Individual Details

Marriage

Robert Wingfield was born about 1491, as the second and last child of Sir Henry Wingfield and Elizabeth Rokes at Orford, Suffolk. Elizabeth was a late and second marriage for his father, who was likely about fifty when Robert was born. Robert Wingfield was Ducal Auditor for Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk. Brandon was married to Mary, sister of Henry VIII. Robert lived at the Brandon Estate at Westhorpe, Suffolk for many years as did his widowed mother. Robert Wingfield married Margery Quarles about 1522. She was the daughter of John Quarles and Amy Plumsted, who both had long lines of ancestry in Norfolk. Robert Wingfield was granted the Manor of Upton by Henry VIII, and later served as a member of Parliament for two terms. Thomas Wingfield, older brother of Robert, was Captain of Deal Castle during the reign of Henry VIII. Robert Wingfield died at Upton on Feb. 2, 1576 at quite old age. Camden mentions Robert Wingfield as being of "great age" when he visited Upton Manor. He also comments on the lovely gardens and grounds at Upton. In the letters of Robert Cecil, a reference is also made to the old age of Robert Wingfield of Upton. Margery Quarles died some time before 1574. Upton Chapel still exists on the property, but only a fragment of the original Manor buildings remain. Upton originally was in the possesion of Eleanor of Castile, and was property of the crown through Henry VIII.