1:1 Origins in England
The Golding Family of Glemsford
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The Origin of the Name Golding or Goulding
There is a family known by the name of Golding that is listed in the Domesday Book, also people by the name of Goldwin, Godin, Godwin and Goldman, and which could have evolved into or from Golding. Domesday (pronounced "dooms-day") was compiled as an administrative tool. It was also known as the Great Survey of England and was made by order of William the Conqueror in A.D. 1086. It is contained in two volumes the first of which is a folio of 760 pages and the second is 900 pages. William sent out all over the conquered portion of England and took the names of all the men who owned land, found out how much each held and how much each piece was worth in the time of King Edward.
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Glodric Golding and Aeschere Golding were living in Essex, England and a man by that name is listed as the owner of one of the houses grouped in a cluster that today might be called a development. The small holdings belonged to “William’s burgesses”, meaning that it might have been a community of retiree’s from the army of William the Conqueror, or if not retired participants of the 1066 invasion of England then perhaps a cadre of soldiers, especially selected for their loyalty to William and rewarded with a parcel of land. At the time of the Conquest, their numbers would have been comprised entirely of Normans, but by the time of William’s census twenty-five years later the list contains many names that are of Anglo-Saxon origin. Some of these small landowners had more land than the Golding family. Goldric had two houses and twenty-two acres and Aeschere had one house and nineteen acres, but possibly the size of their holdings had something to do with the rank they held in William’s army. There is a cryptic inclusion in the Domesday Book in reference to someone known as Golding, Earl Harold's man but with no further explanation as to who this person may be. Harold Godwinson was the King of England at the time of the Conquest and he is usually called Earl Harold in the Domesday since the Normans did not admit his claim to the throne. (The Domesday Book Online)
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Variants of the name
The following information is from The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, Vol 1 Aaron-Cushing ed Patrick Hanks, Richard Coates and Peter McClure, Oxford University Press, 2016, p 1033
"Gelding", is also a variant of the name "Golding". Other forms of this variant are "Gilding" and "Guilding". McKinley notes that in the 1332 subsidy for Catsfield, Sussex THOMAS GOLDING is listed in the same order as Thomas Gelding in the equivalent rool for 1327 (from Surnames of Sussex, p 400. If Gelding is a genuine varaint of Golding, it may have been modeled on the Middle English interchange of "golden" with the synonymous "gilden", "guiden" or "gelden". The Old English for golden is "gylden". It is also possible that the recording of "Gelding" in place of "Golden" may just be a copyist's error.
There are a few instances of the variant of the name being recorded:
a. Geoffrey Geldyng - 1296 in Subsidy Rolls, Hoo, Sussex
b. Thomas Gelding 1327 in Subsidy Rolls, Catsfield, Sussex
c. Thomas Gildyng - 1379, in Poll Tax, Croucheston, Wiltshire
d. Bridgett Gilding - 1607 in IGI, Norwich, Norfolk
e. Johlippus Gelding - 1646 in IGI, Shipdam, Norfolk
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The name is more prevalent in Great Britain than in Ireland. It is an English name, probably a relationship name from the Middle English personal name "Golding" from a late, unattested Old English "Golding". Early bearers of the name were:
a. "Goldinc" - 1088 in the Domesday Book in Essex, England
b. Aldred Golding - Before 1224 in Clereknwell Cartlary, Middlesex
c. William Golding - 1202 in Assize Rolls, Lincolnshire
d. Richard Golding - 1210 in Curia Regis Rolls, Cambridgeshire
e. William Gulding - 1327 in Subsidy Rolls, Sussex
f. Willelmus Goldyng - 1377 in Poll Tax, Green Hammerton, WR Yorkshire
g. Henrico Goldyng - 1379 in Poll Tax, Upton Lovell, Wiltshire
h. Robert Gooldyng - 1456 in PROB 11
i. Henry Goldinge - 1577 in PROB 12 Little Birch, Essex
j. Gabriell Gouldinge - 1640 in PROB 11, Clare, Suffolk
k. Walter Goldinge, Gent.- 1559, time of Elizabeth I
l. Michael Goldinge - 1565, time of Elizabeth I
m. Edmund Gouldinge - 1578, time of Elizabeth I
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The de Golding Family
There was a family named de Golding, or sometimes simply Golding who were of Essex, England. John de Golding was born about 1300 and his son was Simon. Birthdates are not accurate but are rather my estimation but the line of succession from John is known. Simon de Golding was born about 1330 and he had a son named John, born about 1350. Nicholas de Golding, born about 1350 was the next in line and he had a son named Robert who was born at Glemsford in Suffolk County, England in about the year 1390. Robert in turn had a son named John who built the “Angel House”, so named because of a carving of the Archangel Michael on one of the large posts of the house. The Angel House is now a pub and historic landmark in Glemsford. Robert of Glemsford had a son named Thomas Golding and he eventually moved from Glemsford to Poslingford, thus establishing two distinct points of reference for this particular branch of the Golding family in England.
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Louis Thorn Golding, in his book An Elizabethan Puritan, wrote on page 13:
“During this century and well into the next, numerous Goldings and Goldyngs were, as the records show, conveying land or paying taxes at various places in Suffolk and Thomas Golding who held land in the manor of Swifts in Preston left a will which was proved at Kettlebaston, Suffolk, England on May 31, 1454. His widow's name was Ethelreda, a case of the late survival of Anglo-Saxon nomenclature. From about the middle of the fifteenth century on, the family began to rise in importance and wealth and Robert Goldyng of Glemsford, who died in 1470, acquired a coat of arms with these armorial bearings: Gules, a cheveron Or between three Bezants, the Crest, a Dragon's head Vert guttee d'or gorged with a collar with two rings also Or. “
Louis Golding wrote his book mainly about his direct ancestor, Arthur Golding, the translator of Ovid’s Metamorphosis. He was probably the premier authority on the life of Arthur Golding and in his book he narrates the progression of the Golding family, from their emergence as a wealthy family of merchants through several carefully orchestrated matrimonial alliances that greatly increased their collective fortune so that by the middle of the sixteenth century they had connected themselves to the lordly house of Vere. It is apparent that the Golding family of Elizabethan times and before were intent on expanding their own power and prestige through whatever means became available to them.
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Placenames associated with de Golding are:
GLEMSFORD - The de Golding family came to Glemsford in the 15th century, though it is possible they were there much earlier. The house where John Golding, son of Robert lived was called the "Angel House" and it is still in existence. John de Golding's brother Thomas moved to Poslingford.
POSLINGFORD - This is where the family of Thomas "of Poslingford" lived. The Gosnold family were also from Poslingford. It is certainly no coincidence that both families found themselves here and the fact that the two families were closely connected by marriage and other ties inspired members of the line of the Glemsford de Golding family to voyage to America and specifically to Jamestown with their close kin, the Gosnolds.
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The Glemsford Goldings were cloth merchants
A change in circumstances generally causes people to move from place to place, and that was certainly the case with the Golding family who moved from Gestingthorpe to Glemsford. The de Golding family were cloth merchants and their rise in fortune happened as the result in the change in the social structure of the country. Although Suffolk played an important role in the history of the Middle Ages it does not appear that Glemsford was directly involved in the politics of the time. These were the days when daily survival was uncertain, as the Black Death spread across the land and decimated the population. Glemsford benefited indirectly as an emerging center of the wool trade which came to Suffolk in the 14th and 15th centuries. After the Plague the cultivated fields were left barren and empty because of the greatly reduced population. It was not uncommon during the terrible year of 1349 for a village to lose three quarters of its men, and so sheep were introduced to feed on the grass which grew in the fields that could not be tilled because of the lack of manpower.
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Predictably so, the prosperity which this change in agriculture brought about came on very gradually and was proceeded by a 'religious revival" and a rise in the latter part of the 14th century of the ancient Guilds, which were greatly multiplied as the middle class rose in prominence. There is evidence to show that besides the ancient Fraternity of the Clerks of Glemsford, there was also a Jesus Gild and a Gild of St. Thomas. The Chapel of the first was to the north of the Chancel, for as late as 1520 Johan (Joan) Warde, widow of Glemsford, Diocese of Norwich, in her will proved 20th April 1520 stated
"I will that my body be buried in the Chapel of Our Lady, on the North part of the Steeple in Glemsford. She also left 20d 'that the curate may pray for my sould, 6s 8d for the maintenance of the Chapel of Our Lady." The organ is now placed in this ancient Chapel.
Glemsford was an isolated community
It is probable that Glemsford has been the home of man for 10,000 years. The village is sited on the top of a spur of the East Anglian Heights at the height of 375 feet above sea level situated to the north of the Stour River valley some six miles NE of Sudbury, bounded in the east by the little River Glem from which it takes its name. Geologically the formation of the hillside was in the Third Ice Age, it being composed of Boulder Clay settled in a groove cut by a glacier. The fact that the clay descends to a depth of 304 feet is almost unique in England, and the information discovered when a water bore was drilled in the parish in 1905 is used in geological textbooks. (Glass, n.d.)
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The fact that pools of water existed upon the top of the hill made the site suitable for habitation for Neolothic Man. Flints discovered recently in the parish suggest that Glemsford was inhabited as far back as 8000 BC. It has been suggested that in Iron Age times these inhabitants were a small group of Iberians surrounded by more numerous Goidels and Brythons (Gaels and Britons) of Celtic origin. It is possible that the hilltop was fortified from early times, and it is known that these three races were continually involved in tribal war. The Iberians, as civilized as their neighbors were wholly under the influence of Druidism and the locality abounds in references to the Druids and their Groves. It is a popular saying that the nickname of Glemsford, still used incidentally, of "Little Egypt" dates from these times, "Egypt" presumably referring to an Egyptian priest system. It is possible that the Romans may have given this name to Glemsford because of the priestly character of the settlement.
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Caesar tells us in "de Bello Gallico" that the Druids were responsible for what education there was among the Celtic people who inhabited these lands. If there were Druidic priests at Glemsford they may have become the 'teachers' of the Goidels, Brythons and Belgae. The settlement was most probably on land that until recently was the old parish common or Prophets Common and stretched from Grove Meadow and Tye Green at the top of the hill to Fair Green towards the Church. Today the site is a new Rectory and allotments which were made out of the Common in the "Hungry Forties" of the last century (1840's). The Common has now lost its identity completely.
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The small community of Glemsford was located on the pack train route from Melford to Clare or Bury and some have suggested that the nickname “Little Egypt” is a remnant of its reputation of the independent and unfriendly inhabitants of the town, who because of their isolation kept very much to themselves as a self-sufficient until upon their hilltop, and viewed all strangers with an attitude of grave suspicion. This was the atmosphere from which the Golding family came into prominence.
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Nicholas de Golding had two sons and their names were William and Robert. William, the son of Nicholas had a son John
William "of Glemsford" Golding was born about 1390 and he died about 1470. The name of his wife is not known but he had a son John who was born about 1430 in Gestingthorpe, Essex and he died before 20 May 1497 in Glemsford, Suffolk. He married Joanne Olyffe. She was born about 1430. John Golding and his wife Joanne had several children and their names were Thomas, William, John "the elder" Golding, John "the younger" Golding, Marjorie who married a man named Trumbill, Katherine who married a man named Wood and Joan who married a man named Hill. The line in my research stops here. I have no further information although the name of John Golding of Glemsford is recorded in what is still known as the Golding Chapel.
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John Golding and the Golding Chapel
William and John Golding arranged for the same architect who designed the Church of the Holy Trinity in Long Melford to design the Church of St. Mary Virgin at Glemsford. They placed their Golding family shield on the exterior of the last wall of the North Aisle and the arms of their father was inscribed in stone in the small museum in the North Aisle. Cut into the outer wall of the South Aisle Chapel, known as the Golding Chapel are the words
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"JOHN GOLDING JOAHN HYS WIFE TEE FOUNDER OF THIS CHAPEL AND IYLAS".
There is a similar inscription on the North wall of the North Aisle that refers to the sons and daughters of John Golding and Joan his wife, but it has become almost illegible due to the passage of time. The church itself is an excellent example of the Perpendicular style of Architecture and it is no doubt beautiful both in its excellent proportions and also in the interior when the sun shines through the many windows. (Glass, n.d.)
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The Wool Churches of East Anglia
The church is an example of one of the so-called "wool churches", meaning a project financed primarily by donations from rich merchants and farmers who had benefitted from the mediaeval wool trade. These rich benefactors, including the Golding family donated large amounts of money in the hopes of ensuring their own place in heaven. Wool churches were common in the Cotswolds and in the "wool towns" of East Anglia where enormous profits were gathered from the wool business. The wool industry first came into prominence in Suffolk and Essex when weavers from Flanders settled in the area, bringing with them their expertise regarding the weaving of cloth from wool. Before that time the English wool trade had most been comprised of the exportation of the raw material, but in time the export of woven cloth replaced the export of raw wool, the latter having been heavily taxed by Edward III to help finance the Hundred Years War. (Wool Towns, n.d.)
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Fine examples of this type of church are:
The Holy Trinity Church in Long Melford, Suffolk - This church is regarded as one of the finest wool churches in East Anglia. It was built from 1467 to 1497 and was funded by local cloth merchants, primarily John Clopton. This church stands as testimony to the wool business and its success during medieval times. St. Edmunds in Southwald - In Suffolk, notable for its medieval chancel screens.
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St. Agnes's Church in Cawston, Norfolk - The 15th century nave and western tower were financed by Michael de la Pole, the Earl of Suffolk. He had grown wealthy in the wood business and he built a church that is grander than was required by a modest, medieval village. The interior is graced by an elaborate hammerbeam ceiling with elaborate angels curving off the beam ends and a trio of angels on outstretched wings hovering over each clerestory window.
St. Mary's church at Worstead, Norfolk - This is the village that gave its name to the "Worsted cloth". The village church was built in the 14th century by local weavers. As in other East Anglian communities, the wealth from wool poured into towns such as Wymondham, Diss, North Walsham, East Harling, Attleborough and Alysham. Even in Norwich, which boasts more medieval churches than anywhere in Europe, it was wool money that built these edifices. Norfolk wool was better suited to a heavier cloth, so Norwich and Norfolk eventually gained a monopoly on worsted cloth.
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The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Lavenham - This Perpendicular church is one of England's largest parish churches. The building was largely rebuilt in the 15th century and it was financed largely by donations from two families; the Springs and the de Veres. (Wool Churches, n.d.)
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John Golding left a will
John Golding of Glemsford left a famous will, now preserved in the Archives of Suffolk. In it he expressed his desire that his body be buried behind the Jesus Altar, situated in what is now called the Golding Chapel, located in the south chapel at Glemsford church. From the will, two of his sons, John and William got property in “Poslingforth at Bulley Grenes”.
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THE WILL OF JOHN GOLDING In the name of God. Amen (Glass, n.d.)
“JOHN GOLDING of GLEMSFORDE, the elder, clothmaker, in the diocese of Norwich, to be buried in the Churchyard a Jesus Altar on the South side in the saide town of Glemsforde.
I bequeath the High Altar 13/4 and to the priests, clerks, and poor folk on my burying 6/8.
I will that a chapell be made over me where 1 shall ly in the saide churchyard and thereto bequeath £40
To all the four orders of Freress i.e. Sudbury, Clare, Babwell and Cambridge, to each of them 10/- to sing St. Gregory’s Trentall for me and my friends soules.
Item; to Johanna, my wife the house I dwell in for 1ife and £100.
To Dan, my son of Bury £40,
To William, my son, house and land which I have in Poslingforth at Bulley Grenes and £40 and a meadow called TURPITTES and three acres called SEGELAND in Glemsford
To John my son land in Glemsford except CHAMBERSCROFT in NETHERSTREET.
To John my son,the younger, house in Poslingford.
To Margery Trumbill my daughter £80.
To Katherine Wood my daughter £30 and land called CROSSES
To Joan Hill my daughter, Chamberscroft and three acres in Pentlowe, and twenty marks.
To all my Spinners l2d. each.
To Joan Golding daughter of William my son ten marks
To each of my children’s children 20/-
To my servants 3/4d each.
To the poor of Melford 6/8,
Executors: William my son and John Golding the elder
Supervisor Joan my wife.
Proved 80th May 1497 by the Executors named in the will
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The chapel was built in 1497 using a bequest of 40 pounds to build a chapel to the east of St. John's altar, located in the South aisle, over the grave of John Golding. The battlements of the roof of the chapel contain an inscription which was originally deciphered by Richard Deeks.
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Parts of the carving have been erased, probably by Puritan zealots at some later date. In another chapel at Belchamp St Paul's is a brass representing William Golding, died ? who built the south chapel of Glemsford church. The same source gives the name of William's father as Robert Golding and so forth to John Golding b abt 1300-1310.
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Joan Olyffe, widow, in her will dated 30th January 1468 left 6s 8d to the Guild of St Thomas, although the exact site of this Guild Chapel is not known. The manuscript copies of these wills made at the time of the grant of Probate may be seen in the Suffolk Records Office by arrangement with the Rector.
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There is another substantial relic of those times in the shape of a Guild Chest which was made about the year 1360 to house the Guild funds, the plate records and later the vestments of the Church. It is an ark type chest cut from a solid poplar trunk and encompassed by iron bands with three locks. The three keys were held, one each by the Chaplain and two Officers of the Guild. The Glemsford chest is remarkable for its size and it is in a reasonable state of preservation despite its being over 600 years old.
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The Glemsford Church in about 1880 showing the moat (Image: Glemsford Church 1880)
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Robert Golding, son of Nicholas Golding
The other son of Nicholas Golding was Robert. He was born about 1390 and he died about 1470, again a guess on my part. He was a wool merchant and he is attributed as the builder of the "Angel House". His son was Thomas "of Grey's Cavendish" Golding and it is through him that a long line of the family descends.
The name of Robert's wife is not known, but he had a son named Thomas who was of Poslingford.
The Angel House is located on Egremont Street, 5377 on the West side of the street in Glemsford. It occupies two lots, numbers 12 and 14 and is still known as the Angel House.
The Angel House in Glemsford (Angel House)
Egremont Street showing the Angel (Image: Egremont Street showing the Angel)
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British Listed Buildings describes it as follows:
THE ANGEL HOUSE
Egremont Street
5377 (West Side)
Glemsford
Numbers 12 and 14
Angel House
Numbers 12 and 14 comprise the east wing of a C16 timber framed house with plaster infill. It was built on an L shaped plan with wings extending to the north and east. The north wing is now part of the Angel Inn, and was refaced in the C18-C19. The timber framing is exposed on the north and east sides and the south side is plastered. 2 stories with the upper story jettied on exposed joists on the north and east sides. On the ground story at the northeast corner there is a massive corner post with fine carving of the Archangel Michael and a dragon and a figure of an angel below, 2 stories. On the east and north sides the windows are small casements with lattice leaded lights, and the north side has 2 original window openings with diamond mullions. Roof tiled.
References
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(n.d.). Retrieved from The Domesday Book Online: http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/landownersg-i.html
Angel House. (n.d.). Retrieved from British Listed Buildings: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101036656-angel-house-glemsford#.XY
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Glass, R. K. (n.d.). A Short History of Glemsford. Retrieved from The Foxearth and district Local History Society: http://foxearth.org.uk/GlemsfordGlass.html
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Image: Egremont Street showing the Angel. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foxearth.org.uk/GlemsfordGlass.html
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Image: Glemsford Church 1880. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foxearth.org.uk/GlemsfordGlass.html
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Wool Churches. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool_church
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Wool Towns. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool_towns
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