Family and Education

b. c.1563, 2nd s. of Edward Herbert I, and bro. of Richard Herbert I. educ. I. Temple 1582; Lincoln, Oxf. 1589. m. Margaret, da. of Charles Foxe of Bromfield, Salop, 2s. 2da.1

Offices Held

J.p. Mont. from c.1594, Merion. from c.1596; sheriff, Merion. 1598-9, 1609-10.2

Biography

After fighting in the Netherlands between his period at the Inner Temple and Oxford, Herbert settled at Dolguog, a property given him by his father in an area where his wife’s family also owned land. The parliamentary seat at Montgomery was controlled by his father.3

Although his elder brother, Richard Herbert, was the principal heir, Matthew was well provided for on his father’s death in 1593. He inherited lands in Cyfeiliog and Machynlleth in Montgomeryshire, and his father’s mill, toll and fishing interests in the Dovey in Merioneth. He also took over the tithes of Llanegryn rectory in that county. In 1599 Herbert was described as a man of ‘great wealth and kinship’ in Merioneth. A few years later, he acquired the tithes of Llangynfelyn in the same county, and extended his property into Cardiganshire. His land transactions frequently involved him in litigation. In 1599 he was sued before the court of augmentations by Richard Price II of Gogerddan, Cardiganshire, on a complaint of forcible entry into lands in the township of Pennal, Merioneth, and lost the case. His later acquisitions in Cardiganshire and Merioneth led to suits in the Exchequer. Herbert died 2 Dec. 1611.4

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A.H.D.

Notes

• 1. Dwnn, Vis. Wales, ed. Meyrick, i. 312; Clark, Limbus, 296-7; Vis. Salop (Harl. Soc. xxviii), 193-4; P. H. Williams, Council in the Marches of Wales, 159-60; Mont. Colls. iii. 366; vi. 198; Autobiog. of Lord Herbert of Chirbury, ed. Lee, 8.
• 2. Pat. rolls 36 and 38 Eliz; Mont. Colls. iv. 261.
• 3. Mont. Recs. (Mont. Colls. supp.), 402-3, 406, 408, 415, 417, 438, 441, 458-9, 476-7, 520; Lee, 8.
• 4. PCC 47 Dixy; Exchequer, ed. E. G. Jones (Univ. Wales Bd. of Celtic Studies, Hist, and Law. ser. iv), 96; Exchequer Jas. I, ed. T. I. J. Jones (same ser. xv), 102, 232, 274, 277; Wards 7/56/35.