BRYDGES, Giles (1548-94), of Sudeley, Glos.

Brydges succeeded to extensive lands in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. The bulk of this estate, which was in Gloucestershire, consisted of the castle and manor of Sudeley, and the manors of Bourton, Brimpsfield, Granham, Haresfield, Stoke Archer and Bodgworth. He also succeeded his father as chief steward of the manor of Hailes, steward of several Gloucestershire hundreds and keeper of Braydon forest in Wiltshire. After succeeding to the peerage after the first session of the 1572 Parliament, he became involved in several disputes with the council in the marches of Wales and, on one occasion, was summoned before that body. The troubles were largely occasioned by his retainers, two of whom were arrested.1Rudder, Glos. 251, 304, 311; VCH Wilts. v. 120-3; CSP Dom. 1547-80, pp. 463, 545; SP12/112/51; HMC Hatfield, ii. 205.

Although he may, at times, have lacked diligence in his local duties—in 1578 he was admonished for his failure to send to the Privy Council the names of Gloucestershire people suspected of piracy—nevertheless as the leading nobleman in the county, he headed many commissions of inquiry into the restraint of grain, local disorders, ecclesiastical abuses and recusancy, and was active on commissions for musters. In 1590, on the recommendation of the Earl of Pembroke, he became a member of the council in the marches of Wales. In 1576 and again in 1592 he was visited at Sudeley by the Queen on progress.2Bristol and Glos. Arch. Soc. Trans. lvi. 216; CSP Dom. 1547-80, p. 463; APC, xi. 221, 302, 367; xii. 241, 284; xiii. 215; xiv. 39, 250, 284, 321-2; Lansd. 63, f. 95; 683, f. 60; HMC 13th Rep. IV, 248; E. K. Chambers, Eliz. Stage, iv. 66, 92, 107.

Like his father before him, he held the office of steward of Cricklade; a number of his relatives sat for the borough; and for many years his influence was dominant there. He died 21 Feb. 1594, the sole witness to his will, made 23 July 1592, being John Higford I.3PCC 12 Dixy.