Family and Education

m. twice, 1 surv. da.

Offices Held

Alderman, Coventry, sheriff 1575-6, mayor 1583-4, 1597.

Biography

Born in Preston, Lancashire, Breres was a wealthy Coventry draper who subscribed £25 to the Armada loan and on several occasions lent money to the city. He received 3s.4d. a day for his parliamentary service in 1586-7, and approximately the same rate in 1589. In 1601 he got 5s. a day, and in 1606 6s.8d. He took an active part in the affairs of Coventry, on at least one occasion visiting London on the city’s business, for which he was paid nearly £13. In February 1604 the Coventry council granted him a share of the lease of St. Michael’s rectory.

In January 1619 he made his will, asking to be buried in the parish church of St. Michael, near the communion table where his two wives lay. He left small legacies to his nephews Harry, William and Lawrence Breres, to his sister-in-law Lucy Breres, and to the widow of the late minister at Yardley. His charitable bequests included sums for the repair of St. Michael’s church, the poor of that parish, some poor old men of Bablake, and the inhabitants of an almshouse in Greyfriars Lane. He also remembered the poor of Preston, leaving money to be distributed at the discretion of his cousins there, one of whom was then mayor. He appointed as executors his only daughter Mary, and his son-in-law Bryan Janson, and left some household goods to their son Henry. The will was proved 7 May 1619.

T. W. Whitley, Parl. Rep. Coventry, Leet Bk. ii. 830-2; Harl. 6388, f. 41; Coventry council bk. ff. 189, 191, 240, 278, 284; Coventry bk. of payments, ff. 51-2, 61, 69, 74, 80-4; PCC 52 Parker.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: J.E.M.

Notes