HERBERT, Nicholas (c.1543-1601), of Cogan Pill, nr. Cardiff.

Herbert belonged by descent to Glamorgan and by marriage to Monmouthshire, and he owned property in both shires. This fact, and his kinship with the earls of Pembroke, account for his prominence in south-east Wales. Herbert was one of Pembroke’s leading supporters in the Cardiff area, where he mainly resided; though he also owned Crindau, the house inherited by his second wife from her first husband. The manor of Cogan was part of the patrimony of the Herberts of Swansea.3S. Wales and Mon. Rec. Soc. i. 98-113; Cardiff Recs. i. 321-2, 327-8; Clark, Limbus, 323; Flenley, 142.

In 1577, during his first shrievalty, he was accused of helping pirates and fined £200. In 1589 he was embroiled in ‘riots, routs and quarrels’ in association with Thomas Carne; the opposing faction belonged to the families of Bassett and Button. As Miles Button was then sheriff, Herbert sought the favour of the Privy Council, where he could have the support of his kinsman Pembroke, to prevent Button from empanelling a partial jury. Four years later, Pembroke made Herbert a deputy lieutenant in Monmouthshire to fill the vacancy caused by the death of another of the clan, Sir William Herbert of St. Julian’s.4Cardiff Recs. i. 352, 355; APC, xviii. 66-7.

Herbert died 24 Nov. 1601. Administration of his estate was not granted to his son William until 1603.5Wards 7/38/138; PCC admon. act. bk. 1603, f. 146.