MRP: Colonel Proud
Colonel Proud
Funeral sermon
The Gentleman's magazine (1795, vol. 55, pt. 1) printed an extract from the sermon preached at William Proud's funeral in 1632. Ana ccompanying note states that he was slain at the siege of Masestricht, July 12, 1632, and that a sermon (on 2 Sam. III. 38) was preached at Canterbury Cathedral on September 20th, 1632 by Francis Rogers, D.D. Minister of St. Margaret's, Canterbury
"This valiant soldier first went, for his countrie's service, Portugall voyage. Then he served in the wars of Brittany. Thirdly he went to Cales voyage. Next, the iland voyage. Fifthly, he went into Ireland, where he was Colonel to a troope of horse, which being cashiered, he was made Lieutenant toa foote company. After all these travels and dangers, he went to Ostend, the most famous siege that ever was, or I thinke, ever will be. The enemy valiantly assaulted, the besieged valiantly repelled them. The then Generall, the honour of our nation in this latter age, noble Sir Francis Vere employed him, but being but a private gentleman, in a sally in which he got the first badge of his honour, being shot in the thigh with a musket bullet. And the Generall observing his valour, and his stout and discreete answere, tooke such a liking of him, as shortly after his returne he made him a Lieutenant, and in a little space after, he made him a Chieftaine; we lay aCaptaine, which he alwaies to his dying day would acknowledge, with a most thankefull mind, to the ground of all his honour and fortune. And such was his fidelity ever after to that noble Generall, as he would not endure any man to speak basely of him, or in the least measure to detract from his worth. Having gotten this honour, he so carried himself for valour, for diligence, for insight in his office, as that the late prince of Orange, of famous memory, and the now illustrious and victorious prince, and all the army, noted his worth and merit. And still he advanced himselfe to higher place, being made a serjeant-major of a regiment. and after that a lieutenant-collonell. He was not the end, but the beginning and foundation of his family. He hath so raysed his house, so that his heire may live nobly, and comfort himself with the prime gentlemen of his countrey." It is further said that "all the country round about, of the prime ranke, for knights, cleargy, and gentleman, with the grave citizens, and others, came to performe their last duety of civill humanity and christian charity to his deceased corps, brought to bee interred in his own citty and country."
A monument to his memory, with his effigy kneeling, is in St. Michael's chapel, erected by his surviving son, Searles Prude; on whichw e are told, that he "married Mary, daughter of Sir Adam Spracklin, knt. and had four sons and three daughters." There are also some verses, expressive of his piety as well as valour.
(Extract printed in Gentleman's magazine and historical chronicle, vol. 55, Part 1(London, 1785), pp. 349-350, taken from a sermon preached at his funeral in Canterbury Cathedral)
Image
Monumental figure of Lieut.-Col. William Proud in St. Michael's chapel, Canterbury Cathedral
- Black and white photograph in RIBA collection, photographer Edwin Smith, RIBA ref. no. 5624
Other references to follow up
See letter Mrs. Mary Proud to Lady Sprakeling, MS. 27, 999, f. 99. Mary Proud (nee Sprakeling) was married to Lieut.-Col. William Proud (als. Prude) (Dorothy K. Gardiner, 1933: 28). Gardiner states that Colonel Proud fought in Guelderland, and that Richard Oxinden, Sir George Oxenden's cousin, joined him (Dorothy K. Gardiner, 1933: xvii).
"While Colonel Proud was campaigning, his family lived at Garwinton in Bekesbourne, three miles from Canterbury, a property which he had purchased from Sir Henry Palmer. Mrs Proud also owned land on the North Downs above Denton, at what is now called "Wollage Green" (cf. Letter CII). "My Lady Proud", whose severe illness she describes was ..."(Dorothy K. Gardiner, 1933: 29)
Katherine, Lady Zouch, was the eldest daughter of Colonel William Proud, and married Sir Allan Zouch as his second wife. Her mother, Mary Sprakeling, was first cousin to Henry Oxinden of Barham (Dorothy K. Gardiner, 1937: 107, 109)
PROB 11/332 Penn 1-66 Will of Anne Prende or Prude of Canterbury Cathedral Precinct, Kent 17 January 1670
Possible secondary sources
Donagan, Barbara, 'Halcyon Days and the Literature of War: England's Military Education before 1642', Past & Present, No. 147 (May, 1995), pp. 65-100
- Mentions death of William Proud
