Thomas Tesdale

Thomas Tesdale (1547–1610) was an English maltster, benefactor of the town of Abingdon in the English county of Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) and the primary founding benefactor of Pembroke College, Oxford.

Thomas Tesdale
Photograph of a Thomas Tesdale portrait, in the Amey Theatre at Abingdon School
Born1547
Stanford Dingley, Berkshire
Died13 June 1610
Glympton, Oxfordshire
OccupationMaltster, woad grower and dyer
Known forBenefactor of Abingdon School and Pembroke College, Oxford
Spouse(s)Maud Stone

Life and career
Alabaster likeness of Thomas Tesdale in the Tesdale monument in Glympton parish church

Thomas was born in Stanford Dingley in Berkshire and attended John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon (now Abingdon School). He became a rich maltster in the town, where he served as mayor, and purchased the manor of Ludwell in Oxfordshire.[1]

Tesdale grew wealthy as maltster in Abingdon,[2] and served as Master of Christ's Hospital of Abingdon. In 1581 he was elected mayor, but he did not serve his term as he had left the borough when he bought the manor of Ludwell in Oxfordshire. Soon after 1586 he moved to Glympton near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, where he rented the manor, raised livestock and grew and milled woad for dyeing.[2]

Death and legacy
Alabaster likeness of Maud Tesdale in the Tesdale monument in Glympton parish church

He left no children of his marriage to Maud Stone when he died, but gave £5,000 for the education of Abingdon Scholars (seven fellows and six scholars) at Balliol College, Oxford. In 1623, this money was augmented by the Reverend Richard Wightwick of East Ilsley and used instead for the transformation of Broadgates Hall into Pembroke College, named after the Chancellor of Oxford University, William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke.[1]

He also bequeathed an annual sum of money that allowed Roysses School to employ an Usher (a second master), from 1610-1870.[3] They became known as the Tesdale Ushers.[4]

See also

References
  1. John Platt, ‘Tesdale, Thomas (bap. 1547, d. 1610)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 30 January 2013]
  2. Crossley, 1983, pages 120–131
  3. Hinde/St John Parker, Thomas/Michael (1977). The Martlet and the Griffen. James and James Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-907-383-777.
  4. "Object 5: The Tesdale Panel". Abingdon School.

Printed sources
  • Crossley, Alan (ed.); Baggs, A.P.; Colvin, Christina; Colvin, H.M.; Cooper, Janet; Day, C.J.; Selwyn, Nesta; Tomkinson, A. (1983). A History of the County of Oxford, Volume 11: Wootton Hundred (northern part). Victoria County History. pp. 120–131.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  • Macleane, Rev. Douglas (1897). A History of Pembroke College, Oxford, Recently Broadgates Hall. First Series. 33. Oxford Historical Society.
  • Savage, H. (1668). Balliofergus, or, A commentary upon the foundation, founders, and affaires, of Balliol colledge.
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