Clement Lanier

Clement Lanier was an English musician and recorder player.

He was the son of Nicholas Lanier, the Elder and Lucretia Bassano, and hence uncle of Nicholas Lanier, the artist-musician. Clement Lanier was born circa 1590/92 in England, and was buried 6 Nov 1661 in Greenwich, Kent. The will was proved 3 Dec 1661 and registered 20 May 1662.

Clement Lanier was Gentleman of the King's Chamber to James I and Charles I. There were always several holders of the office, who were invariably gentlemen and almost invariably peers, often important ones, as the regular access to the monarch which the role brought was the most valuable commodity of the courtier. The duties of the office involved waiting on the King when he ate in private, helping him to dress, guarding the bedchamber and water closet, and providing companionship. From 1660 the office of first gentleman of the bedchamber was invariably combined with that of Groom of the Stool.

He was Musician in Ordinary on recorders 1625, and King's musician of wind instruments 1633-42. Clement Lanier and Hanna Collett married 17 April 1628 in the parish of St. Martin Ludgate, London, with a licence out of the faculties (see the Parish register). When Charles I was executed, the Laniers suffered financial setbacks and hardships while they supported the Prince of Wales (later Charles II) and his struggles to regain the throne.

Clement's nephew, Nicholas Lanier II (son of John and Frances, and grandson of Nicholas The Elder), had assembled a great art collection for their sovereign Charles I. During The Protectorate, the collection was dispersed at auction. Clement and his brother Jerome Lanier were able to purchase some of the paintings. After the English Restoration, the Laniers were able to regain some of their fortunes; Clement was Musician for the flute 1660-62. Clement and Hannah are the progenitors of both the American line of Laniers and the Barbados line.

Clement had 12 children:

1. Hannah Lanier (b. circa 1629; bapt. 13 Feb 1629/30, Greenwich; m. Thomas Swetnam 1665; credited with raising siblings after death of their mother.)

2. John Lanier (bapt. Oct 1631; d. circa 1683 in Prince George Co., VA, m. bef 1656 Lucreece in England, 2 children)

3. Susanna Lanier (bapt. 16 Jun 1633; died young)

4. Nicholas Lanier (bapt. 26 Mar 1635 Greenwich; d. 1665)

5. Susanna Lanier II (b. aft 1637; under age in 1658)

6. Lucretia Lanier (b. 17 Jan 1638; d. bef 1658)

7. Charles Lanier (b. circa 1640; d. 14 Feb 1651)

8. Robert Lanier (bapt. 22 May 1642 St. Alphege, Greenwich; d. Barbados or Virginia; m. Rebecca, 2 known children)

9. Lionel Lanier (bapt. 17 Feb 1643/44; d. 1665; bur. St. Benet & St. Peter's Church at Paul's Wharf)

10. Frances Lanier (b. 03 Apr 1646)

11. William Lanier (b. 14 Oct 1647)

12. Elizabeth Lanier (b. circa 1649)