Robert Holborn
Encyclopedia
The family of Robert Holborne of Harwich have, with a few exceptions, been involved in shipbulding for centuries, continuing up until the 1930s. The earliest chronological reference found for any shipwright bearing the name ‘Holb(o/u)rn(e)’ is that of Robert Holborn who was granted Letters Patent
in 1543, along with Peter Pett
and others skillful in shipbuilding
. The authority for these letters patent was not by the usual Writ of Privy Seal, but Per Ipsum Regent, i.e., by "direct motion of the King," Henry VIII
.
Shipwrights were granted direct employment by the Crown. The first list of Master Shipwrights appointed by Patent by Henry VIII included John Smyth, Robert Holborn, Richard Bull, James Baker (father of Mathew Baker
) and Peter Pett. On 23 April 1548, Robert Holborn, Smyth and Bull received similar patents, and it was added that, as shipwrights, they should instruct others, by reason of their long and good service.
Shipwrights were in high demand during the 16th century, and sometimes many members of the same family engaged in the trade, such as the Pett family. Robert Holborn appears also to have come from a family of shipwrights. Early family wills place him among the Holborns of Erith, and he was likely an uncle or father to Richard Hoborn
of Chatham.
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
in 1543, along with Peter Pett
Peter Pett
Peter Pett, was an English Master Shipwright, and Second Resident Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard. He is noted for the incident concerning the protection of his scale models and drawings of the King's Fleet during the Dutch Raid on the Medway, in Kent in June 1667, during the Second Anglo-Dutch...
and others skillful in shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
. The authority for these letters patent was not by the usual Writ of Privy Seal, but Per Ipsum Regent, i.e., by "direct motion of the King," Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
Shipwrights were granted direct employment by the Crown. The first list of Master Shipwrights appointed by Patent by Henry VIII included John Smyth, Robert Holborn, Richard Bull, James Baker (father of Mathew Baker
Mathew Baker
Mathew Baker was one of the most renowned Tudor shipwrights, and the first to put the practice of shipbuilding down on paper.The first list of 'Master Shipwrights' appointed 'by Patent' by Henry VIII of England included 'John Smyth, Robert Holborn, Richard Bull and James Baker,' in 1537...
) and Peter Pett. On 23 April 1548, Robert Holborn, Smyth and Bull received similar patents, and it was added that, as shipwrights, they should instruct others, by reason of their long and good service.
Shipwrights were in high demand during the 16th century, and sometimes many members of the same family engaged in the trade, such as the Pett family. Robert Holborn appears also to have come from a family of shipwrights. Early family wills place him among the Holborns of Erith, and he was likely an uncle or father to Richard Hoborn
Richard Hoborn
Richard Hoborn was a shipbuilder of Kent, England during the 17th century.The first reference to him in the "Declared Accounts" of payments to a mastmaker at Chatham Dockyard in Kent is in 1619, when he and William Wyborne were paid "for making with HM materials a new mast," etc. for the Defiance...
of Chatham.