Richard Bampfield

Richard Bampfield (1526–1594) of Poltimore and Bampfylde House in Exeter, both in Devon, was Sheriff of Devon in 1576. He began construction of the Tudor era Poltimore House in 1550, and completed the building of Bampfylde House, Exeter, along with The Great House, Bristol one of the finest Elizabethan townhouses in the West Country, in 1590. He is the ancestor of the Bampfylde Baronets and Barons Poltimore.

Origins He was the eldest son and heir of Sir Edward Bampfield (died 1528) of Poltimore by his wife Elizabeth Wadham, the widow of John Warre of Chipleigh (see Chipley Park, Somerset), second son of Sir Richard Warre of Hestercombe, and a daughter of Sir Nicholas Wadham (died 1542) of Merryfield, Ilton in Somerset and of Edge, Branscombe in Devon. The Bampfield family had been seated at Poltimore since the 13th century.

Career Bampfield's father died when he was two years of age, and the 18th-century genealogist Thomas Wotton related this tradition about his childhood:

However, the editor of the 1771 edition of Wotton's genealogy added "Having received no account from the family, concerning this particular, I do not presume to give it as authentic."

Marriage and children

He married Elizabeth Sydenham (died 1599), daughter of Sir John Sydenham of Brympton d'Evercy, Somerset, by his wife Ursula Brydges, a daughter of Sir Giles Brydges (c. 1462 – 1511) of Coberley, Gloucestershire, and sister of John Brydges, 1st Baron Chandos (1492–1557). Her niece Elizabeth Sydenham was the wife of Admiral Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540 – 1596). By his wife he had three sons and nine daughters as follows:

Sons Giles Bampfield, eldest son and heir apparent, who died childless during his father's lifetime on a voyage to Ireland. In 1576 he married Elizabeth Clifton, daughter of Sir John Clifton of Barrington Court, Somerset. His monument and effigy survive in North Molton Church. He is the ancestor of the Bampfylde Baronets and Barons Poltimore. Richard Bampfield, third son. Johanna Bampfield, second daughter. She is apparently confused in Vivian (1895) with her aunt Joane Bampfield, successively wife of Sir Richard Pollard of Way, St Giles in the Wood and then of Hugh Giffard, of St Giles, third son of Sir Roger Giffard (died 1547) of Brightley, Chittlehampton.

Ursula Bampfield, third daughter, wife of Sir Thomas Fulford (1553–1610) of Great Fulford, Dunsford, Devon. Her effigy with that of her husband survive in Dunsford Church. They were the parents of Sir Francis Fulford. Susanna Bampfield, fourth daughter, wife firstly of John Hays of Myll in Witheridge and secondly of Simcock. Cullompton and secondly of Rev. Richard Bowden, parson of Okehampton.

Gertrude Bampfield, sixth daughter, wife of Henry Hurding (died 1627) of Long Bredy, Dorset, by whom she had two daughters, including Elizabeth Hurding (died 1668) who married firstly John Coffin (died 1622), of Portledge, lord of the manors of Alwington and Monkleigh, and secondly Hugh Prust (died 1666) A view of the monument is obstructed by pews in front and by the balcony above forming the manorial pew of the Bampfield family. The 8 painted escutcheons on the cornice depict the arms of 5 of his 8 sons-in-law, each impaling Bampfield, and the 3 sons-in-law of his son and heir Sir Amias Bampfylde, each impaling Bampfield.