Thomas Godfrey 1586-1664

Thomas GODFREY 1586-1664

Thomas Godfrey's armorial stamp (British Armorial Bindings)

Biographical Note

Second son of Thomas Godfrey of Lydd, Kent. Matriculated at St John's College, Cambridge 1599, but did not graduate; entered the Middle Temple 1603. Held a series of public offices in Kent; MP for Winchelsea and New Romney between 1614 and 1640, where he developed an estate at Hoddiford.

Books

Godfrey was noted in his monumental inscription as “a great lover of learning”. The Armorials Database records a couple of surviving books with his armorial stamp, but the extent and disposition of his library are not known.

Characteristic Markings

One of the recorded books is inscribed with his name and date (1660).

Sources

• British Armorial Bindings.
• History of Parliament.