Family and Education

2nd s. of William Herbert^† of Coldbrook, nr. Abergavenny, by his 2nd w. Joan, da. of John ap Thomas ap John of Llangatock, nr. Usk, wid. of James ap Watkin of Llandewi Rhydderch; half-bro. of Matthew. m. Joan, 1st da. and coh. of Thomas Huntley of Hadnock, 4s. 4da.

Offices Held

?J.p. Mon. from c.1583.

Biography

This Member has not been certainly identified. Herbert’s father, who was duchy of Lancaster receiver in Monmouthshire, may have used his influence to obtain his younger son’s return for the Boroughs. The Hadnock estate, which Herbert owned in right of his wife, was only about two miles from Monmouth.

Herbert was on several occasions involved in riots and disturbances in Monmouthshire, resulting in suits in the Star Chamber. John Morgan, sewer of the chamber, accused him of assault at Abergavenny, declaring that on one occasion he had been attacked whilst in the company of Lady Eleanor Vaughan, despite efforts to protect him by two justices. In 1585, William James, a yeoman of the guard, complained to the Privy Council that he was in danger of his life from attacks by Matthew and Charles Herbert and their followers. Because a justice of the peace supported these allegations, the Council ordered the examination of the offending parties, the two Herberts being in the meantime bound over to keep the peace. Disturbances continued in Monmouthshire, however, and in 1588 William John Proger declared that five of the Herbert family, including Charles, had attacked him and his friends at Abergavenny, had used their influence to get a jury of inquiry wrongfully enpanelled, and had perverted justice at the assizes.1

Charles Herbert signed the oath of association for Monmouthshire in 1584, and was a j.p. in the county from about 1585 to about 1592, when the list marks £10 in lands against his name, a reason for omitting him later. Herbert died early in 1605 in Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, London, where his nuncupative will was made, 16 Feb. His property was to be equally divided between the executors—the widow and the eldest son Giles. Probate was granted 3 May 1605.2

Bradney, Mon. i. 24, 38, 189; C142/220/87, 281/47; St. Ch. 5/H17/30, A46/23; APC, xx. 70; Clark, Limbus, 290; Williams, Parl. Hist. Wales, 134.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes

• 1. Somerville, Duchy, i. 651; St. Ch. 5/M4/13, P55/9, R38/30; SP12/180/9; APC, xiv. 6-7.
• 2. G. B. Morgan, Mems. Morgan Fam. i. 29; C66/1468; E163/14/8; PCC 33 Hayes.