Robert Dover
Encyclopedia
Robert Dover was an English attorney, author and wit, best known as the founder and for many years the director of the Cotswold Olimpick Games.
He was probably born between 1575 and 1582 in Norfolk
, one of four children sired by a John Dover, but as the parish registers in Great Ellingham
did not begin until 1630 it is impossible to be certain. Dover was a scholar at the University of Cambridge
in 1595, possibly as a sizar
at Queens' College
: during his time at Cambridge the "Gog Magog Games
" were held on the Gog Magog Hills outside Cambridge, although it is not known whether these were already being termed "Olympik" as was the case by 1620. Dover left university early to avoid swearing the Oath of Supremacy
, and a Robert Dover was among those questioned by Lord Burghley
's officers looking for recusants in Norfolk. On 27 February 1605 Dover was admitted to Gray's Inn
, and was probably called to the bar in 1611. Dover was known as a wit, and author of a lost poem The Wandering Jew: according to Peter Heylin
, a pageant put on at Gray's Inn
. In 1611 he moved to Saintbury, near Chipping Campden
. After the inauguration of the Games, he obtained patronage from neighbour Endymion Porter
, a well-connected courtier, who arranged for Dover to receive a cast-off set of royal garments to wear while presiding. Later in life he moved to Barton-on-the-Heath
.
Dover founded his annual Games held in the Cotwsold
hills above Chipping Campden in about 1612, and presided over them for forty years. A mixture of courtly and folk events, the Cotswold Olimpicks were so named in Annalia Dubrensia, one of a series of literary celebrations of the events. The Games were interrupted by the outbreak of the English Civil War
in 1642. Revived after the Restoration, the Games continued until 1852, and were again revived in 1965.
In 1610 Dover married Sibilla Sanford, daughter of William Cole
, Dean of Lincoln and widow of John Sanford of Stow on the Wold; they had two sons (Robert, died in infancy, and John, 1614–1696) and two daughters (Sibella and Abigail). Robert Dover was buried at Barton on 24 July 1652(the date of 6 June 1641 appears to be a mistake).
There is a monument to Robert Dover at Dover's Hill, near Aston-sub-Edge.
He was probably born between 1575 and 1582 in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, one of four children sired by a John Dover, but as the parish registers in Great Ellingham
Great Ellingham
Great Ellingham is a village situated in the Breckland District of Norfolk and covers an area of 1114 hectares with a population of 1108 as of UK census 2001, though the district's 2007 estimate suggests that this may have risen to 1165...
did not begin until 1630 it is impossible to be certain. Dover was a scholar at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in 1595, possibly as a sizar
Sizar
At Trinity College, Dublin and the University of Cambridge, a sizar is a student who receives some form of assistance such as meals, lower fees or lodging during his or her period of study, in some cases in return for doing a defined job....
at Queens' College
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
: during his time at Cambridge the "Gog Magog Games
Gog Magog Games
The Gog Magog Games or Gog Magog Olympiks were held annually on the Gog Magog Hills outside Cambridge in the 16th and 17th century.The games were held in the 16th and 17th century outside Cambridge. In 1574 Cambridge University issued an edict against students taking part in the games...
" were held on the Gog Magog Hills outside Cambridge, although it is not known whether these were already being termed "Olympik" as was the case by 1620. Dover left university early to avoid swearing the Oath of Supremacy
Oath of Supremacy
The Oath of Supremacy, originally imposed by King Henry VIII of England through the Act of Supremacy 1534, but repealed by his daughter, Queen Mary I of England and reinstated under Mary's sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England under the Act of Supremacy 1559, provided for any person taking public or...
, and a Robert Dover was among those questioned by Lord Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
's officers looking for recusants in Norfolk. On 27 February 1605 Dover was admitted to Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, and was probably called to the bar in 1611. Dover was known as a wit, and author of a lost poem The Wandering Jew: according to Peter Heylin
Peter Heylin
Peter Heylin or Heylyn was an English ecclesiastic and author of many polemical, historical, political and theological tracts. He incorporated his political concepts into his geographical books Microcosmus in 1621 and Cosmographie .-Life:He was born in Burford, Oxfordshire, the son of Henry Heylyn...
, a pageant put on at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
. In 1611 he moved to Saintbury, near Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is a small market town within the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It is notable for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th century to the 17th century...
. After the inauguration of the Games, he obtained patronage from neighbour Endymion Porter
Endymion Porter
Endymion Porter was an English diplomat and royalist.-Life:He was descended from Sir William Porter, sergeant-at-arms to Henry VII, and son of Edmund Porter, of Aston-sub-Edge in Gloucestershire, by his cousin Angela, daughter of Giles Porter of Mickleton, in the same county.He was brought up in...
, a well-connected courtier, who arranged for Dover to receive a cast-off set of royal garments to wear while presiding. Later in life he moved to Barton-on-the-Heath
Barton-on-the-Heath
Barton-on-the-Heath is a village and civil parish in the Stratford-on-Avon district of Warwickshire, England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 85. The village is in the extreme south of Warwickshire, close to the borders with Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire...
.
Dover founded his annual Games held in the Cotwsold
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are a range of hills in west-central England, sometimes called the Heart of England, an area across and long. The area has been designated as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
hills above Chipping Campden in about 1612, and presided over them for forty years. A mixture of courtly and folk events, the Cotswold Olimpicks were so named in Annalia Dubrensia, one of a series of literary celebrations of the events. The Games were interrupted by the outbreak of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
in 1642. Revived after the Restoration, the Games continued until 1852, and were again revived in 1965.
In 1610 Dover married Sibilla Sanford, daughter of William Cole
William Cole (Puritan)
William Cole was an English Puritan clergyman, president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford and Dean of Lincoln.A Protestant refugee from Marian England, Cole returned on Elizabeth accession and was appointed President of Corpus Christi in 1568, a controversial appointment, since most of the...
, Dean of Lincoln and widow of John Sanford of Stow on the Wold; they had two sons (Robert, died in infancy, and John, 1614–1696) and two daughters (Sibella and Abigail). Robert Dover was buried at Barton on 24 July 1652(the date of 6 June 1641 appears to be a mistake).
There is a monument to Robert Dover at Dover's Hill, near Aston-sub-Edge.