calcot he gave his 'olde damaske cote furred,' and to his uncle Calcot 'a black satin doublet.'¹ The 'worser of my two gowns lyned w' blacke satan' was given to Sir Richard Ives, with the cloke that was Mr. Richards and all my bokes.¹ The parson of Barton was to have his tippet, the parson of Grafton his black velvet purse, the parson of Cranford his best satin nightcap, the parson of Woodford his best silk girdle, the parson of Orlingbury and the vicar of Dodington a Bible each and Sir Thomas Stincopp of Braunston a 'worsted furred cassock.'¹ He names seven of his brothers and sisters as yet living, and gives a small legacy to nearly every soul in his parish of Pytchley.¹ An inquest after his death was taken at Northampton 2 Oct. 1564, the three daughters of his elder brother Giles Isham being returned as his next heirs.²