Family and Education

b. ?c.1636, 3rd s. of Humphrey Bedingfield of Wighton by Abigail, da. of William Hicks, scrivener, of London.  educ. Queens’, Camb. 1657; G. Inn 1659, called 1667, bencher 1689, treasurer 1698. s.p.1

Offices Held

Jt. receiver of estates of duchy of Lancaster, Cambs., Norf. and Suff. 1664–86, receiver 1686–d.2

Freeman, King’s Lynn Oct. 1688, recorder Nov. 1688–d.3

Biography

Bedingfield’s family was a cadet branch of the Catholic Bedingfields of Oxburgh, and his uncle and namesake had served as clerk of the Parliaments in 1637. Returned in 1690 with Sir John Turner*, he was listed by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) as a Tory. In December Carmarthen forecast that Bedingfield would support him in the event of a Commons attack. Robert Harley* listed Bedingfield as a Court supporter in April 1691. He was named to the drafting committees for three bills: for the more easy recovery of small tithes (11 Oct. 1692); to regulate King’s Bench and Fleet prisons (18 Oct.); and to extend the patent for convex lights (18 Nov.). Samuel Grascome listed him as a Court supporter in 1693. Bedingfield presented a private estate bill on 3 Feb. 1694 on behalf of Charles Turner*, nephew of Sir John. On 19 Feb. he reported a bill for improvements to the Acts encouraging privateers. On 23 Mar. he was given leave of absence. He was appointed to the drafting committee for a prison bill on 4 Dec. In early 1695 he was listed as a friend of Henry Guy*, possibly in connexion with a likely attack upon Guy in the Commons. On 20 Feb. 1695 he told on the Tory side against giving leave of absence to Nathaniel Palmer. Bedingfield vacated his seat in 1695 in favour of Charles Turner. In a letter of February 1696 to the Norfolk non-juror Sir Nicholas L’Estrange, 4th Bt.†, he commented: ‘I believe the reality of the design of assassinating the King. Several are taken, and all under disguises and endeavouring to escape. You and I remember a plot they did not do so in.’4

Bedingfield died on 13 Sept. 1704, having named his nephew Christopher Bedingfield of Wighton as his heir. Despite a challenge from his niece Elizabeth Bedingfield, Christopher’s sister, the will was proved 30 Oct. 1704.5

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: D. W. Hayton

Notes

• 1. IGI, Norf.; PCC 194 Ashe; Vis. Norf. (Norf. Arch Soc.), i. 168–9.
• 2. Somerville, Duchy of Lancaster Official Lists, 199.
• 3. Cal. Freemen King’s Lynn, 199; H. Le Strange, Norf. Official Lists, 200.
• 4. HMC 11th Rep. VII, 112.
• 5. Le Neve, Mon. Ang. 1700–15, p. 92; PCC 194 Ash.