Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gilpin, Randolph
GILPIN, RANDOLPH (d. 1661), divine, came of that branch of the Gilpin family of Kentmere and Scaleby, which was seated at Bungay in Suffolk. His exact descent cannot be determined from the pedigree appended to William Gilpin's ‘Memoirs of Dr. Richard Gilpin,’ published by the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian Society in 1879. He was educated at Eton, from which he was elected in 1611 to King's College, Cambridge, and proceeded M.A. in 1618. He was poser in 1627 (Harwood, Alumni Eton. p. 213). He acted as chaplain to the fleet which sailed to the relief of Rochelle in 1628. During the same year he was presented by Francis Gilpin to the rectory of Barningham, Suffolk (Addit. MS. 19079, f. 81). He did not live very harmoniously with his parishioners. Disputes about certain alleged customs in tithing led to a multiplicity of suits in various courts of law. Gilpin thereupon petitioned the king, 17 Oct. 1637, praying that the whole matter might be referred to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Norwich (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1637, pp. 478–9). The cause came on for hearing in the inner Star-chamber, 24 Jan. 1636, when an order was made in adjustment of the tithes, but Gilpin did not escape a lecture from Laud on the duty of living in peace with his flock (ib. Dom. 1637–8, p. 183). During the Commonwealth he occupied himself in the composition of a little work which he dedicated to Eton School; it is entitled ‘Liturgica Sacra; Curru Thesbitico, i.e. Zeli inculpabilis vehiculo deportata, & viâ devotionis Regiâ deducta a Rand. Gilpin, Sacerd. Vel, Opsonia spiritualia omnibus verè Christianis, etiam pueris degustanda,’ 8vo [London?], 1657. At the Restoration he was created D.D. by royal mandate (Graduati Cantabr.) He also obtained from the king the rectory of Worlingham, Suffolk, 10 May 1661 (Addit. MS. 19112, f. 246 b). He died a bachelor in 1661. His will, dated 9 Nov. 1661, requests that he may be buried in St. Mary's Church, Bungay.
[Authorities as above.]