6 \ 
LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
brilliant age of Elizabeth. He was knighted for his valour at the seige of Cadiz, at the same time 
with two other Herefordshire gentlemen, Sir John Rudhall, and Sir John Scudamore, of Kentchurch, 
a member of a collateral branch of the Scudamores. 
The fame of Sir James Scudamore however will be most enduring, as having suggested the 
name of “the gentle Scudamour” of Spenser’s “ Faerie Queene .” (Books III. and IV.) 
His personal character for bravery, his name, and the family device “ Scutum amoris Divini ,” 
“ The Shield of Love, whose guerdon me hath graced,” 
suited the poet’s theme, and thus he has become immortalized : 
“ Blessed the man who well can use this blis : 
Whose ever be the Shield, faire Amoret be his.” 
(Faerie Queene , IV 10, 71.) 
Sir James Scudamore was also fond of letters, and was too, one of the most esteemed friends 
of Sir Thomas Bodley, and intimate with William Laud, at that time the President of St. John’s 
College, Oxford. These Oxford friendships of his father and grandfather, seem to have had very 
considerable influence on the early life of John, the most distinguished of the Scudamores. 
The only history of Lord Scudamore’s Life is given in a book which has now become very 
scarce. It is entitled “A view of the Ancient and Present State of the Churches of Door , Home- 
Lacy , and Hempsted” by Matthew Gibson, M.A., Rector of Door, 1720, and it was written, as the 
author plainly states, out of “ Gratitude to the memory” of Lord Scudamore. From this book and 
from the Scudamore MSS. at Holme Lacy, St. Michael’s Priory, Clehonger, and the British Museum, 
the following particulars have been chiefly derived. 
John Scudamore was born at Holme Lacy, a.d., 1600-1. He was at first educated at home 
under a domestic tutor. From his youth he displayed great natural ability and love of study. At 
the age of 16 he was sent to Oxford, after he had been already two years married, and entered at 
Magdalen College. Here he met Laud, who would naturally take great interest in his welfare, and 
who soon entertained for the young scholar an affection and respect, which ever increased in strength 
as years passed by. John Scudamore only remained one year in Oxford. At the early age of 17, 
doubtless, following the usual course of men of rank in those days, a license was obtained for him 
“ to travel in Foreign Parts for his better Experience and Knowledge of the Languages ” 1 2 
There is no published record of his travels, but he seems to have remained abroad for more than 
two years, and to have written an account of them. 3 He was brought back by the illness and death 
of his father, Sir James Scudamore, which took place on May 18th, 1619. 
The character of the young man was now well established. He had a charm and grace of 
manner which captivated all with whom he came in contact. Honours soon begun to fall thickly on 
1 This License to travel is now amongst the Scudamore MSS. at St. Michael’s Priory, Clehonger. It is dated Sept. 15th, 
1618, and is very curious and interesting, not only as shewing the necessity that existed in those days for such a License, but 
also as having the signatures of Lord Verulam ; Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury; E. of Worcester; Sir Edward Coke; 
Sir Robt. Naunton, and some other members of the Privy Council. 
2 Lord Scudamore’s Travels in 3 volumes, MS., were sold in 1828 by Mr. Evans, of Pall Mall, among Mr. Jede’s books, 
to Mr. Ash, of Cornhill, Bookseller (for Mr. Baring) for the sum of ^2 12s. 6d. (MS. penes Sir H. Scudamore Stanhope, 
Bart.) 
