Russell, Francis, 2nd Earl of Bedford (1527 -1585)

Francis Russell was the only son of John, 1st Earl of Bedford, and Anne, daughter and heir of Sir John Sapcote. He was educated at King's Hall, Cambridge. He took part in the French expedition with his father in 1544. He was created a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Edward VI in 1547. He served as Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire from 1547 to 1552. Head of one of the enclosure commissions in 1548, he helped his father suppress the rebellion in the West in 1549. When his father was created Earl of Bedford, he was styled Lord Russell, and was called to the House of Lords under that title in 1552. He took an active part in the Siege of Boulogne, and succeeded his father in 1555. A Protestant, he escaped to Geneva during the reign of Mary. On Elizabeth's accession he was made a member of the Privy Council, took an active part in the religious settlement, and was one of those who assisted in the drawing up of the liturgy. He twice served as Ambassador to France, and was made a Knight of the Garter in 1564. He married twice, firstly Margaret St John, daughter of Sir John St John, and widow of Sir John Gostwick of Willington in Bedfordshire; and secondly, Bridget, Dowager Countess of Rutland, daughter of John, Lord Hussey.

Stamp(s) Stamp Information
Russell, Francis, 2nd Earl of Bedford (1527 - 1585) (Stamp 1) Title: Russell, Francis, 2nd Earl of Bedford (1527 - 1585) (Stamp 1)
Arms: Quarterly of seven I. Quarterly 1 & 4. A lion rampant (Russell) 2 & 3. A tower (De La Tour) II. Barry of eight a crescent for difference (Muschamp) III. Three herrings hauriant (Herring of Winterbourne) IV. A griffin sergeant between three cross crosslets (Froxmere) V. Three chevrons ermine (Wyse of Sydenham) VI. Three dovecotes a mullet for difference (Sapcote) VII. On a cross five mullets (Semark)
Order: Garter
Dimensions (height x width): 86mm x 66mm
Quarterings: Quarterly 1 & 4. A lion rampant (Russell) 2 & 3. A tower (De La Tour) II. Barry of eight a crescent for difference (Muschamp) III. Three herrings hauriant (Herring of Winterbourne) IV. A griffin sergeant between three cross crosslets (Froxmere) V. Three chevrons ermine (Wyse of Sydenham) VI. Three dovecotes a mullet for difference (Sapcote) VII. On a cross five mullets (Semark)
Coronet: Earl
Heraldic Charges: barry (8), Heraldic Charges: chevrons (3), Heraldic Charges: crosses crosslet (3), Heraldic Charges: cross, on a, Heraldic Charges: dovecotes (3), Heraldic Charges: griffin segreant, Heraldic Charges: herrings (3), Heraldic Charges: lion rampant, Heraldic Charges: mullets (5), Heraldic Charges: tower