Roger Wheler

 

Little is known about Roger Wheler (also spelt Whelar and Wheeler) who was appointed vicar of Cocking in 1557, following the deprivation of Sir Nicholas Kemys.

He is possibly the Roger Wheler born at Claines, near Worcester in 1524, who married Elizabeth Clarkston (or Clackerston) at Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire in October 1550. There was, however, another Sir Roger Wheler who was vicar of Brookthorpe near Gloucester from 1559 to his death in 1571.

Wheler served as vicar of Cocking until his death in 1574. In his will, he wished to be buried in the south side of the chancel at Cocking, although there is no record of his burial in the Cocking parish register which commenced in 1558; indeed, there is no mention of him at all in the parish register.