Family and Education

b. by 1504, 1st s. of William Lewen of Newcastle by Alice, da. of Lancelot Haselrigge of Swarland. m. (1) Margaret, da. of Gilbert Middleton, boothman, of Newcastle and of Silksworth and Kibblesworth, co. Dur., 2s.; (2) Jane (d. c.1569), da. of Christopher Brigham of Newcastle, 5s. inc. Edward.

Offices Held

Member, Newcastle merchants co. c.1525, gov. 1552-3; alderman, Newcastle by 1541, sheriff 1541-2, mayor 1544-5, 1552-3; keeper of royal ordnance in Newcastle by 1543; commr. musters, Newcastle 1559; j.p. Northumb. 1562.

Biography

Besides property in Newcastle itself, Lewen owned the manor of Silksworth, houses in Durham and ‘by ancient inheritance’, an estate at Hetton. He also leased land at Broomley, Northumberland ‘by payment of a pound of pepper as a free rent’. By Elizabeth’s accession his career was almost over. Returned by the borough to the first Parliament of the reign, he is not known to have contributed to its work. He made his will 26 Nov. 1562, and died soon afterwards, probably early in 1563, being buried in the church of St. Nicholas, Newcastle. Among his bequests Lewen set aside 300 marks to purchase an office for a younger son, Christopher, and he hoped Sir William Cordell would ‘be a help in the same’.

Add. 12477, f. 13; Vis. Northumb. ed. Foster, 78; Arch. Ael. (n.s.), i. 133; (ser. 3), i.. 68; (ser. 4), xiv. 59; Northumb. Co. Hist. vi. 148; R. Welford, Hist. Newcastle and Gateshead, ii. 215, 283, 339, 376; Surtees Soc. xciii. 283-4; cxii. 24-5; LP Hen. VIII, xviii(1), pp. 52, 431; xix(2), p. 89; J. Brand, Newcastle, ii. 240; CPR, 1560-3, p. 441.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes