The Bowles of Bromley

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See The Bowles of Bromley's Family Tree

The Bowles of Bromley held the appointments of Groom of the Tents and Pavilions from the early 1500's under Queen Elizabeth, maintained it under Cromwell and then temporarily lost it with the restoration of the Monarchy but regained it again.  In 1661 Robert petitioned for “the reversion for his grandchildren Duodecimus and Charles after his sons Francis and William of the places of which he and his ancestors have served 100 years lest the ancient art of making Tents and Pavilions which is known to no other persons in His Majesty's Dominions should perish” (Cal. S.P. Dom., 1661).  The salary attached to this office would have been small, but the associated profits were probably valuable, as the holders had the exclusive right of supplying the army with tents.

The Bowles of Bromley are believed to have been a branch of The Bolles of Swineshead, Lincolnshire (after 1066 to modern times).  They lead to The Bowles of Chislehurst, co. Kent (~1614 to 1700) which in turn leads to The Bowles of North Aston, Oxfordshire (mid-1700's).

The Bromley line dies out directly after North Aston, but the Boles of Cork (early 1600's to current) possibly descended from this line.

Sir William Bowles (Bromley) - Regicide jury ref.

Miss Bowles (North Aston) - painted by Joshua Reynolds (now in the Wallace Collection)

Much more to come......