Richard Fettiplace

Richard Fettiplace was the eldest son of John Fettiplace, citizen and draper of London and Lord of the Manor of East Shefford (Berkshire). He inherited his father’s estate at the age of six, and grew up at East Shefford under the care of his mother Joan Fabian and his step-father, John Estbury.

Richard did not pursue a career at the Court like his brothers Anthony and Sir Thomas, but was dedicated to managing of his estates which he meant to enlarge by marrying Elizabeth, the only child and heiress of William Bessels of Besselsleigh (Berkshire). However, the manor had been going through a series of legal wrangles, and had entered into Fettiplace’s property during the time of Richard’s heir John Fettiplace, the eldest of his five sons and seven daughters.