George Kirke

George Kirke, younger, was a page to Prince Henry. He became a Groom of the Chamber to Prince Charles in 1613.^[2] Kirke went to Spain in 1623 during Prince Charles' Spanish Match.^[3] The goldsmith George Heriot, who died in 1623, bequeathed to him either a diamond or piece of gold or silver plate worth £50.^[4]

He continued as a groom of the bedchamber to King Charles and gentleman of the robes.^[5] His accounts detail purchases of fabric and tailoring for the king.^[6] Kirke received £5000 to procure costumes for Love's Triumph Through Callipolis (1631) and possibly Albion's Triumph (1632). He accounting was criticised by William George.^[7] Kirke provided costume for the masque Coelium Britannicum in February 1634, and bought diamonds and pearls for robes worn on St George's day 1639.^[8]

A royal gift of lands at Gillingham, Dorset, at first held jointly with a courtier colleague James Fullerton, proved troublesome when tenants protested at their enclosures and improvements.^[9]

In 1662, he was made keeper of Whitehall Palace.^[10] He went to Spain with Prince Charles during the Spanish match of 1623.^[11] King James wrote that "Kirke and Gabriel" would bring additional jewels to Charles and Buckingham including Georges and garters, insignia of the royal order.^[12]

The court jeweller George Heriot bequeathed him a piece of silver plate or a diamond worth 50 marks Sterling.^[13]

He has been suggested as the author "G. K." of a poem addressed to Venetia Stanley, the wife of Kenelm Digby, "A Breef and Mysticall description of the Fayre and Statelye Venetia".^[14]

His, or his father's, eligibility as a Scot to sit as a Member of Parliament for Clitheroe in 1626 was challenged. George Kirke, gentleman of the robes, was naturalized as a denizen of England.^[15]

He died on 20 May 1675 and was buried at St Margaret's, Westminster.