Background
Arthur Agarde was born in Foston, Derbyshire in 1540.
Deputy-chamberlain and antiquary
Arthur Agarde was born in Foston, Derbyshire in 1540.
Agarde was trained as a lawyer.
Arthur Agarde entered the exchequer as a clerk. On the authority of Anthony à Wood it has been stated that he was appointed by Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to be deputy-chamberlain in 1570, and that he held this office for forty-five years. His patent of appointment, however, preserved in the Rolls Office, proves that he succeeded one Thomas Reve in the post on 11 July 1603.
Thomas Hearne, in his Collection of Curious Discourses written by Eminent Antiquaries (Oxford, 1720).
Arthur Agarde also write a large work on the Domesday Book titled Tractatus de usu et obscurioribus verbis libri de Doomsday (lit A Treatise on the Use and Meaning of the obscure Words in the Doomsday Book) as well as a guide book for his successors in office containing a catalogue of the records of the Treasury and an account of treaties with foreign nations.
With his friends, Sir Robert Cotton and William Camden, he was one of the original members of the Society of Antiquaries.
Agarde was married to Margaret, daughter of George Butler of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.