Archive:The Ancestry of John Whitney, Chapter V
From WRG
Melville, Henry, A.M., LL.B., The Ancestry of John Whitney: Who, with His Wife Elinor, and Sons John, Richard, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Jonathan, Emigrated from London, England, in the Year 1635, and Settled in Watertown, Massachusetts; the First of the Name in America, and the One from Whom a Great Majority of the Whitneys Now Living in the United States Are Descended (New York, NY: The De Vinne Press, 1896).
CHAPTER V
THE WHITNEYS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY
James Whitney; marriage to Blanche Milbourne; her ancestry and
possessions. Description of Icomb. James Whitney, Receiver of
Newport, 1521-22. James Whitney, Sewer for the Chamber, 1516;
Receiver-General, etc., 1530. Robert Whitney of Icomb; marriage;
in charge of estate of Duke of Buckingham, 1523; Commissioner of
Peace for Gloucestershire, 1524; Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 1527,
'28, '29, '30; nominated Knight of the Bath at Coronation of Anne
Boleyn, 1533; pensioned from Monastery lands, 1535; "Attendant
upon the King's person," in war of 1536, supplying forty men;
death, 1541; will. John Whitney, the "bedfelloe" of Roger As-
cham. Robert Whitney knighted, 1553; summoned by privy council,
1555, 1559; in Parliament, 1559; marriage; ancestry of his wife
Sybil Baskerville; quarterings of Whitney Arms; Inquest post
mortem, 1567. James Whitney knighted, 1570; Sheriff, 1574, 1586,
1587; Suitor for hand of Barbara Gamage; death, 1587; will.
CONTEMPORARIES.
Persons. Events.
King Henry VII. 1485-1509. Battle of Flodden Field 1513.
King Henry VIII. 1509-1547. Beginning of Reformation . 1517.
King Edward VI. 1547-1553. Conquest of Mexico 1519.
Queen Mary 1553-1558. Fall of Wolsey 1529.
Queen Elizabeth 1558-1603. Execution of Anne Boleyn . . 1536.
Martin Luther. . . . b. 1483, d. 1546. Persecution of Protestants, 1553-58.
Thomas Wolsey . b. 1471, d. 1530. Massacre of St. Bartholomew .1572.
Thomas Cranmer . b. 1489, d. 1556. Rise of Dutch Republic 1579.
Thomas Cromwell . b. 1490, d. 1540. First Colonists in Virginia . .1585.
Mary Queen of Scots, b. 1542, d.1587. Conquest of Spanish Armada, 1588.
Sir Walter Raleigh, b. 1552, d. 1618. Edict of Nantes 1598.
116
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 117 THE head of the Whitney family in the early years of the sixteenth century was James, or, as Judge Cooke, perhaps improperly, calls him, "Sir James Whitney of Whitney Court."1 With him begins a pedigree, proved, 1634, in the College of Arms, where the original manuscript still is. According to this, a copy of which is in the Appendix, he married Blanche, fourth daughter and co-heir of Simon Milbourne, a lady of wealth and of a lineage so distinguished as to be worthy of careful attention. Sir John Eynesford (or Eylesford), elected a repre- sentative for Herefordshire in ten Parliaments, died leaving an only child, Elizabeth, who inherited his very considerable estate. Elizabeth Eynesford married Sir Piers Milbourne of Lincolnshire, by whom she had an only child, John. John Milbourne married, in 1434, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Sir Walter Devereux, and died leaving one child, Simon. Elizabeth survived him for many years. On their tombstone was this inscription: "John Milbourne, who was Peter's heir, A Squire was he, and lyeth here. And eke his wife, Lord Devereux daughter Who here was buried forty years after." 1 Cooke's "History of Herefordshire," Hundred of Grimsworth, p. 52. From the Conquest till the wars of the Roses, knighthood, though be- stowed by the sovereign on each individual with appropriate ceremo- nies, in a leading county family like that of Whitney was, to all intents and purposes, hereditary, like the title of Baronet at the present day. Each head of the family, if he had not before gained it by distin- guished public service, received it on succeeding to the estate. During
118 The Ancestry of John Whitney Simon Milbourne, twice Sheriff of Herefordshire, increased his fortune by marrying an heiress, Jane, only child of Ralph, a younger son of Sir John Basker- ville, and died leaving only daughters, who thus in- herited through both their parents. One of these daughters was Blanche, who married James Whitney. Sir John Eynesford, = Christian, daughter of M. P. ten times, | Sir Gerard de Furnival. |_______ | Sir Piers Milbourne, = Elizabeth. | _____________| | John Milbourne, = Elizabeth, daughter of | Sir Walter Devereux. _________| | Simon Milbourne, = Jane, daughter of | Ralph Baskerville. |__ | James Whitney, = Blanche. Lady Whitney's maternal ancestors wore equally distinguished. Sir John Blackett (or Blaket), of Icomb in Glouces- tershire, who fought at Agincourt, married Margaret, daughter of Sir John Eynesford, above mentioned, and died in 1431, by his will bequeathing his body "to the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin in the church at Icomb," and leaving as his heiress a daughter, Anne. Anne Blackett married Ralph Baskerville, son of Sir John Baskerville, and had an only daughter, Jane. Jane Baskerville married Simon Milbourne and had a daughter, Blanche, who married James Whitney.
TOMB OF SIR JOHN BLACKETT.
In the Parish Church at Icomb.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 119
Sir John Blackett, = Margaret, daughter of
of Icomb, | Sir John Eynesford.
|__
|
Ralph Baskerville, = Anne.
|_
|
Simon Milbourne, = Jane.
|___
|
James Whitney, = Blanche.
Her descent through the Baskervilles is also worth
tracing.
This family was founded by a knight who came
over with William the Conqueror, fought at Senlac,
and was one of those named in the famous roll of
Battle Abbey. He settled at Eardisley Castle, near
Whitney, and his descendants intermarried with the
best West of England families, served as Sheriffs of
Herefordshire twenty-one times, and were elected
Knights of the Shire eleven times.
Sir John Baskerville, who fought at Agincourt,
married Elizabeth, daughter of John Brugge, of
Letton and Staunton in Herefordshire, and died,
leaving a second son, Ralph, who married Anne,
daughter of Sir John Blackett.
Sir John Baskerville = Elizabeth, daughter and
| heiress of John Brugge.
____________|
|
Ralph Baskerville, = Anne, daughter of
| Sir John Blackett.
|________
|
Simon Milbourne, = Jane Baskerville.
|______
|
James Whitney = Blanche Milbourne.
120 The Ancestry of John Whitney Through this marriage with an heiress, the last of a line of heiresses, the Whitneys added to their ar- morial shield a number of quarterings from the fami- lies whose names had become extinct--of which more will be said later--and gained, with other property, the beautiful old manor-house at Icomb, built about A. D. 1400, by Sir John Blackett, whose marble effigy can still be seen in a chapel attached to the parish church close by. The following description of the monument, shown in the accompanying photograph, is from the pen of Rev. David Royce, A. M., Vicar of Nether Swell, Gloucestershire, a distinguished antiquarian: It is, says Mr. Royce, a recessed tomb with a straight- sided arch, handsomely and doubly cusped. The tomb has in front seven arched niches, and one at each end. In each niche a figure. In the centre the Eternal Father support- ing the Crucifix. On either side are two kneeling figures, the one, the knight; the other, his wife in horned head- dress. On either side of these, again, are angels bearing shields--in the two outer niches, their respective patron saints, S. John the Baptist, and S. Margaret. The knight is thus accoutred: his head (encased in a bassinet to which is fastened the camail or tippet of chain- work) rests on his tilting helmet, surmounted by his crest-- a cap of maintenance with a horse's or ass's ears erect, like feathers on either side. Over a habergeon or skirt of chain mail, a jupon, charged with armorial bearings, viz., Quar- terly, 1 and 4, az., a bond between 6 cross crosslets, or, tre- rolls fitche'e or, Blaket; 2 and 3, gules, 3 Danish axes, or, Hackluit. They are not halberds, as Nash supposes, for Lewston. Three e'paulie'res, or overlapping plates, edged or picked out with gold, protect the shoulders--rerebraces and vambraces sheath the arms--the collar of knighthood, with trefoil clasp, adorns the neck (ergo Sir John)--the
GROUND PLAN.
PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.
A. Hall. B. Withdrawing-room. C. Courts. D. Parlour. B. Gateway.
F. Servants' Hall. G. Cellar. B+ Chapel. I. Solar.
ICOMB PLACE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 121
legs are enclosed in plate--the genouille'res are fan-shaped
like the elbow-pieces--sollerets and spurs arm the feet,
resting against a dog--on the right side is an anelace or
misericorde attached to a baudric, passing horizontally over
the hip, and (what is unusual) a studded belt, passing diag-
onally from the waist, carries the sword on the left side.
The hands are clasped in prayer. There is something very
striking in these effigies. The soldier dies in panoply as
each soldier of Christ should die. Then there is the repose
of the figure--the meek uplifting of the hands in prayer,
as "if the last moment of life were spent in imploring the
mercy so soon to be needed." The still, solemn, reverent
posture, befits the sanctity of the place where the memorial
is enshrined. The attitude of the effigy--a continuing
symbol of the attitude of the spirit, discharged from the
war, expectant, ever praying for the accomplishing of the
number of the elect and the hastening of the Kingdom.
The same learned gentleman, in a paper read be-
fore the Worcester Diocesan Architectural Society,
August 11, 1869, thus describes the manor-house:
ICOMB PLACE
Is a venerable memorial of the stability and grandeur
of England in olden time. This building is a rare type of
the "places" of gentlefolk in the fifteenth century.
It is not remarkable for any contrivances or arrange-
ments for defence. There are the remains, indeed, of a deep
broad moat, fed by springs from the neighboring hill--ex-
cavated perhaps for the defence of a former stronghold
upon this same spot. The aspect of the present house, on
the south side, is commanding, overlooking (what may be
termed) a ravine. On the west, however, the house itself
is overlooked and commanded by one of the spurs of the
Cotswolds. It was built or rebuilt in the fifteenth century,
when mansions had begun to lay aside their warlike char-
122 The Ancestry of John Whitney acteristics, and to adopt the more comfortable arrange- ments of the Tudor period. The plan of Icomb Place is quadrangular, yet not true to the square. The west side of the first quadrangle is several feet wider than the east. This irregularity has not arisen, apparently, from more recent alterations. They were not, perhaps, very nice on such a point in olden times. As regards the condition of the house, it is one of decay and desolation. Still it is a matter of congratulation that the shell survives, and that so much remains to furnish a clue to its original arrangement. On approaching the house for the first time, the eye is surprised and attracted by the portal, which--projecting a little from the main building, flanked by buttresses, and surmounted by a handsome traceried window, with an em- battled parapet in line with the eaves of the roof--has much the effect of a gateway tower. The mouldings of the gateway are bold and characteristic. The four-centred arch is of the depressed form. The original gates still retain their position: they are of oak, framed, ledged, and stud- ded with nails. The window above the gateway is light and graceful, al- though not enriched with cusps. It consists of four lights --a central and bolder mullion dividing these into pairs. The arch of each light is ogeed. The tracery is composed of eight elongated oval openings, with label knees from the cornice over. The windows in the front wall were originally seven. Four to the right of the gateway--two in the upper story, of two lights, plain arched, square-headed, and labelled; and two of three lights of the same description below. The three to the left of the gateway, viz., one next to the latter (perhaps a look-out window), and two others to the east (one above, the other below), are of the same character as those just mentioned, only without labels. Two later win- dows have been inserted to light a more recent stair. All
ICOMB PLACE.
The Gateway.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 123 these windows, excepting the one over the gateway, once ornamental with artistic glazing, and the heraldic or storied pane, arc now walled up. The original shutters remain. Two tall square chimnies, on this north side, spring from the wall midway, as on a bracket. Those are well conceived, relieving the front from flatness, and breaking the line of the long roof, which is terminated at each end by a coped gable. On entering the gateway, right and left are doorways Tudor-headed--the one, left, opening into, probably, the porter's lodge, or an apartment for the domestics. This room is lighted by the two windows in the north front (left of the gateway already described), and by a two-light win- dow of later date to the east, or end wall. A door at the south-east corner opens into the store-room or cellar' of the establishment. The occupants of this room were of a sturdy and devoted spirit, to judge by one specimen. In a View of Frankpledge (most kindly lent me by C. S. Whitmore, Esq., of I.. Slaughter,) held in 2 Henry V., Richard Tybaray, bailiff of the hundred, presented Nicholas, servant of John Blaket, for resisting him in the discharge of the functions of his office, and for drawing his dagger upon him, for which burst of feeling, said Nicholas was fined 20d., accord- ing to the value of the dagger. This room is provided with a good fireplace. The door on the opposite side of the gateway opens into a large apartment lighted by four windows, two looking north (already noticed), a larger one in the west gable of four lights, and the fourth, of a single compartment look- ing south into the quadrangle. Here again we find a sub- stantial stone fireplace. This may have been the general room of the family. If so (and if of the date of Sir John Blaket, the hero of Agincourt) here,--with Margaret, daugh- ter of Sir Ralph Hastings, whose maternal arms were once in the chantry window--and subsequently with Margaret Wroughton or Worstan (his second wife, and probably a daughter of Sir John Eynsford), and with their children
124 The Ancestry of John Whitney Edmond and Anne Blaket--and in his later days with Elizabeth Trillowe (his third wife, and widow of Sir Thomas Wilcotes),--Sir John Blaket, released from the toils and perils of war, enjoyed domestic seclusion and repose. And all imposing group it was, if Margaret in Nosely Church, Leicestershire, or Elizabeth Blaket in Northleigh, Oxon, be faithfully represented by their effigies--(See Skelton's "Oxfordshire" for an engraving of the latter exquisite sculp- ture)--or Sir John by the figure in the chantry of Icomb Church--or, again, if this were the domestic apartment, a lively scene it was, when Simon Milbourne of Icomb (who married Sir John Blaket's grand-daughter) with his eleven daughters lived and moved within it. We pass from a this room by a door in the south wall to another somewhat spacious apartment, forming the west side of the quadrangle. The first thing which catches the eye is an oriel (more striking externally) carried up the whole height of the building. Next to this oriel is a large six-light window of good workmanship, enriched with cusps. There is a fireplace opposite, and a winding stone stair in the south-west corner of this room, leads up to the chapel. In the south wall, near the east angle, is a Tudor- headed doorway into the grand dining-hall. This was prob- ably a gathering room or ante-room to the hall,--or it may have been a private dining room in the which the knight and his successors preferred a more quiet repast. Then the oriel at the end might answer, on a small scale, to those in larger dining halls,--or it may have been a nook into which people might retire for a quiet gossip, or for a little Gothic flirtation. From this room, by the above door, we enter the spa- cious and lofty hall, lighted by two fine transomed windows, with oval openings in the head on the north, and by one on the south, of similar design to the one over the gateway. The southern window has been converted into a door-way, in the splay of which is fixed a circular plain stoup, which looks too fresh to have been an ancient appendage to the
ICOMB PLACE, INTERIOR OF FIRST COURT.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 125 hall. A capacious fireplace exists near the dais-end in the southern wall. At the east end is a screen with two en- trances, but this is later work of James I's time. In this hall is still a fine table, 22 ft. 8 in. long, 33 in. broad, 5 in. thick, of Which 17 ft. 4 in. is one solid piece. The fine wain- scot in the porter's lodge and other parts of the building, with draped or linen pattern panels, probably came out of the hall. In one corner stands an important consequential weapon--a halbert, with crescent axe, and hooked beak, with square pole ironed and studded--a relic of the gran- deur and ceremonial of Tudor times. After this dry archi- tectural detail, may Imagination play her part? Then would she people this grand place with stately lady and stalwart knight, with the dignified and venerable Abbot of Bruerne, ever a welcome guest--with gentle priest--with gallant esquire--with grave official--and busy servant. There presided Sir John Blaket in damask gown--having laid aside the stiffness and stateliness of the knight for the graces of courtesy and hospitality. Fish, flesh, and fowl, and pasties of the doe, are brought in with solemn pomp. The "crater argenteus vocatus the great belle of silver, the quarter-potte of silver" (bequeathed to the Abbot of Bru- erne), sparkle with Ippocrits or Malvoisie. The conversa- tion runs on the party politics of those unsettled days--ere long it turns to martial scenes--the recital of some feat of military daring stirs the blood, and then, old walls, did ye not ring with a lusty cheer for English prowess, of brave men and good soldiers, ever lavish of their very life for England's security and fame. Then, in turn, softer music of minstrels in the gallery (over the screen) modifies the noise below-whilst trophies--on the walls, won in perilous campaign, or banners bearing the insignia of the family, seem to flutter and rustle in unison and sympathy. But from romance to reality. Leaving the hall, we find our- selves in the passage connecting the quadrangles. At the end, opening into the front quadrangle, is a fine sharp- pointed Perpendicular door, with jambs moulded halfway
126 The Ancestry of John Whitney
down, and with shields and tracery in the spandrils. At
the other end a plainer door. This passage, called "the
screens," divides the hall from the buttery. The hatch still
remains, at which we must again imagine what stores were
dispensed to the cook--what rations to the domestics--
and, better still, what bounty to the poor.
To the north of the buttery, forming the east side of the
front quadrangle, were the celler and larder--the impor-
tant store-house of the establishment. The kitchen appears
to have been beyond the buttery, forming the east side of
the second quadrangle, and now part of the modern resi-
dence. The south and west sides of the second quadrangle
are now used as offices. In this quadrangle, on the west
side, was, perhaps, the bakehouse, mentioned in Edmond
Blaket's will. In the south-west corner of this quadrangle,
now used as a back-kitchen, is a wide open fireplace, with a
massive timber mantel; and a never-failing supply of water
from the neighboring spring.
The First Floor.
We will now retrace our steps to the south-west corner
of what has been called the withdrawing-room. There the
stone stair, afore-mentioned, conducts into what tradition
has handed down as the Chapel. For our forefathers cared
not, alone, for their own animal gratification and comfort,
and temporal dignity, nor for the mere shelter and support,
board and lodging, of their dependents. They were equally
careful for the spiritual welfare of all. Most houses of any
size had one portion set apart for God. There the domestic
chaplain officiated night and day. There the members of
the household congregated. This room, too, would be as a
bond of peace knitting all hearts in Icomb Place together.
The well-spring of repose it was amidst time excitement pe-
culiar to those days. Here uplifted heart and hand would
feel themselves relaxed, yet braced for future exploit. This
chapel has a good window of three lights in the east wall,
ICOMB PLACE.
Upper portion of the projection in the northwest angle of the first Court.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 127 well moulded and boldly cusped, like the window in the withdrawing-room below. The mouldings are of similar sections with the window in the chantry. Close by this window, to the left, is the upper and more elaborate portion of the oriel before mentioned. It 'nay have served the pur- pose of a small private oratory, or it may have been a tri- bune, or kind of family pew. The window of the chapel appears to have been splayed away, with reference to this singular projection. Close by the entrance from the stone stairs is a door opening into a room, south of the chapel, set apart, per- haps, for the chaplain. On the left of the fireplace in this room, a square window, low down, communicates with the chapel. Or may this room have been the sick room of the Place, and this opening answer to those in the hospital of S. Cross ? The heads of two priests are carved on the cor- nice of the oriel, outside, together with the head of a lady in mitred head-dress, and of a gentleman in a cap or hat with fall. There is a fireplace in the chapel with oaken kerb. The roof of the chapel is of the barrel or waggon kind--the rafters massive and close, each with an arched rib like those in the chantry aisle of the church (if laid bare), or those in New College cloisters. From the chapel we pass (by the garderobe on the left), into the room of the Place. Originally the solar--a gal- lery--a place of resort for dancing and amusements. It is a very long room, reaching the whole length of the build- ing, originally. It is a magnificent room. Here is a fine specimen of the timber roof of the period, with its prin- ciples, purlings, and broad curved braces. A flat panelled ceiling appears to have been introduced, probably for warmth's sake, at a subsequent period, of which the hori- zontal beams alone remain. The stair with its partitions, now dividing this room, seems of later date. These par- titions look as if they had been brought from the Hall. Two rooms were formed out of one to make things more snug. The two windows, to the right of the principal
128 The Ancestry of John Whitney
gateway, as before stated, were inserted to light this
newly constructed stair. Each of these rooms has a fire-
place--or there were two fireplaces in the original solar,
which was lighted by six windows--one in each gable--
one of two lights looking into the quadrangle--two on the
north, already noticed, with the window over the gateway.
The internal finish of this window is to be admired, with its
intra-mural arch and open spandrils. And, if Fancy may
be allowed to introduce herself again, in such a matter-of-
fact thing as an archaeological survey, she would fill this
room, on some grand gathering, festive occasion, or high
day, with the illustrious throng of the then neighboring
great--such as Hastings of Daylesford, Baskervilles of
Coombe, Cliffords, Bassets--ladies of dignified yet gentle
mien--men, noble in descent, sage in council, and daring
in action--the pride and flower of English chivalry.
A door at the south-east corner of this room admits into
the east side of the quadrangle--perhaps the sleeping
apartments. Here are the bedrooms of the present inhab-
ited portion, accessible by stairs of later date, close to the
buttery hatch. In one of the rooms is a fine Jacobean fire-
place, which, with the outside appearance of this part, would
make one suppose that the room, in later times, had been
an up-stairs withdrawing-room. The iron work of the win-
dows is noticeable, particularly the ingenious latch and bolt
arrangement. In a pane of the window of this room is the
following couplet:
"June, 1691.
"Let others learn to live, there's nothing I
Esteem worth learning but the way to die.
Sept. 8, 1691. H. Cope."
London to Icomb
On another pane which has disappeared--
"June, 1688.
"Sanat, vivificat, Ditat quoque
Surgere mane'. II. Cope."
ICOMB PLACE.
Doorway into the passage at the end of the Dining-Hall.
South side of first Court.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 129 There are attics above, now without floors. On the end wall of one is drawn, in chocolate, in full sail, a three-mast ship. One over the east end of the hall is called Dyke's chamber. The present proprietor, Mr. S. M Simpson, has re- cently restored the building, and, repairing the rav- ages of five hundred years, occupies it as a residence, the most beautiful of any in the surrounding country. The photographs shown give some idea of its appear- ance, but not much of its situation, which is on high ground in the Cotswold hills, commanding a view toward the east and north for many miles. To James and Blanche Whitney, according to the Harleian Manuscripts, wore born four children, viz.: (1) Robert, their heir; (2) James, spoken of at length below; (3) Watkin, who married Margaret, daughter and heir of Jenkin Reese of Clyro in Radnorshire, and (4) Elizabeth, who married Thomas Morgan of Arkston, and was the mother of Anne, who married Henry Carey, Lord Hunsdon, K. G., who played so important a part in politics during the reign of Eliza- beth, and lies buried in Westminster Abbey. While some of these children were young James died, and it seems that his widow soon married Sir William Herbert, Knight, of Troy in Monmouthshire, a dis- tinguished man, by whom she had two sons, Sir Charles Herbert, Knight, and Sir Thomas Herbert, Knight. It is so stated in Harleian Manuscript No. 1041, Visitation of Gloucestershire, 1623, in British Museum; and in Cooke's "Hundred of Grimsworth," page 52. The other Harleian Manuscripts represent her as a widow when she married Whitney. Which- ever are correct, Whitneys, and not Herberts, in- herited her lands.
130 The Ancestry of John Whitney Of James Whitney the elder, comparatively little is known. He may have died too young to have achieved public position. There is, however, one record that probably refers to him, though some have connected it with his son, James, Jr. Henry VIII. began his reign, so distinguished for extraordinary events, in 1509. In his twelfth year, 1520, the country was thrown into great excitement by the arrest of Edward, Duke of Buckingham, un- der a charge of treason, followed by his conviction and execution on May 17, 1521. The Duke had been one of the most influential and wealthy men in Eng- land, owning vast estates in eleven English coun- ties, to say nothing of possessions almost equally great in Wales. Upon his arrest all these were Se- questered and placed in the hands of those who happened at the time to stand highest in royal favor. Next after his Castle of Thornburg in value was his Borough of Newport in the Marches, "with its haven full of shipping and a proper Castle with three towers close to the water's edge, the middlest tower having a vault or entry to receive into the said Cas- tle a good vessel." This, in the distribution, fell to "James Whitney." There is, among the state papers, a record of a letter, written January 20, 1521-22, by John Daunce and John Hales, the King's General Surveyors, to "Jas. Whitney, Receiver of the lordship of Newport in the Marches of Wales, or to Thomas ap Morgan, his deputy." A little later, as we shall see, both his sons, Robert and James, Jr., were appointed to similar offices. There is no information obtainable as to whether they found them profitable, but contemporary "Re-
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 131 ceivers" were reputed to have acquired fortunes thereby. As this James, Jr., became a man of some promi- nence in public affairs, it will be well to devote a lit- tle space to him before telling the story of his elder brother Robert. In 1516, at the Court of Henry VIII., among the "Names of the King's Officers and Servants, sworn to attend in his Chamber" as "Sewers for the Cham- ber ordinary," are mentioned: "Roger Banbrigge, Jas. Whitney, Anth. Isley, James Hill, John Barney and Ric. Gifford."1 From this we can be certain that he was a young man of superior personal appearance, for Henry was noted for having none but large and handsome men about him. He seems to have been appreciated to a remarkable degree, for, as appears from the following, he was fairly loaded with honors. By Patent Roll, Privy Seals, p.1, m. 19, in Record Office, under date of 21 Henry VIII., March 12, 1530, "Jas. Wytteney, one of the Sewers of the Chamber," was commissioned "Receiver General of the lordships of Uske, Kererlion and Tryllok, parcel of the Earl- dom of March in South Wales; Constable of the lordship of Tregruk; Beadle and Coroner of Edle- gon; and Receiver of the lordships of Newport, Wen- loge and Mayhen, in the Marches of South Wales," vice Thomas ap Robert, deceased. It further appears, by Patent of February 4, 29 1 Royal MSS. 7 F. xiv., No.100, in British Museum.
132 The Ancestry of John Whitney Henry VIII. (1538), p.3, m 38d, that "Henry, Earl of Worcester, Charles Herbert, James Whitney, Ric. Gold- smyth and William ap John ap Evan"1 were ap- pointed commissioners to make Inquisition Post Mortem, in the lordship of Carlyan, in Netherwene, South Wales, on the lands and heir of Thos. Bowles. On the 23d of the following month Whitney was granted an annuity of £15 per annum, issuing from the manors of Carlishelton, in Marches of South Wales, late of "Wm. Griffith, deceased, in the King's hands by the minority of George and Ann, children and heir's of the said Wm., with wardship and mar- riage of said heirs." He made his residence at Troy, in Monmouthshire, quite likely with his stepfather, and died there, un- married, in 1544, leaving by will all his property to his half-brothers Charles and Thomas Herbert, whom he appointed executors.2 Turning now to Robert Whitney, the elder brother, we find that he married Margaret, the daughter of Robert Wye of Gloucestershire, thus allying himself to one of the best families of that county, and took up his abode, quite likely before his father's death, in the manor-house, at Icomb. His name is mentioned in a great number of the state papers of the reign of Henry VIII., the follow- ing being the more important: In 15 Henry VIII. (July, 1523) an account was filed by the commissioners having in charge the confis- cated lands of the late Duke of Buckingham, who 1 William, son of John, son of Evan--the ordinary style of a Welsh name. This man's son would be known as ap William ap John. 2 Will dated May 23, 1544. Proved in Prerogative Court of Canter- bury, July 5, 1544.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 133 reported that they had placed the stewardship of "Breknoke, Hay and Huntington" in the hands of "Llewellyn ap Morgan, Hugh Mervyn, John Wal- bieff, Robt. Whyteney, Jas. and Roger Vaughn." Of Hay and Huntington, both close to the parish of Whitney, we have already spoken. Brecknock is thus described by J. S. Brewer, in his introduction to the calendar of the state papers of that reign, quoting from ancient writers: A very proper walled town, well builded, and as well paved, with many honest inhabitants in the same; enclosed on the west side thereof with the Castle, which is a good and strong hold, with all houses of offices and lodgings builded after the old fashion. The Castle had a hall, the roof of which was newly and costly made with pendants after a goodly fashion, and into the said Castle water was conveyed by a conduit. Adjoining was a forest and a great mere in length nigh three miles and in breadth a mile, well replenished with fish and specially with breames. In 16 Henry VIII. (May 2, 1524) "Rob. Wytney" was put in commission of the peace for Gloucester- shire, and continued to be a magistrate, as appears from more than a score of documents, for the rest of hi life, and as such took part, on several important occasions, in "Gaol Deliveries at Gloucester Castle." In 19 Henry VIII. (Nov.16, 1527) he was commis- sioned sheriff of Gloucestershire, and again Novem- ber 7, 1528, November 21, 1529, and November 11, 1530. The most interesting record, however, is in 1533, on the occasion of Henry's marriage With Anne Boleyn. "Additional," Manuscript, No. 21116 f. 48 in Brit-
134 The Ancestry of John Whitney
ish Museum, treating of this occasion, has the fol-
lowing:
The Appointment what number of officers and servitors
that shall attend upon the Queen's Grace, the Bishop and
ladies, sitting at the Queen's board in the Great Hall at
Westminster, the day of the coronation as followeth:
* * * * * * *
KNIGHTS OF THE BATH--Marquis of Dorset; earl of
Derby; lords Clifford, Fitzwater, Hastings, Mountegle and
Vaux; Mr. Parker, lord Morley's son; Mr. Wynsor, lord
Wynsor's son; John Mordant, lord Mordant's son; Fras.
Weston, Thomas Arundell, Mr. Corbet, Mr. Wyndham, John
Barkeley, John Haddelston, Ric. Verney of Penley, Thos.
Bonynges, Hen. Savile, John Germayne, Rob. Whitneye of
Gloucestershire, Geo. Fitzwilliams, John Tyndale.
It appears1 that six out of this number, including
Whitney, did not accept the honor of the highest
grade of knighthood thus offered to them.
What was his reason for declining we can only
conjecture. He may have been ill at the time and
unable to attend at court, or possibly, like many
other conscientious men in England, he thought the
marriage unlawful and therefore did not Care to
have any connection with it.
His declination must have been made with tact,
for he continued in favor, and on September 30,
1535, when the famous suppression of the religious
houses began, had granted to him a part of the in-
come arising from the property lately belonging to
the Monastery of Brewerne.
From his action with reference to the Church of
Rome, Henry, in 1536, found himself with a serious
1 Harleian Manuscript No. 41, f. 2.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 135
rebellion on his hands in Lincolnshire. The sup-
pression of it Was entrusted to the Earl of Derby,
and there is still in existence, at the Record Office, a
memorandum, in his handwriting, of "The names of
such noblemen and gentlemen as be appointed to at-
tend upon the King's person, in the army that was
being raised. Opposite each man's name is placed
the number of men he furnished, including
"Glouc. ROBT. WITNEY, 40."
Further along Whitney is mentioned in a list of
those to whom personal letters were to be written.
There is also in the Record Office a curious lot of
memoranda in the hand of Roland Lee, Bishop of
Coventry and Lichfield, made about the same time,
called "Remembrances." The sixth was
To remember the farm of Rolright, Co. Gloucester, be-
longing to the Monastery of Ensam Oxf. which Mr. Whitney
hath, that it would please Mr. Secretary to help Lewes, my
servant, to the same.
This means that he was going to write to the prime
minister, Cromwell, to try to get away from Whitney
a lease of some of the confiscated monastery lands,
doubtless, as most such things were in those days, a
matter of favor and a particularly profitable thing
for the holder. The attempt was unsuccessful, for
it appears that Robert had the land at the time of
his death.
He died in 1541, leaving a widow and nine children,
viz.: 1, Robert; 2, John; 3, Charles; 4, George; 5,
William; 6, James; 7, Richard; 8, Blanche; 9, Mary;
136 The Ancestry of John Whitney not counting two other acknowledged sons who wore illegitimate. His will was proved in the Prerogative's Court of Canterbury, and is still of record in Somerset House, London, as follows: THE LAST WILL OF ROBERT WHITNEY, Esquire, Dated 10 May 33d Henry VIII. [1541] Proved 11 June, 1541. (P. C. C. 30, Alenger) In dei nomine Amen. I, ROBERT WHITNEY of Icombe in the County of Glouc' Esquier being of hole mynde the Tenthe day of maye in the XXXIIId yere of the Raigne of oure soveraigne Lorde Kyng Henry the eight make my will and testament as herafter folowithe. Furste I bequethe my soule unto almightye god and my body to be buryed where god shall please. Also I bequethe to my sonne Robert my II best gownes and my best dublett and my bason and Ewer of sylver. And all the Resydue of my plate I gene and bequethe to Margaret my wyfe. Also I beqnethe to John my sonne when he comythe to thage of XXIIII yeres my lease and ferme of Rollrighte in the Countye of Oxforde withe the Indenture of the same remaynyng in my Caskett at Icombe aforsaide and at that age he to haue foure hundred yewes V oxen VIII kyne twoo horses or the price of them as they shalbe praysed in the Inventarye and in the meanetyme till he come to the saide age XXIIII yeres my wyfe to take the proffittes of the saide ferme. Also I bequeathe to my sonne Charles when he comythe to the age of XXIIII yeres my lease and ferme in Greate Ryssenton called Nylis wt the Indenture of the same re- maynyng in my Caskett at Icombe aforesaide and at that age foure hundred wethers or the price of them as they
ICOMB PLACE, VIEW LOOKING TOWARD THE WEST.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 137 shalbe praised in the Inventarye and in the meane tyme my wyfe to have the proffittes of the same ferme. Also I bequethe to my sonne George when he comythe to the age of XXIIII yeres my lease and ferme of Malgas- bury and three hundred shepe or the Valure thereof as they shalbe praised in the Inventarye and my wyffe to take the proffittes of the same ferme in the meane tyme tyll the saide George come to the saide age of XXIIII yeres. Also I bequethe to my sonne William when he comythe to the age of XXIIII yeres my lease and ferme called the Chauntery landes in Greate Ryssinton wt the Indenture of the same Remaynyng in my Caskett at Icombe aforesaide wt foure hundred wethers at that age or the price of them as they shalbe praysed in the Inventarye and in the meane tyme my wife to take the proffittes of the same ferme. Also I will if anny of my foresaide sonnes dye before the forsaide age to them lymitted and then the nexte young- est brother to haue his older next brother's legacy at the forsaide age Relingquisshing his legacye and porc'on be- fore to hym lymittide the whiche legacye and porcc'on shall remayne to his next yonngiste when he comythe to the for- saide age and so lynyally to Remayne to the one from the other. That is to say as well to them as yett not namyd as to the other beforenamyd. Also I bequethe to James my sonne twenty pounde. And also I bequethe to Rycharde my sonne twenty pounde. And if it happen eyther of them do dye before the age of XXIIII yeres that porc'on to hym before bequethide to be Voyde. And if it happen either of them to haue anny of theire brothern porc'ons before lymittide that then theyre former legacye to cease and be voyde. Also I geue and bequethe to my Danghter Blaunche to her maryage of II hundred markes Also I geue and be- quethe to my Daughter Mary to her maryage a hundred pounde. Also I geue to my twoo sonnes not legitimate the one called Anthony being at Icombe and the other called Charles
138 The Ancestry of John Whitney being wt Master Willis VI£ XIIIs IIIId apece and they to have theire legacy at the age of XVIII yeres or before at my wyfe's dyscretion. Also I will that my wyfe haue all monye goodes and Cattells that she hathe gotten to be her owen to her use. Item, I will that my sarun'tes haue meate and Dryncke tyll Midsomer and my olde sarun'tes at that tyme to haue XII monnethes wages. Further I will that wt the proffittes of my fermes my Childern that will abide withe my wyfe haue meate Dryncke and apparell after her discretion fur- ther I will that after my debtes legaces and funeralls borne that my wyfe haue all the rest of my goodes and cattills to her owen use whome I make my Soule Executrix. In the pn's of my father in lawe Robert Wye and Jane Wye his wife maisteris Jane Parker Thomas Marshall Rycharde Colter Davy Mer'yke and Thomas Marten. Item, the Resydue of myne apparell unbequethide I will that my wife geue it amonges my childern and sarun'tes after her discrec'on. Item, if ther be anny Doute in the saide testament I will that it be declared by the saide Robert Wye. Also I will that Margaret my wyfe shall haue all my landes in Icombe for terme of her lyfe." The will dealt only with personal property, as, by operation of law, all the real estate descended to the eldest son, Robert. John, the next in age, had an interesting history. Through the influence, doubtless, of his father and uncle James, he procured an appointment at court, apparently as a page, attendant upon the little prin- cess, daughter of Henry VIII. by Anne Boleyn, afterward Queen Elizabeth. There he became the "bedfelloe" of Roger Ascham, a brilliant young man, A. B. Cambridge, 1534, and A. M. 1536, who was act- ing as Elizabeth's tutor. The story of their friend-
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 139 ship is thus told by the latter in his "Ready Way to the Latin Tongue": And now take heede, lest your scholar do not better in some poynt than yourselfe, except ye have bene diligentlie exercised in those kindes of translating before. I had once a profe hereof, tried by good experience, by a deare frende of myne, when I came first from Cambridge, to serve the Queen's Majestie, then Ladie Elizabeth, lying at worthy Sir Anthony Deny's in Cheston. John Whitney, a yong gentleman, was my bed-felloe; who, willyng by good nature, and provoked by mine advice, begun to learn the Latin tonge after the order declared in this booke. We began after Christmas; I read unto him Tully de Amicitia, which he did every day twise translate, out of Latin into English, and out of English into Latin againe. About St. Laurence tide after to prove hew he profitted, I did chose out Torquatus' taulke de Amicitia, in the latter end of the first booke de Finibus; because that place was the same in matter, like in words and phrases, nigh to the form and faction of sentences, as he had learned before in de Amicitia. I did translate it myself into plaine English, and gave it him to turn into Latin; which he did so choise- lie so orderlie so without any great misse in the hardest points of grammar that some in seven yeare in grammar schooles, yea, and same in the universities to, cannot do halfe so well. This worthie yong gentleman, to my great- est grief, to the great lamentation of that whole house, and specillie to that most noble ladie, now Queene Elizabeth her- self, departed within few days out of this world. And if in any cause a man may without offence of God speake somewhat ungodlie, surely it was some griefe unto me to see him hie so hastilie to God as he did. A court full of soch yong gentlemen, were rather a paradise than a court upon earth. And though I had never poeticale head to make any verse in any tonge, yet either love, or sorrow or both, did ring out of me then certain careful thoughts of
140 The Ancestry of John Whitney
my good will towards him; which, in my mourning for
him, fell forth more by chance than either by skill or use,
into this kinde of misorderly metre:
Myne own John Whitney, now farewell,
Now death doth parte us twain;
No death, but partyng for a while,
Whom life shall joyne agayne.
Therefore, my heart, cease sighs and sobbes,
Cease sorrowes seede to sow;
Whereof no gaine, but greater grief
And hurtfulle care may grow.
Yet when I thinke upon such giftes
Of grace, as God him lent;
My lease, his gaine, I must awhile,
With joyfulle teares lament.
Yong yeares to yielde soch frute in court,
Where seede of vice is sowne,
Is sometime read, in some place seen,
Amongst us seldome knowne.
His life he ledde, Christes lore to learn
With will to worke the same;
He read to know, and knew to live,
And liv'd to praise his name.
So fast a frende, so foe to few,
So good to every wight,
I may well wishe but scarcelie hope;
Againe to have in sight.
The greater joy his life to me,
His death the greater payne,
His life in Christ so surelie set,
Doth glad my hearte againe.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 141
His life so good, his death better,
Do mingle mirth with care,
My spirit with joye, my flesh with grief,
So deare a frend to spare.
Thus God the good, while they be good,
Doth take, and leave us ill;
That we should mend our sinfule life,
In life to tarry still.
Thus we well left, he better reft,
In heaven to take his place,
That by like life and death, at last,
We may obtaine like grace.
Mine own John Whitney, againe farewell,
A while thus parte in twaine;
Whom payne doth part in earth, in heaven
Great joy shall joyne agayne.
George, who will be mentioned again, the fourth
son, married and resided at Icomb. What became
of the other children is not known.
Robert, the eldest son of Robert of Icomb, went
back to Whitney, which, with the single exception
just noted, was the residence of all the heads of the
family. At his father's death, in 1541, he was still a
minor, so Sir James Baskerville, Knight, of Eardisley,
a few miles from Whitney, was appointed guardian
of his person and property. The latter had a daugh-
ter, Sybil, whose acquaintance young Whitney thus
had an opportunity to make, and whom, at some
time prior to 1544, he married. Sir James died in
1546, and his will, proved in the Prerogative Court of
Canterbury, is still of record in Somerset House.
142 The Ancestry of John Whitney
Whitney was named as a legatee and as one of the
executors.
THE LAST WILL OF SIR JAMES BASKERVILLE,
OF EARDISLEY, CO. HEREFORD, KNIGHT.
(P. C. C. 24 Alen)
Dated 4 Jan 1544-5. Proved 9 Dec 1546.
"In the name of god amen. The iiijth day of January in
the XXXVth yere of the Reigne of our soueraiyne Lorde
Henry the viijth by the grace of god King of Englande
Fraunce and Irelande Defendor of the faithe and yn earth
supreme hedd of the churche of Englande and Irelande I
Sr JAMES BASKERVILE, Knighte, being of hole mynde and
in parfitt remembraunce make my testament and last will in
manner and fourme following--firste I bequeth my soule
to almighty god to or Lady Saint Mary and to all the holie
company of heaven And my body to be buried wtin hal-
lowed grounde where it shall please God to take me to his
marcye.
Item I geue and bequeth to the cathedrall churche of
hereford iijs iiijd. Item I geue and bequeth to the Vicary
of Erdesley my goostely father for my forgotten tithes if
anny be tenne shillinges.
Item I geue and bequeth to Robert Whitney my sonne
in lawe tenne kyne nowe being in Over parke and six Oxen
being in the custody of Thomas Kedwarde my sarvaunte
John houlle and Bedowe Kadogan wt twoo beddes appareled
accordingly.
Item I geue and bequeth to the saide Robert thone [i. e.
the one] haulfe of suche wilde cattall as I haue in the
mounteynes in Ow Eluell wtin the Countie of Radnor ex-
cepte my mares and Coltes.
Item I geue and bequeth to the saide Robert my litle
Saulte of siluer withe a couer to the same.
Item I geue and bequeth to Edmounde Vaughan if it
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 143 please god that he accepte my doughter Elizabeth in mar- riage my Lease of Indenture concerning the tithes of Kyngton and Birley wt the hole proffetts pteyning to the same during the terme of yeres yett to come specified wtin the same Lease And also an other Lease of Indenture concerning the tithes of Elastonn whiche I hadd by the as- signement of Rees ap Glin and ouer that I geue and bequeth to the saide Edmonde wt the marriage of the saide Elizabeth the some of a hundreth mrc's [i. e. marks.] sterling to be paide wtin one yere aftre the aspowsell6 hadd solempnyzed and don betwixt the saide Edmounde and Elizabeth so that she be ordered and ruled by my Lady her mother the whiche some of a hundred mrc6' I will that it shalbe levied out of my plate excepte my best standing Cupp. And my execu- tours to see my doughter Elizabeth to haue her chambr and aparell convenyent for her degree againt the tyme of her saide marriage. And if it happen the saide Elizabeth to decease before she be married to the saide Edmounde or anny other man Then I will that the hole legacye bequethed unto her shall remayn unto Elyanor my youngist doughter to the preferment of her marriage so that she be likewise ordered by my Lady her mother. And if it happen the saide Elyanor to decease before she be marryed then her hole legacye to remayn to Elizabeth my wiffe. Item I geue and bequeth to Humfrey my youngist sonne my Lease of Indenture of Benfelde Wtin the parrishe of Bredwardyn wt the stocke of Cattall6 nowe in the pos- session of John Thomas. And if it happen the saide Hum- frey to decease wtout issue of his body laufully begotten Then I will and bequeth the same Lease wt cattal6 afor- saide to Walter Baskervile my sonne and to his heires. And if it happen the saide Walter to decease wtout heires of his bodye laufullye begotten then the same to remayne to John Baskervile his brother and to his heires during the terme of yeres yett to come comprised in the same Lease.
144 The Ancestry of John Whitney Item I geue and bequeth to JAMES my sonne and heire apparant viij oxen twentye kyne arid all my wilde mares Wt theire coultes nowe being in the mounteynes of Eluell aforsaide tweutye young beastes of twoo yeres and three yeres olde uppon condic'on that the same James his heires and Executours doo acquite and discharge me the saide Sr James and myn executours agenst the king our soue- raigne Lorde his heires and Successours of and for the payment of ffiftye poundes st [i. e. sterling] due to or sayde soueraigne Lorde the king for the wardeshipp of Robert Whitney Or els I woll that the saide Cattalls and Mares to be soulde by myne executours for the payment of the saide ffiftie poundes. The Residue of all my gooddes and Cattalls mouable and unmouable not bequethed I geue and bequeth to Eliza- beth my wiffe she to dispose the same as she thinketh goodd for the welthe of my soule and the preferment of my Childerne whiche Elizabeth my wiffe Robert Whitney John Baskervile my sonne and EDMOUNDE VAUGHAN if he doo marry my doughter Elizabeth I make myne Executours and Sr Anthony Wingfelde knighte of the gartre and viz cham'bleyne to the Kings maiestie to be Oversear that this my last will be p'fourmed. In Wittnes wherof I the saide Sr James to this my pn't last will haue putte my Seale Theis p'sonnes whose names be subscribed being pn't bering wittnes to the same. Per me Willum Stor clicum. Teste Willimo Baylie Walterus Crompe gent Richardus Done." TRANSLATION OF PROBATE. "This Will was proved 9 Dec 1546 by Robert Johnson Notary Public, Proctor for Dame Elizabeth the relict and John Baskervile the Executors, Probate being reserved for Robert Whitney the other Executor when he shall come and seek for it."
AUTOGRAPH OF ROBERT WHYTNEY, JANUARY 6, 1551(52). Lay Subsidy Roll 1/2|7/8 in the Public Record Office, London.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 145 In 1550 "Robert Whytney Esquire" was appointed royal commissioner for the hundreds of "Hunting- don" and "Strettford" to assess and collect a tax known as a Lay Subsidy, and the original returns, bearing his signature, are still on file in the Record Office, London. A photograph is shown of one of these, dated January 6, 5 Edward VI. (1551-52). The next record we have of him is that already quoted in the introduction, of his being made a knight in 1553. Strype,1 in his quaint style, de- scribes how "Sir Rob. Witney," and others, were "the Knights of the Carpet, dubbed October the 2d, the day after the Queen's (Mary) coronation, at the Palace at Westminster, before her in her chamber of presence, under the Cloth of State; by the Earl of Arundel; who had of her Highness commission to execute the same." In the records of the Privy Council, of a date two years later, can be found this minute: ACTS OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL "At Grenewiche the XIth of Marche, 1555. Thapparaunce The Lord Chauncelour Mr. Comptroller Therle of Pembroke Mr. Secretary Petre The Bishop of Ely A Lettre to Sir ROBERT WHITNAYE of the countye of Hereford, Knight, to give ordre fourthwith upon receipte hereof that George Whitnaye his brother maye make his undelayed repayre hither to the Courte." 1 "Memorials," by John Strype, vol. iii, p. 131.
146 The Ancestry of John Whitney There seems to be no way of ascertaining the ob- ject of the summons. "Sir ROBERT WHITNEY, Knight" of the County of Hereford, appears as a member of the parliament that was summoned to meet at Westminster, January 23, 1558-59. While in attendance, some of his "reteynours" became involved in a quarrel in the city of Lon- don, which brought Sir Robert into trouble with the famous Court of Star Chamber. This tribunal, or- ganized to punish such crimes "committed by the great families, or their adherents, as the ordinary law courts could not, or through fear, dared not, deal with," was an instrument of the State used to extort confessions of guilt by means of torture. As might have been expected, its secret sessions devel- oped into a terrible source of abuse, and became one of the greatest disgraces in the annals of a country which had hitherto boasted of immunity from any- thing of like nature. Of the proceedings in the case of Whitney we know nothing beyond what is dis- closed in a minute of the Privy Council: "At the Starre Chamber xxjth of Aprill 1559. The Lord Great Seale Mr. Secretary The Lord Treasourer Mr. Cave Therle of Shewisbury Mr. Mason The Lord Chamberlayne Mr. Sackevyle M. Vicechamberlain A letter to Sir ROBERT WHITNEY, knight, requyring and commandinge him in the Quenes Majsties name, to cause not only so many of hys servauntes and reteynours as haue been lately here within the Cytie of London within this moneth now laste paste to appeare before the Lordes at the
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 147 Courte within xxti dayes after the date of the sayd letter but as many besydes of his sayde servaunts to doo the lyke as have been with him and are within the said moneth de- parted from the sayd Cytie aboute his affairs or otherwise." Harleian Manuscript No.1545, fol. 69, in the Brit- ish Museum, has tricked upon it a Whitney ar- morial shield, with some, though not all of their quarterings as they existed at this time. A facsimile of it, as blazoned at the College of Arms, is shown in the accompanying plate, which is to be read as fol- lows: the numbering being from left to right, begin- ning at the top and taking the four rows in succession: 1. WHITNEY. Azure, a cross checky or and gules. 2. MILBOURNE. Gules, a chevron between 3 escallops argent. 3. EYNESFORD. Gules, fretty ermine. 4. FURNIVAL. Argent, a bend between 6 martlets gules, a crescent for difference or. 5. VERDON. Or, a fret gules.1 6. LUVETOT. Argent, a lion rampant per fess gules and sable. 7. BASKERVILLE. Argent, a chevron gules between 3 hurts, a crescent for difference. 8. BOTELAR (Botler or Butler). Gules, a fess checky arg. and sable between 6 cross crosslets or. 9. REES. Quarterly, per fess indented gules and ermine, in chief a file of 3 per pale or and Sable. 10. LENTHALL (Leinthall). Gules, a fess ermine, in chief a file of 5 or. 1 "Although the Coat of Verdon appears among the Whitney quarter- ings, both in the College of Arms and in the Harl. MS. above cited, I find that the Whitneys cannot claim descent from that ancient house; the heiress of Verdon having married into the elder branch of Furnival while it was the younger line of the latter family, as indicated by the crescent for difference, from which the Milbourne coheiresses sprang." C. E. Gildersome-Dickinson.
148 The Ancestry of John Whitney
11. LE GROS. Quarterly Argent and azure, on a bend sable 3 martlets or. 12. BREDWARDINE (Pedwardine). Argent, 2 lions passant in pale azure) langued gules. 13. SOLLERS. Or, a chevron azure between 3 lions' heads erased gules. 14. BRUGGE (Bridges). Argent, on a cross sable a leop- ard's face or. 15. BLACKETT. Azure, a bend coticed between 6 cross crosslets fitche'e or. 16. WHITNEY. As above.
All these extinct families, merged, or partially merged, in that of Whitney, were in their day of high standing and distinction. In the age of chivalry each knight had an emblem or device pictured on his shield and embroidered on the garment worn over his coat of mail--from this came the designation coat of arms. Such a custom was necessary to identify the wearer, whose face, when in battle, was concealed by the visor of his helmet. The symbol used suggested, if possible, some distin- guishing quality of the bearer or some event in his history. Hence crusaders usually adopted a cross or combination of crosses, which appeared in many forms and colors. As arms became numerous there was danger of confusion, and it became necessary to regulate them. They were therefore made hereditary, and officers called heralds were appointed by the sovereign to keep a registry of them, and devise all that might be adopted in the future. From time to time they made a tour of the kingdom, called a Heralds' Visi- tation, and those families claiming coats of arms showed their right to bear them by formally proving
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 149
their descent from an ancestor whose title had been previously established or was unquestioned. When one entitled to a coat died without male issue, his female heirs inherited it and transmitted it to their children. This gave rise to what was known as quarterings. For example, Ralph Baskerville had no son, so his daughter Jane inherited his arms. The latter mar- ried Simon Milbourne and had no son, so her daugh- ter Blanche inherited both the Baskerville and Mil- bourne arms; Blanche married James Whitney, and their son, Robert, inheriting from both father and mother, was entitled to combine or "quarter" on his shield all the arms belonging to either of them. The fact that fourteen coats-of-arms other than that of Whitney are here shown on the Whitney shield in- dicates that this number of their ancestors had been heiresses, each representing a family whose name "ran out." The Milbournes and Eynesfords have already been noticed. Of the others Furnival was founded by a knight whose name appears in the "Roll of Battle Abbey."1 Sir Gerard de Furnival accompanied Rich- ard I. on the Crusade to the Holy Land, and greatly distinguished himself at the Siege of Acre. William de Luvetot fought at Senlac, and after- ward possessed the whole of Hallamshire. The family ending in a daughter, Matilda, King Rich- ard Coeur de Lion, her guardian, gave her in mar- riage to the son of his companion in arms, Sir Gerard de Furnival, above mentioned. The Botelars were great barons, frequently summoned to Parliament.
1 Burke's "Roll of Battle Abbey."
150 The Ancestry of John Whitney
From them were descended, through a female line, the Lords Ferrers of Wemme. Rees was one of the most famous Welsh names. Sir Roland Leinthall "tooke many prisoners at Agincourt, by which preye he beganne the new building of Hampton Courte"1 in Herefordshire. The Bredwardines derived their name from a parish adjoining Whitney. Sir John de Brugge, of Brugge Sollers, in Herefordshire, a sheriff of Herefordshire and a member of parliament, was also at Agincourt with Whitney, Baskerville, Lein- thall, and Sir John Blackett.2
The Baskerville Pedigrees show the following:
Gerard de Furnival, a =
knight, who followed Rich- |
ard Coeur de Lion to the |
Holy Land. |
_________________|
|
Gerard, Lord Furnival of = Matilda, daughter and heir-
Sheffield, a baron faith- | ess of William de Luvetot of
ful to King John, and a | Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
crusader who died in Je- |
rusalem 3 Henry III. |
__________________|
| |
Thomas, Lord Furnival, slain |
by the Saracens, ancestor |
of the Lords Furnival. |
__________________|
|
Gerard de Furnival = Christian, daughter and heir
| of Wischard Ledet and wid-
| ow of Henry de Braybroke.
__________________|
|
1 Leland's "Itinerary." 2 1 Duncomb, vol. i, p. 89.
WHITNEY QUARTERINGS.
As tricked upon Harleian Manuscript No. 1545, fol. 69,
In the British Museum.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 151
Sir Gerard de Furnival = Joan, daughter (possibly
| granddaughter) and coheir
| of Sir Hugh de Morville, one
| of the knights who killed
| Thomas a' Becket in Canter-
| bury Cathedral in 1170.
|____
|
Sir John Eynesford of = Christian.
Burghill |
|_____
|
Sir Piers Milbourne = Elizabeth, daughter and heir.
An extension of this down to Blanche Milbourne, who married James Whitney, has already been given. The immediate ancestry of Sybil Baskerville, who married Sir Robert Whitney, shows how closely united by blood were all these great families.
Sir John Baskerville, = Elizabeth, daughter of John
of Combe,1 and Eardisley; | Touchett, Baron Audley.
died 1455. |
_______________|
|
Sir James Baskerville, = Katherine, daughter of
of Eardisley, Sheriff for | Walter Devereux, Lord Fer-
Co. Hereford, 38 Hen. | rers, of Chartley, lineally
VI., 4 Edw. IV., and 14 | descended from King Ed-
Hen. VII. Made Knight | ward I.
Banneret, for extraordi- |
nary valor, on the field after |
the Battle of Stoke, 1487. |
Knight of the Bath at coro- |
nation of Henry VII. |
___________________|
|
1 A John Baskerville was at Agincourt, but he may have been this man's father.
152 The Ancestry of John Whitney
Sir Walter Baskerville, = Anne, daughter of Morgan
of Eardisley, Sheriff for | ap Jenkyn ap Philip of
Co. Herefordshire, 9 Edw. | Pencoyd.
IV. Knight of the Bath |
at marriage of Prince Ar- |
thur, 1501. |
______________|
|
Sir James Baskerville, = Elizabeth, daughter and co-
of Eardisley, | heir of John Breynton by
| Sybil, daughter and coheir
| of Simon Milbourne, and
| sister of Blanche, who mar-
| ried James Whitney.
|____
|
Sir Robert Whitney = Sybil.
Burke's "Dictionary of the Landed Gentry," ed. 1852, has the following account of the Baskerville line: "The family of Baskerville is one of the most an- cient and honorable in England, its name is upon the roll of Battel Abbey, it has ever maintained the highest rank among the gentry, and it can boast the blood of the Plantagenets. "The Baskervilles came into Herefordshire soon after the conquest, and settling at Eardisley, became connected with the first families of the county, served the office of Sheriff no less than twenty-one times and were elected Knights of the Shire in eleven parliaments. "Their pedigree has been authentically deduced and is duly registered in the College of Arms. "Sir Robert Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley Castle,
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 153
in the Co. of Hereford, m. Agnes, dau. and heiress of Nesta dau of Rees ap Griffith, Prince of South Wales, and was s. by his son. "Sir Ralph de Baskerville, Lord of Eardisley in the time of Henry II. who m. a dau. of Drogo, brother of Richard Lord Clifford, and was s. by his son. "Sir Roger de Baskerville, of Eardisley; living in the reign of Henry II. who espoused a dau. of Rothes de Gros, Knt. Lord of Orcop, and was succeeded by his son. "Walter de Baskerville, of Eardisley, temp. Ric- ard I. who was s. by his son, "Walter de Baskerville, who m. Susan dau. of Sir John Cregdon, Knt. and had three sons, Walter (Sir) of Eardisley, temp Henry III. who left two daus. his coheirs; Richard (Sir) of whom we are about to treat, and George, Lord of Lowton and Pickthorne, the second son of Walter. "Sir Richard de Baskerville, M. P. for the Co. of Hereford in 1295 and 1297, became Lord of Eardisley at the decease of his elder brother. He m. a dau. of Sir ----- Sollers, Knt. and was s. by his eldest son, "Sir Walter de Baskerville, Lord of Combe, who m. in the 26th Edward I. Sibill, dau. of Peter Corbet, of Caux: and dying about the 12th Edward II. was s. by his son, "Sir Richard de Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, M. P. for the Co. of Hereford in 1347, who m. in the 14th Edward II Jane or Joane, dau. of Sir Richard Poines, or Poynings, Knt. and was s. by his son, "Sir Richard Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, living temp Edward III, who m. Isabella, dau. and heiress of Sir Walter Paveley Knt. by whom he had a son his successor.
154 The Ancestry of John Whitney
"Sir Richard Baskerville, Knt. who m. Joan, dau. of Adam de Everingham, of Lexington, and dying 16 Sept. 1395, was s. by his son, "Sir John Baskerville, Knt living in the reign of Henry IV. This gentleman m. Elizabeth, dau. and heiress of John Brugge, of Lotton and Staunton, who had issue. John (Sir) his successor and Ralph, b. 21 Oct. 1410, who m. Anne, dau. and coheiress of Sir John Blackett, Knt. and left an only dau. and heiress Jane, m. to Simon Milbourne, of Tillington. Sir John Baskerville was succeeded by his eldest son, "Sir John Baskerville, Knt. of Combe, b. 12 Feb. 1403. In Sir Harris Nicolas's "History of the Battle of Agincourt," Sir John Baskerville is stated to have been in the retinue of Henry V.1 He m. Elizabeth dau. of John Touchett Lord Audley, and dying 23 Dec. 1455, was by his eldest son, "Sir James Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, M. P. for the Co. of Hereford in 1476, and Sheriff 38th Henry VI. 4th Edward IV. and 14 Henry VII. He was made a Knight Banneret on the field, after the battle of Stoke, near Newark in 1487, and a Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Henry VII. He m. Kath- erine, dau. of Walter Devereux, Lord Ferrers of Chartley, lineally descended from Edward I. and had "Sir Walter Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, Sheriff of Hereford, 9th of Edward IV. who was created Knight of the Bath on the marriage of Prince Arthur in 1501 and had "Sir James Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, who m. Elizabeth, dau., and coheir of John Breynton, of the Co. of Hereford, by Sibella dau. and coheir of Simon
1 It must have been this man's father if the date of birth is correctly given, for the battle was in 1415.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 155
Milbourne, grandson of Sir John Milbourne by Eliza- beth, dau. and heiress of Sir John Eynsford," &c. The descent of Katherine Devereux from the first Edward was as follows:
Edward I. = Eleanor, dau. of the King
| of Castile.
|_____
|
Humphrey de Bohun, Earl = Elizabeth.
of Hereford and Essex. |
Lord High Constable; |
killed at battle of Bor- |
oughbridge, March 16, |
1321. |___
|
Robert de Ferrers, 2d Baron = Agnes.
Ferrers of Chartley. Sum- |
moned to Parliament Feb. |
25, 1342. At battle of |
Cre'cy. Died 1347. |
____________________|
|
John de Ferrers, 3d Baron = Elizabeth, dau. of Rolf, 1st
Ferrers of Chartley. In | Earl of Stafford, who had
the wars of Gascony, 1350. | a principal command in the
Died April 2, 1307. | van at Cre'cy.
____________________|
|
Robert de Ferrers, 4th Baron = Margaret, dau. of Edward,
of Chartley. Died March | Lord Le Despencer.
13, 1413. |
____________________|
|
Edmund de Ferrers, 5th Ba- = Eleanor, dau. and coheir of
ron of Chartley, a partici- | Thomas, Lord Roche.
pant in most of the great |
battles of Henry V. Died |
1430. |
____________________|
|
156 The Ancestry of John Whitney
William de Ferrers, 6th Ba- = Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Ha-
ron of Chartley, | on Belknap, Knight.
|___
|
Sir Walter Devereux, Knight = Anne, only child.
Baron Ferrers in right of |
his wife. Killed at Bos- |
worth Field, August 22, |
1485. |_____
|
Sir James Baskerville, = Katherine.
Knight, of Eardisley, |
Knight Banneret, Knight |
of the Bath, &c. |
Through the Baskerville marriage, therefore, there came into the Whitney family, the second time, a strain of royal blood, the first having been through Constance, daughter of James Touchett, Baron Aud- ley, before mentioned. In the Appendix is a chart, arranged by C. E. Gildersome-Dickinson, Esq., of 12 Great Turnstile, Lincoln's Inn, London, a distinguished genealogist, which shows more clearly the inter-marriages of the Whitney, Milbourne, and Baskerville families, and, incidentally, that, in addition to those mentioned Sir Robert had in his "Impalement" the following arms, being almost without exception those of Nor- man families that in their day played a prominent part in the history of England. Ledet, Gu, a fess dancette between 14 cross cross- lets or. Foliot, Barry nebuly of 6, ermine and gu. Reincourt, Azure a fess indented between 6 garbs or. De Morville, Azure seme'e de lis fretty or.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 157
Engayne, Gu, a fess indented between 6 cross crosslets or. Trivers, Argent, 3 bears statant in pale sa. Stuteville, Barry of 12, arg. and gules. Paveley, Az. a cross florette'e gules. Sapie, Arg. on a bend gules 3 buckles or.1 By his wife Sybil Sir Robert had three sons and two daughters, viz., James and Eustace, who suc- cessively succeeded to the estate; Robert, who was the grandfather of John Whitney, the emigrant; Blanche, who married Robert Greville, and Elizabeth, who married John Bryce. He also acknowledged and brought up another son, William, who will be again mentioned. Sir Robert Whitney died, as stated in an inquest post mortem, on August 5, 1567. This inquisition is exceedingly interesting, inasmuch as it shows to what noble proportions the Whitney estate had grown, till it included eight manors, viz.: 1, Whitney; 2, Pencombe; 3, Ocle Pitcherd; 4, Kings Caple; 5, Icomb; 6, Boughroyd; 7, Comwich; and 8, Clifton, not mentioning leased land, of which, from the will of Robert of Icomb, we have reason to suppose there was a considerable quantity. It does not appear how or when the new manors, Boughroyd, Comwich, etc., came to the Whitney fam- ily. The name Ocle Pitcherd indicates its source, and that it was acquired by marriage is indicated by the British Museum pedigrees in the appendix. Sir Robert's descendants, therefore, undoubtedly have for an ancestor Sir Miles de Picarde', a Senlac knight, who helped Sir Bernard Newmarch conquer
1 To this list there probably should be added, Pycard, Gu, a fess or between 6 escallops arg; Delamere, arg. a fess between 8 cinqs gu.
158 The Ancestry of John Whitney
Brecknock, and secured great estates in Hereford- shire, Wales, and the Marches. Sir Roger Pychard (Picarde') in 1222 possessed Straddewy, afterward known as "Tretower" Castle, Almaly, Thurkellston, Bishops Stanford, Great Cowarn, and Ocle Pychard.1 The manor was held by the Whitneys as early as 6 Henry VI., 1428, for in that year "Robert Whytney of Whytney" was taxed for "one Knight's fee late of John Clanbowe in Ocle Picard."2 Inquest port mortem. Chancery. 9th Elizabeth, No.126. (1567.)
TRANSLATION.
Co. Hereford--This Inquisition indented taken at Here- ford in the County aforesaid the 18th day of September in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, France & Ireland, Queen De- fendor of the Faith &c. the Ninth before George Wistham Esq. Escheator of our said Lady the Queen in the County aforesd by virtue of a brief by our said Lady the Queen to him the said Escheator directed, upon the death of Robert Whitney, Knight, deceased, This Inquest being taken on the oaths of James Gomond Esq, John Breynton Esq, John Dansey gent, Walter Walwyn gent, Thomas Pembridge gent, John Parry of Wormebridge, gent, Jenkin Figgyns gent, Thomas Mordediche, gent, William Perowe, John Thomas of Kyngston, Richard Dayneham, Thomas Detyins and Philip Moore, who say upon oath that the said Robert Whitney, Knight, in the said brief named, was a long while before his death and at the time of his death siezed in his demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Whitney & of and in twenty messuages3 two hundred acres of [arable] land,
1 "The Family of Picard or Pychard," London, 1878. 2 See "Lay Subsidies of Hereford," in Record Office, Bundle 117/38. 3 Apparently the "messuages" were exclusive of the "two hundred acres," etc., and s similar thing is true of corresponding statements below.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 159
twenty-eight acres of meadow, thirty acres of pasture, ten acres of woodland & of ten shillings rent with the appurte- nances in Whitney & of & in the avowdson of the Church of Whitney in the county aforesaid. And the said Robert Whitney being thus so siezed sometime before his death, to wit, on the fourteenth day of October in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Henry VIII late King of Eng- land the thirty-eighth, as by his charter to the said Jurors upon the taking of this Inquisition as evidence shown Gave and Granted to Richard Seyborne for good counsel by him bestowed a certain annual rent or annuity of thirteen shil- lings and four pence issuing out of all and singular his manors, lands and tenements in Whitney, Co. Hereford and Boughroyd, Co. Radnor, to have and receive the said annuity or annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence to the said Richard Seyborne for the term of his life at the feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Michael the Archangel by equal portions yearly paid and if it should happen the said annuity or annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence be in part or in all unpaid after such festival or festivals that it should then be lawful for the said Richard Seyborne or his assigns in the land or lands either in whole or part to enter to distrain the issues and price of the said annual rent or annuity of thirteen shillings and four pence to the amount of the arrear or ar- rearages if it shall please the said Richard Seyborne to have such satisfaction. And the said Richard Seyborne is in full life now residing at Sutton in the said County of Hereford. And moreover the same Robert some while before his death to wit on the fifth day of March in the year of Ed- ward VI late King of England the first as by his charter bearing date the same day and year now exhibited in evi- dence before the Jurors aforesaid Gave and Granted to one Morus Apowell one annuity or annual rent of forty shil- lings a year issuing out of the Manors of Whitney and Ocle Pitchard and Boughroyd and of all and singular his manors,
160 The Ancestry of John Whitney
messuages, lands and other tenements and other heredita- ments wheresoever within this Realm of England & Wales to have and enjoy and to receive the said annuity or an- nual rent of forty shillings aforesaid to the said Morus Apowell and his assigns during the natural life of the said Morus payable at the Feasts of St. Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary the Virgin by equal portions and if it should happen that the said annuity or annual rent of forty shillings from any cause either in part or whole should be unpaid after such festival or festi- vals that then it should be lawful for the said Morus Apow- ell or his assigns out of the said manors or premises to enter any part of the said manors and other premises to distrain for the said rent as aforesaid and having so dis- trained to take and carry away the said distraints to the value of such his rent of forty shillings or any part of the arrears till the same be paid. And the said Morus is sur- viving in full life and now residing at Monmouth in the County of Monmouth. And moreover the said Jurors say that the said Robert Whitney sometime before his death and at the time of his death was also similarly seized in his demesne and as of fee of and in the manor of Pencombe in the County aforesaid and of and in fifteen messuages, two hundred acres of [ar- able] land, thirty acres of meadow, forty acres of pasture, half a pound of pepper and of and in forty pounds and forty pence rent with the appurtenances in Pencombe and of and in the avowdson of the Church of Pencombe in the County aforesaid, and being thus so seized the said Robert Whitney, knight, sometime before his death to wit, 15 May, 1565, in the seventh year of the reign of our said Lady the Queen at Whitney in the county aforesaid made and de- clared his last will in writing and by the same his will amongst other bequests gave and devised to one Eustace Whitney his younger son one annuity or annual rent of six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence per annum issu- ing out of and in his said Manor of Pencombe with the ap-
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 161
purtenances in the said County of Hereford to have and to receive the said annuity or annual rent to the aforesaid Eustace Whitney for and during the whole term of the life of the said Eustace Whitney twice a year to wit at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary the Virgin in equal proportions. And if it should happen that the said rent or any part thereof should by chance in all or in part remain unpaid after the said fes- tival or festivals then it should be lawful for the said Eus- tace or his assigns to enter the lands of the said Manor or any part thereof and distrain for such arrear or arrearages and carry off the distraints till the same be duly paid and satisfied. And they say, moreover, the said Eustace is in full life now residing at Whitney aforesaid. And also the said Jurors say that the said Robert Whit- ney, Knight, by his said will gave and bequeathed to one Robert Whitney1 and then of his younger sons a like annu- ity or annual rent of six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence a year issuing out of the said manor of Pencombe to hold &c. to the said Robert Whitney the younger for the term of his life with like clauses, conditions and distraints as to the said Eustace were granted as by the said last will now exhibited before the said Jurors as evidence appeareth. And moreover the said Jurors say upon oath that the said Robert Whitney, knight, sometime before his death and at the time of his death was likewise seized in his demesne and as of fee of and in the Manor of Boughroyd Co. Radnor and of and in six messuages, three hundred acres of [ara- ble] land, one hundred acres of meadow, eighty acres of pasture and of and in three pounds rent with the appurte- nances in Boughroyd aforesaid in the said County of Radnor. And also the Jurors say that the said Robert Whitney, knight, at the time of his death was seized in demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Clyfton in the county of War- wick and of and in twelve messuages, forty acres of [ara-
1 The grandfather of John Whitney, emigrant.
162 The Ancestry of John Whitney
b1e] land, two hundred acres of meadow, three hundred acres of pasture and also of and in eight pounds rent with the appurtenances in Clyfton in the said County of Warwick. Moreover the said Jurors say upon oath that the said Robert Whitney, Knight, at the said time of his death was seized in demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Com- wiche Co. Somerset and of and in five messuages three hun- dred acres of [arable] land, one hundred acres of meadow; eighty acres of pasture and of and in three pounds rent with the appurtenances in Comwiche aforesaid in the said County of Somerset. And also the said Jurors say upon oath that the said Robert Whitney, Knight, a long while before his death was seized in demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Icombe in the County of Gloucester and being so seized the same Robert Whitney by his deed indented bearing date the twenty-fifth of May in the seventh year of our said now Lady the Queen (made) between the said Robert Whitney by the name of Robert Whitney of Whitney in the county of Hereford, knight, on the one part and certain Henry Jones, Thomas Vaughan and Peter Vedle by the names of Henry Johnes knight natural [i. e. lawful] son and heir of Lady Mary Jones widow late wife of Thomas Jones knight deceased, Thomas Vaughan Esq. and Peter Veale gent, of the other part, gave, granted and confirmed to the said Henry Jones, Thomas Vaughan and Peter Veale by the name of the Manor of Icombe one messuage, his houses, edifices and mansion in Icombe aforesaid with the appurte- nances called Icombe Park and the lands, tenements, mead- ows, pastures, feedings woods, underwoods with all his hereditaments whatsoever with all and singular the ap- purtenances as have heretofore been accepted, reputed or taken to be part or parcel of the said manor of Icombe situ- ate, lying and being in Icombe or elsewhere in the county of Gloucester to have and to hold the said manor of Icombe and all the premises with all and singular the appurtenances
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 163
to the said Henry, Thomas and Peter their heirs and assigns forever to the use and behoof of her the said Mary for the term of her natural life and from and after the decease of the said Mary to the use and behoof of him the said Robert Whitney knight and his heirs forever as by the said deed now before the Jurors exhibited plainly appeareth, and the said gift, grant and confirmation was made by force of a certain Act in the Parliament of Henry VIII late king of England in the twenty-seventh year of his reign at West- minster touching uses &c. He is moreover seized of and in the reversion of a free tenement in Icombe aforesaid which after the death of the said Mary shall belong to James Whitney son and heir of the said Robert Whitney, knight, the which Mary is surviv- ing at Whitney. Moreover they say upon oath that the said Robert Whit- ney, Knight, at the time of his death was also seized in de- mesne and as of fee of and in the Manor of Ocle Pitcherd and Kyngs Caple twenty messuages, five hundred acres of [ar- able] land, two hundred acres of meadow and three hundred acres of pasture with the appurtenances in Ocle Pitcherd and Kyngs Caple in county Hereford aforesaid and that the said Robert being so seized in all and singular the several man- ors, lands and tenements aforesaid with the rest of the premises with their appurtenances died so seized after whose death all the manors and other premises with all and singular their appurtenances descended and of right ought to descend and come to James Whitney Esq. son and heir of the said Robert Whitney, knight, deceased. And moreover the Jurors aforesaid say that the said manor of Whitney with the appurtenances were at the death of the said Robert Whitney, Knight, holden of the Honor of Kynton by knight service and valued per annum in all their rights beyond reprisals at XXXVIœ VIs VIIId. And that the said Manor of Pencombe with all its ap- purtenances in the Manor of Pencombe with the lands &c. in Pencombe aforesaid were holden of the manor of Ewias by
164 The Ancestry of John Whitney
fealty only and valued per annum in all its members at XVIII£. And the said manor of Ocle Pitcherd with the appurte- nances and all the tenements in Ocle Pitcherd were holden in knight service of our said Lady the Queen as of her Honor of Webley as the twentieth part of a knight's fee and valued per annum in all at XVI£ VIs VIIId. And the Manor of Kyngs Caple and all the lands and tenements in Kyngs Caple at the death of the said Robert Whitney, knight, were holden of John Selenger, knight, as of his manor of Kylpeck by fealty and suit of the Court of the manor aforesaid and valued in all their members at VIIœ. And the Manor of Icombe with the appurtenances were holden of Our Lady the Queen as of her manor of Slaughter parcel of the possessions of the dissolved Monastery of Zyon in free socage. And the said Manor of Boughroyd with the appurte- nances in the County of Radnor and all the lands and tene- ments in Boughroyd aforesaid were holden of our said Lady the Queen by knight service as the twentieth part of a knight's fee and valued per annum above reprisals at XIIœ. And the said Manors of Clyfton and Comwiche were holden of others than of our said Lady the Queen, valued per annum beyond all reprisals at XXXVIIœ as the said Jurors think. And the said Jurors say moreover upon their oath that the said Robert Whitney, Knight, held no other manors, messuages, lands, tenements, rents, reversions and services in the day that he died at Whitney aforesaid the fifth of Au- gust in the said Ninth year of our Lady Elizabeth as afore- said and James Whitney, Esq., son and heir of the said Robert Whitney, knight, is aged twenty-three years at the taking of this Inquisition. In witness or which thing, &c.
Unfortunately, diligent search in the different ec- clesiastical courts has thus far failed to disclose Sir
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 165
Robert's will referred to in this inquisition. With the increased facilities for examining records, which, it is to be hoped, the future will supply, it is not im- probable that some time it will turn up and give us much more information as to his family and estate. As has been said, John, the emigrant was the grandson of Sir Robert's third son, Robert, Jr.; so the remainder of the line of Whitneys of Whitney lack the interest, to the American family, that at- taches to ancestry. James Whitney, eldest son of Sir Robert, was born in 1544, and succeeded to the estate in 1567. Three years later he was knighted. In "A Book of Knights" by Walter 0. Metcalf, London, 1885, is a list from an old manuscript, of "The Names and Armes of those that were advaunced to the honour- able Ordre of Knighthode in the Godlye, quyet and fortunate reigne of Queen Elizabeth," including
Sr Robert Whitney dubbed at Wyndesore1 anno 1570.
and further down
Sr James Whitney 1578.
The records of the College of Arms show that both of these are mistakes. No Whitney was knighted in 1578, and no Robert Whitney in the reign of Eliza- beth. James was the only one, and his date was 1570. In looking up this matter the interesting fact was discovered that Sir James, when he paid to the col- lege the fees attendant upon knighthood, by some inadvertence was overcharged, and the mistake does not seem to have ever been rectified in the three
1 Windsor.
166 The Ancestry of John Whitney
hundred and twenty-five years since elapsed. The matter is therefore respectfully referred to the rep- resentatives of Sir James's residuary legatee. In 1581, as commissioner, he collected the Lay Sub- sidy, and a facsimile of his signature annexed to a report is here shown. In 1574 he became sheriff, was reappointed in 1586, and died in office the following year. Though he never married, the knight's life was not without its romance, and there is even a suggestion that his celibacy was the result of disappointment in love. In the "Gentleman's Magazine" for 1847, commenc- ing at page 484, there is printed an interesting col- lection of Elizabethan letters relating directly or indirectly to Barbara, Countess of Leicester. This lady was the only daughter of John Gamage of Coity in Glamorganshire, Wales, born in 1562, and left an orphan at an early age, heiress to a great es- tate. Her cousin, Sir Edward Stradling, of St. Do- nats Castle, in the same county, was her guardian. Her hand was sought by a multitude of suitors before it was finally bestowed on Robert Sydney, afterward Earl of Leicester, younger brother of the celebrated Sir Philip Sydney. Sir Walter Raleigh intimated that her marriage was a matter of bargain and sale, and the correspondence bears out this idea. With a single exception, all the ambitious young men seem to have done business entirely with the guardian, and to have considered that the lady had no voice in the matter. Edward Popham wrote to Stradling in behalf of Sir Robert Lindsey, second son of David, Earl of Crawford. Sir Henry Johnes, of Abermarles, in
[Picture omitted]
AUTOGRAPH OF SIR JAMES WHYTNEY, KNIGHT, JUNE 1, 1581. Lay Subsidy Roll 116/300 in the Public Record Office, London.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 167
County Carmarthen, urged the claims of his son, afterward Sir Thomas Johnes. Sir James Croft, a privy councilor, lord deputy of Ireland, and comp- troller of the Queen's household, brought all his in- fluence to bear in behalf of his grandson, Herbert Croft; while the Earl of Pembroke, the most influ- ential man in South Wales, demanded the heiress for young Sydney, the brother of his countess. Meanwhile, Whitney, trusting apparently in personal qualities alone, was, as appears from the following letter, regarded as a dangerous rival:
To the right worll. Sr Edward Stradling, Knight. Sr: I understand that Sir James Whytney hath byn in your country to gayne that which I would fayne haue, but what successe he hath had I knowe not. Wherefore I am most earnestlye to pray you to take the paynes to wrytte unto me thereof, for the which curtesye, as I am already for a great many, soe shall I for this thinke my selfe excessively bounde to you. I hope I shall, ere yt be longe, see you, be- ing bould to trouble you; those to whome I fynde my selfe behoulding I knowe not how I may, but I woulde be right glad to fynd any occasion to deserve some parte of your curteseyes. Thus, hoping that you will contynue your fa- vour towards me in this matter, I comytt you to God. From the Courte, this fyfth of July, 1584. Your kinsman at commaund in what I maye, Herb. Croft.
Later Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham, after- ward the Earl of Nottingham, interfered in the mat- ter, and the strife waxed so hot that the Queen herself took a hand. This we learn from a letter of Sir Walter Ra1eigh.
168 The Ancestry of John Whitney
To the R. worshipfull Sr Edward Stradlinge, Knight.
Sir Edwarde. Her Majestye hath now thrise caused let-
ters to be written unto you, that you suffer not my kins-
woman to be boughte and solde in Wales, without her
Majesties pryvetye, and the consent or advice of my L.
Chamberlayn and myselfe, her father's cosen germayns;
consideringe she hath not anie niror kyn nor better; her
father and myselfe came of twoe systers, Sir Philipp Cham-
pernownes daughters. I doubte not but, all other perswa-
sion sett aparte, you will satisfie her Highnes, and withall
do us that curtesie as to acquaint us with her matchinne.
Yf you desire anie matche for her of youre owne kynn, yf
you acquaynt us withall, you shall fynde us readye to yeilde
to anie reason. I hope, sir, you will deale hearein moste
advisedlie; and heerin you shal euer fynde us readye to re-
quite you in all thynges, to our power. And soe with my
verye hartye commendacions I end. In haste. From the
Courte, the XXVIth of September, 1584.
Youre moste willinge frend
W. Ralegh
With this went a letter of Sir Francis Walsingham, containing the Queen's command that the young lady be brought to court. But two hours before it reached Stradling he had yielded to the demands of the Earl of Pembroke, his feudal lord, to whom he was under such obligations that he could not venture to oppose his will, and the union with Sydney had been ar- ranged. With the exception of Whitney, the unsuccessful gallants do not seem to have been deeply wounded, and soon fixed their affections elsewhere. Sir James died, at the age of forty-three, on May 31, 1587, having, on his death-bed, made the follow- ing will:
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 169
THE LAST WILL OF SIR JAMES WHITNEY.
Dated 20 May, 1587. Proved 16 June, 1587.
(P. C. C. 38 Spencer.)
In the name of God amen. The twentith Daye of Maye a thousand five hundreth eightye seauen I, JAMES WHITNEY, of Whitney, Knighte, being sick in bodye yet of good and perfect remembraunce thanke be to Almighty God, Doe make, ordayne and constitute this my Last Will and testa- ment in manner and forme following. First, I commend my sowle to the mercy of God my maker and redeemer. And my bodye to be buryed in the parishe churche of Whitney where my Father and other my auncestors are buryed. Item, as touching the Disposing of all suche Lands and Worldly goods as it hathe pleased God to blesse me withall I devise giue and bequeathe unto Eustauce Whitney, my brother, all those my severall manors, Lands and Lord- shippes of Whitney, Pencombe, Ocle Pitchard and Kings Capel1, within the county or sheire of Hereford, Boughrid and Tre- mayne [Truman] within the County of Radnor, Icombe in the County of Gloucester, Clifton upon Dumnesmoore in the County of Warwick, and Comwiche in the County of Somer- set with all and singular the Lands, tennements and inhere- ditaments to the said manners and Lordshippes and to every of them belonging with all and singular the appurtenances to have and to holde unto the said Eustauce Whitney for terme of his naturall lyfe and after his Decease to his heires males and to all the heires males of his bodye Lawfu11y begotten. And for Defaulte of yssue male of the bodye of the said Eustauce the Remainder of all and singular the said Man- nors, Lordshippes Lands, tennements and hereditaments to George Whitney, my uncle, and to the heires males of his bodye lawfully begotten; And for Default of suche yssue the Re- mainder thereof to William Whitney, my uncle and to the heirs males of his bodye lawfully begotten; And for De- faulte of suche heires the premises with theire appurten'nces
170 The Ancestry of John Whitney
to remain and to be to Thomas Whitney of Clyro and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully begotten; And for Lack of such heires the same to remaine to Thomas Whitney of Castleton and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully be- gotten; And for Lack of suche heires the same to remaine to Richard Whitney brother to the said Thomas and to the heires males of bis bodye Lawfully to be begotten; And for Lack of suche issue the same to remaine to James Whitney of Clifford and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully begotten; And for Lack of suche yssue the same to remaine to Francis Whitney of London gent and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully begotten; And for Lack of suche heires male the same to remaine to Eustauce Whitney of Clifford and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully be- gotten; And for Lack of heires males Lawfully to be be- gotten of the bodyes of all and euery the aforesaid persons. then the same mannors and Lordshippes and every of them and all other the premises with theire appurten'nces to re- maine to Quene Elizabeth, her heirs and successors Kings and Quenes of this Realme forever. Provided allwayes and my will is that if the said Eustauce Whitney my brother or any of the heires males of his body lawfully begotten or to be begotten or any heire male of the bodyes of any issue male of the body of the said Eustauce to be begotten or any other to whome the remainder of the premises is by this my Last will and testament limitted and appointed or the heires males of the bodyes of any the fore- said person or persons shall Directly or indirectly publiquely or privately goe abowte indevour intend pactyze or putt to use to make any feoffment levye any fine or suffer any re- coverye or otherwise to make any Discontynuance in or upon the premises or any parcell thereof whereby the re- mainders before by this my Last Will and Testament limit- ted and apointed or any of them shall or maye be Dis- contynued altered chaunged Debarred made frustrate or voyde, That then and so often the estate before Lymitted to any suche person or persons and the heires males of his
[Picture omitted]
THE PARISH CHURCH AT WHITNEY.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 171
bodye Lawfully begotten shall for so muche of the premises as is or shalbe intended to be alyened or Discontinued con- trary to the true intent and meaning of these presentes shalbe and remaine to suche other person or persons to whome the same should or oughte to have remayned or come by these presentes and true meaning of this my Last Will if the same person or persons so intending to make alteration or Dis- contynuannce as is aforesaid weare then Deceased withoute yssue male of his bodye Lawfully begotten. Item. I Demise giue and bequeathe unto Thomas Stephens of Whitney the yonger all my purchased Lands viz., Tal- bodwyn within the Lordshippe of Peynes Castell within the County of Radnor. The third parte of the farme of Aberth- lewne in the County of Brecon whiche I late purchased of Roger Vaughan of Hinton in the County of Hereford, gen- tleman, And one yard Land in Oclepitchard whiche lately I purchased of one Thomas Knott To have and to holde all the said three Last recited parcells of Lands and Tene- ments with all and singular theire appuryten'nces to the said Thomas Stephens for and During the terme of his na- turall lyfe. And after the Decease of the said Thomas my will is that the same shall remaine to the foresaid Eustauce my brother During his naturall lyfe onely And after his Decease successively to all the heires males in the foresaid former entayle specified according to the true tenor and meaning thereof and upon suche condicions and limita- cions as before are sett Downe, Limitted and appointed for the guyding and Directinge the estate and estates remainder and remainders of the manors and Lordshippes as is first mencioned in this my Last Will and testament. Item. My will is that Eustauce Whitney, my brother shall haue and enjoye all and singular the proffitts, emolu- ments and commodityes arysing and coming forthe and owte of my Lease whiche I have of the Lordship of Clifford During his Lyfe time and after his Decease my will is that the same farme and the residue of the yeares in the said Lease conteyned and whiche then shalbe unexpired shalbe
172 The Ancestry of John Whitney
and remaine to every suche person and persons to whome my said mannors, Lordships, Lands, tenements and heredita- ments be by this my Last will and testament appointed to be and remaine after my Decease with the same and Lyke condicions and Limitacions as are herein mencioned for the limitacion of the inheritaunce of the same mannors, Lord- shipes, Lands, &c. Provided further that it shall not be law- full for the said Eustauce my brother nor his heirs males nor to any other the persons and heirs above named to alyenate sell assigne or surrender or forfeite or sette lease otherwise than for theire naturall lyfe of everyone of them nor suffer the saide Lease to be alienated soulde assigned or surrendered forfeyted or sette Lease the terme of yeares there in ex- pressed or any parte or parcell thereof otherwise than is beforesaid. Item. I giue and bequeathe unto my sister Blanche Grevil the sum of one hundred pounds of good and Lawfu1l money of England to be paide unto her by mine executors. Item. I giue and bequeathe to the fower Daughters of my said sister Blanche Grevill, viz., Anne, Blanche, Katherine, Dorothye Grevill, one hundred ponnds sterling apeece to be paid to them at the severall Dayes of theire marriages or within one halfe yeare after and next following. Pro- vided that if any of the said foure Daughters happen to Dye before the solemnization of any of theire said marriages, That then the Legacye of her or them so dying to be equally devided amongst the rest that live and survive. Item. I giue and bequeathe to Foulke Grevill sonne untoe Robert Grevill and Blanche my sister the some of one hun- dred pounds of good and Lawfull money of England to be paid unto him when he shall come to the full age of one and twenty years. Item. I giue and bequeathe unto Alice Price my sister's Daughter nowe Dwelling in the howse with me the some of Foure hundred pounds of lawfull Englishe money to be paid unto her at the Daye of her marriage or within one yeare next after if so be that the said Alice is choosing of
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 173
her marriage and husband shalbe onely ordered Directed and ruled by the advyce counsel and agreement of the righte Reverend Father in God Marmaduke nowe Lord Bishopp of St. Davids and my uncle George Whitney. Item. My will is that my uncle George Whitney, Julyan his wyfe and theire sonne George shall quietly and peace- ably haue holde occupye enjoye and possesse the Lordshipp of Icombe aforesaid for and During theire naturall lives and the longer liuer of them anything aboue expressed to the contrary notwithstanding, yielding and paying there-fore yearly threescore and six pounds thireene shillings and foure pence of good and Lawfull money of England to my foresaid brother Eustauce Whitney and the heires above mencioned and expressed. Item. I giue and bequeathe to William Whitney the base sonne of Sr Robert Whitney, Knighte, one annuitye or yearely porcion of twenty pounds sterling During his naturall lyfe or after the Deathe of Richard Syrell of Pencombe to haue in Lewe thereof the farme whiche the said Richard nowe holdeth at his charge During his Lyfe. Item. I giue and bequeathe unto Blanche Whitney of Clifford my kinswoman tenne pounds sterling to be paid within one yeare after my Decease by mine Executors. Item. I giue and bequeathe to Harrye Price als Henry Price and Anne nowe his wyfe and to the childe with the whiche the said Anne nowe goeth withall and is (gravida facta) twoe Fermes in Clifton whereof the one is presently in myne occupation the other in the tenure or occupation of one Margerie Frost als Jordan and the twoe other tenne- ments whiche nowe the said Henry and Anne enjoyeth lying in the villages of Stowe, Millhaughe and Whitney, During theire three lives and the Longest Liver of them, They and every of them paying the olde anncyent and ac- customed rent to my heires before expressed. Provided all- ways that it shalbe lawfull for them and every of them to sett and lett the said tennements During theire lives. Item. I giue and bequeath to William Penkin the tene-
174 The Ancestry of John Whitney
ment or farme which he holdeth of me in Stowe During his naturall lyfe paying the olde anncyent and accustomed rent for the same as before. Item. I giue and bequeathe unto Charles Jones my ser- u'nte the grounde which he nowe holdeth of me During his naturall lyfe paying the olde accustomed rent for the same. Item. I giue and bequenthe unto Thomas Walwill of Hereford, Chamboyes meadowe During his lyfe rent free and afterwards to my foresaid heires. Item. I giue and bequeathe to every of my householde seru'nts as well men as women (if my brother Eustauce will not entertayne them unto his service or for to so many of them as he will not entertayne and kepe) three yeares wages apeece, The names of whiche servaunts are herun- der expressed with the sume of theire severall wages by the yeare uppon theire heades. Imprimis William Byrte forty shillings; Thomas Patye forty shillings; William Turner forty shillings; Thomas Smith als Williams forty shillings; Roger Williams forty shillings; John Morgan twenty-six shillings eight pence; William Taylor, forty shillings; Thomas Brewar forty shillings; Edward Hors- man twenty-six shillings eight pence; Thomas Walter, Bayliffe, twenty-three shillings foure pence; Thomas Prich- ard, thirty-three shillings foure pence; Thomas ap Owen . . . . . .1 John Sheparde als Hall fortye shillings; John Williams twenty shillings; Edward Ystance twenty shillings; Symeon Abeynon, Watkyn Price twenty-six shil- lings eighte pence; William Morgan referred to the executors; Robert Picke forty shillings and referred to the executors; Robert Price als Lycence eightene shillings; John Price my foote boye eighte pounds onely to be imployed by my ex- ecutors to his proffitt; Dame Cooke forty shillings in all; Margaret Bradford eightene shillings. Item. I giue and bequeathe Margaret Richard two shil- lings; Margaret Jones twelve shillings; Elizabeth Hall XIIs; Katherine Thomas thirtene shillings.
1 So in original.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 175
Item. I giue and bequeathe to Marye Milnes Daughter to my uncle George Whitney twoe hundred pounds of good and Lawfull money of England to be paid to her within one yeare next after my Decease. Item. I giue and bequeathe towards the reparac'on of the Cathedrall Churche of Hereford three pounds six shil- lings eighte pence. Item. My will is that Anne Edmonds, Henry Edmond and John Edmond her sonnes shall have and enjoye the tene- ment they nowe holde and the keping of the boate with the proffitts thereunto belonging during theire three lives and the longer liver of them paying onely twenty shillings by the yeare to my foresaid heires. Item. My will is that myne executors hereafter to be named shall and maye after my Decease Demise and sett these three mannors and Lordshippes viz., Oclepitchard, Clifton and Comewitche for three lives or fourscore yeares at the auncyent and accustomed rents and all suche fynes as they shall receive for and uppon my Demise to be by them made to reserve and take towards the payment and Dis- charge of all my Debtes, Legacies, Aunuityes and Funerall expences. And if there be any overplus of the saide fynes together with the moveable goods after my Debts Legacyes annuityes and Funerall expenses Discharged Then my will is that the rest and overplus thereof be Delivered to mine executors. Provided allwayes and my will is that Eustauce Whitney my brother shall enter into bond obligation of tenne thousand pounds to myne executors and overseers not onely to fulfill and performe all the singular the con- tents in this my last will and testament specified and con- teyned but also to permitt and suffer all and singular my gifts, Legacies, Leases, grants and Annuitycs to stand in force and to be performed according to the true meaning purpose and intent of this my Last will and testament. And further withall to suffer and permitt all and singular my seru'nts whiche hold any Land of me by Lease or otherwise peaceablye and quietly to enjoye and possesse
176 The Ancestry of John Whitney
the same During the yeares and termes in theire said Leases and grants conteyned into whiche bonde if my said brother Eustauce will refuse to enter or will not suffer and permitt all and singular the clauses articles gifts graunts anunityes Leases thing or things in this my Last will and testament specified to be performed accordingly by myn executors and overseers, Then my will is that my Uncle George Whitney shalbe my next and ymediate heire and that the saide Eustauce Whitney my brother shall reape no proffit or benefite by this my Last will and testament. But thereof and every parte and parcell thereof shalbe clearely secluded Disannulled and Exempted. And if my saide brother Doe refuse as is aforesaid Then Doe I hereby revo- cate all my former Legacies to him or to any the yssues males of his bodye Lawfully begotten before bequeathed anything in this my Last will and testament conteyned to the contrary notwithstanding. All the Rest of my goods and chattells as well moveable as unmovable before not Demised given or bequeathed I give and bequeathe to George Whitney and William Whit- ney my uncles and to Richard Shippam of London, my kinnesman towards the Discharge and payment of all my Debts Legacies Annuityes and Funerall expenses the whiche said George Whitney, William Whitney and Richard Shippam I doe make constitute and ordayne executors of this my Last will and testament to see the same truly and faithfully kepte fulfilled and performed according to my true meaning And Doe nominate and appointe the saide Reverend Father in God Marmaduke nowe Lord Bisshopp of St. Davids and the Worshipfull Mr. John Watkins Deane of the Cathedrall Churche of Hereford to be overseers of this my last will and testament. Item. My will and meaning is that this my present Last will and testament shalbe orderly Drawen and putt in writ- ing according to Lawe and my true meaning by Counsell Learned in the Lawes of the Realme so that no poynte clause or thing whiche shalbe materiall therin conteyned
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 177
be altered and changed contrary to my intent and purpose whiche my meaning intent and purpose yf any Doubte or question shall happen at any time hereafter to arise I re- ferree to be Declared and Deluded by the Right Reverend Father in God Marmaduke Lord Bishopp of St. Davids and the said Mr. John Watkins and Mr. George Whitney my un- cle or to any twoe of them. Item. My will is that all and singular suche plate as I have shalbe and remayne to the howse of Whitney forever as standards never to be soulde nor removed the particular parcells whereof are hereunder specified, nominated and Declared. In wittnes wherof I have hereunto subscribed my name and putt my seale of armes the Daye and yeare of our Lord first above written viz. vicesimo May 1587. Item. If my foresaid brother Eustauce Whitney will not suffer and permitt the foresaid Thomas Stephens of Whitney the yonger quietly and peaceably to enjoye and possesse all those my purchased Lands whiche by this my Last will and testament I haue given him During his naturall lyfe and according to the true meaning of this my last will and tes- tament Then my will is and I giue and bequethe and by these presents assigne and sette over unto the saide Thomas Stephens all that my Lease of the mannor or Lordshipp of Clifford with all my righte title or interest I haue or oughte to haue therein or thereunto with all and singuler the Lands hereditaments and appurtenances with all emoluments prof- fitts and comodityes whatsoever to the same in any wise be- longing or apperteyning During his naturall Lyfe paying therefore onely the olde accustomed rent Due by my saide lease unto suche as by the said Lease it is Due and the resi- due of the yeares unexpired after his Decease my will is it shalbe at the disposicon of myne executors and overseers.
THE PARTICULIARITYES OF MY PLATE.
Imprimis, one Bason and ewer of parcell gilte Item, one nest of gilte gobletts with one cover
178 The Ancestry of John Whitney
Item, twoe white bolls parcell gilte with a cover Item, one standing cuppe Dubble gilte with a cover Item, twoe greate saltes gilte with a cover to them1 Item, one white gobblett. Item, one casting bottle gilte. Item, twoe gilte potts. Item, one pott parcell gilte. Item, one spoone bowle. Item, six gilte spoones. Item, seaven white spoones of Divers sortes.
TRANSLATION OF PROBATE.
Probate of the above written will was granted at London, before the Venerable Master William Drury, Doctor of Laws, Master keeper or Commissary &c. the 16th day of the month of June, 1581, by the oath of Francis Clerk, Notary Public, Proctor for George Whitney, William Whitney and Richard Shippam the Executors in the said will nominated, to whom was committed &c. well and truly to administer &c. being sworne upon the Holy Evangelists of God.
In the Record Office there are the fragments of parchments that were once the pleadings in a suit in Chancery, begun in October, 1595, entitled "Thomas Myll2 vs. Eustace Whitney et al," brought to estab- lish, in opposition to the foregoing will, another, made a week earlier. They originally consisted of the bill of complaint, the answer and demurrer of Eustace Whitney, and the answer of William Whit-
1 "The families of the nobles and gentry dined in the great hall with all the servants. Half way down the table stood a large salt-cellar of silver or pewter. Above this sat the master, his family, and guests; be- low it were retainers and servants of all degrees; hence the expression, to sit above, or below, the salt." "Royal History of England," p.244. 2 Married a daughter of George Whitney of Icomb, uncle to Sir James.
Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century 179
ney, uncle to the said James and Eustace. Much of the writing is destroyed by the rotting away of the material on which it appeared, but enough is left to explain why a second will was made. William, for example, makes this statement:
And this defendante further sayeth that true yt ys that all the tyme of the laste sicknes of the saide Sir James Whytney whereof he dyed, wch this defendante taketh to be the tyme when the saide Sir James Whytney did firste cause his laste Wyll and Testamente to be sett downe in Wry- tinge, there was greate displeasure or dislike betweene the saide Sir James Whytney and the saide Eustauce Whytney; But afterwards and before the departure out of this lyfe of the saide Sir James Whytney he the saide Eustauce Whyt- ney, by the medyac'on of this defendante, beynge uncle unto both the said parties was reconcyled unto the said Sir James. After wch reconcyliac'on he the saide Sir James Whytney did [and here occurs a hole in the parchment]
The sums of money mentioned show that Whitney was, in personal property, to say nothing of his es- tates, a wealthy man. "Foure hundred pounds," the amount given to Alice Price, now would only be equal to two thousand dollars, but then it was equiv- alent to nearly or quite twenty thousand dollars. Such things are relative. It will be noticed that forty shillings was then the highest pay per annum that any of Sir James's men-servants received. In the fifteenth century haymakers received only a penny a day; laborers, three half pence; carpenters, two pence; and masons, three pence.1 In the reign of Henry VIII., beef and mutton sold for a half pen- ny a pound, and veal and pork for three farthings;
1 "Royal History of England," p.155.
180 The Ancestry of John Whitney
yet fresh meat was seldom eaten by the common people, and by gentlemen only from Midsummer to Michaelmas.1 In the beginning of the seventeenth century, when King James's translation of the Bible was made, it seemed proper enough, in the parable of the vineyard, to speak of the laborers as receiving each their "penny" for bearing "the burden and heat of the day." There is an interesting subject for speculation in the question, what finally became of those articles of plate that were to "be and remayne to the howse of Whitney forever as standards never to be soulde nor removed."
1 "Royal History of England," p. 224.</div>
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Categories: Medieval | England | Herefordshire, England | Whitney, Herefordshire, England | Pencombe, Herefordshire, England | Ocle Pitcherd, Herefordshire, England | Kings Caple, Herefordshire, England | Comwich, Herefordshire, England | Clifton, Herefordshire, England | Gloucestershire, England | Icomb, Gloucestershire, England | Wales | Monmouthshire, Wales | Troy, Monmouthshire, Wales | Radnorshire, Wales | Boughrood, Radnorshire, Wales
