ROBOTHAM, Robert (by 1522-71), of London and Raskelf, Yorks.

A household official under Edward VI and Mary, Robotham was confirmed in his offices by Elizabeth, and was assessed at £61 in goods as a member of the Queen’s chamber in the household subsidy list of 1558-9. He received a grant of arms in December 1560, and in the same year obtained the wardship of a London goldsmith’s daughter, who subsequently married Robotham’s son, bringing him £840 cash and a manor near St. Albans. Robotham was returned to one Elizabethan Parliament through the influence of his friend Sir Henry Neville I, leaving no trace in its records. Neville was an overseer of the will Robotham made 30 Apr. 1570. There was plate amounting to nearly 5,000 ounces. Sir Walter Mildmay was left a cup. The heir, John, who was still under 21, was sole executor and residuary legatee. ‘Good debts owing to me’, totalled nearly £3,000, and ‘ready money in my house £400’. Probate was granted to the widow 1 Dec. 1571.Vis. Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 87; C1/1394/7; CPR, 1553 and App. Edw. VI, pp. 185, 374; CPR, 1558-60, p. 427; 1560-3, pp. 80, 357, 542; 1569-72, pp. 70-1; DL1/34/R6; 3/79/H.1.j.; APC, iv. 383; Lansd. 3, f. 194; 7, ff. 30-6; LC2/4/2; I. Temple, Petyt ms 538, xxxix. f. 134 seq.; Misc. Gen. et Her. (ser. 2), i. 269-70; CSP Dom. Add. 1566-79, p. 326; PCC 47 Holney; R. Clutterbuck, Herts. i. 106.