Nicholas Wadham

Sir Nicholas Wadham (before 1472 – 5 March 1542) was an English landowner, courtier, politician, and civil and military administrator from Somerset. His inherited landholdings over three counties included Merryfield in Ilton in Somerset, and Edge in Branscombe in Devon.

Origins Born by 1472, he was the first son of Sir John Wadham (died 1481), of Merryfield, and his wife Elizabeth Stucley, daughter of Hugh Stucley (died 1457) in 1522 he was appointed Vice-Admiral to the High Admiral and in 1524, not having gained a legal qualification, received an honorary admission to the Middle Temple.

After 30 years of public service, being in good standing with the chief minister Thomas Cromwell and, no doubt, with the king as well, he was chosen to stand as MP for Somerset in 1529. After serving again as Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset in 1534, in October 1535 he asked Cromwell if he could be continue for another year, in order not to lose the revenues of the post, but his request was turned down.

Family First married to Joan Hill, daughter of the MP Robert Hill, Lawrence Wadham, who married Margaret Hody, daughter of Sir William Hody, and had a son Nicholas Others say that she was a nun before she married, hence the rhyme: "Mr. Foster of Baddesley was a good man, Before the marriage of priests began. For he was the first that married a nun, For which he begat a very rude son."

Catherine Wadham, not mentioned in the Visitations but also a nun at Romsey Abbey

Thirdly, by June 1517, he married Isabel Baynham, the widow of Giles Brydges, of Coberley, and the daughter of Thomas Baynham, of Clearwell, and his wife Alice Walwyn. They had no known children.

His fourth wife was Joan Lyte, widow of William Walton, of Barton St David, and daughter of Richard Lyte, of Lytes Cary, with whom he had no known children.