Will of Frances Aylmer 1540

[WillowG]

From Kate Emerson's excellent Who's Who of Tudor Women (from which we are allowed to quote in appropriate snippets as long as we give credit):

ANNE BURES (1526-September 19, 1609)
Anne Bures was the daughter of Sir Henry Bures (Buers/Bury) of Acton Hall, Suffolk (1501-July 1528) and Anne Waldegrave (1506-April 24, 1590). She and two of her sisters were married to the three sons of Sir William Butts, royal physician, Anne to Edmund of Barrow, Suffolk (1523-1550) in 1547, Jane (1522-1594) to William of Thornage, Norfolk (1519-September 3, 1583), and Bridget to Thomas of Great Riburgh, Norfolk. The marriage of Anne and Edmund was the only one to produce an heir, Anne Butts (c.1548-September 19, 1616; married Sir Nicholas Bacon in 1564). Anne spent sixty-one years as a widow. Her monumental brass in the Church of St. Mary at Redgrave, Suffolk is on a slab of black Belgian marble of unusual size and beauty.
http://www.tudorwomen.com/?page_id=646

[WillowG]

Aaaaand I've found Elizabeth!

Short title: Ailmer v Howard.
Plaintiffs: Edmund Ailmer and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of William Tyrell, of Beches, knight.
Defendants: William Howard, clerk, executor of William Tyrell.
Subject: Marriage portion of the said Elizabeth. Essex
Date: 1485-1486
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7453731

Her father was Sir William Tyrrell (died c.1471) of Beeches in Rawreth, Essex, her mother either his first wife, Anne Fitz Simon, the daughter of William Fitz Simon or FitzSimond, or his second wife Philippe Thornbury, the daughter of John Thornbury.

Her paternal grandparents were Sir John Tyrrell (d. 2 April 1437), Speaker of the House of Commons, and his wife Alice Coggeshall (d.1422), daughter and heir of Sir William Coggeshall (d.1426).

Last Will and Testament of Sir William Tyrrell of Beeches (d.1471) – Elizabeth's father
http://www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-5-167.pdf

Sir John Tyrrell (d.1437) – Wikipedia Page – Elizabeth's grandfather
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tyrrell_(died_1437)

Sir John Tyrrell (c.1382–1437) – History of Parliament Page – Elizabeth's grandfather
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/member/tyrell-john-1382-1437

Last Will and Testament of John Tyrrell of Beeches (d.1494) – Elizabeth's brother
http://www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-10-311.pdf

Last Will and Testament of Edmund (!) Tyrrell of Ramsden Barrington (d.1576) – Elizabeth's nephew
http://www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-58-499.pdf

Edmund Tyrrell (by 1513–1576) – History of Parliament Page – Elizabeth's nephew
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/tyrrell-edmund-1513-76

Elizabeth Tyrrell Aylmer's first cousin, Sir James Tyrrell (c. 1455 – 6 May 1502), was an English knight and a trusted servant of King Richard III of England. He is known for allegedly confessing to the murders of the Princes in the Tower under Richard's orders. William Shakespeare portrays Tyrrell as the man who organises the princes' murder in Richard III. Tyrrell was tried and convicted of treason at the Guildhall in London on the 2nd of May 1502, and executed four days later on the 6th May 1502. He was attainted on the 25th of January 1504; however the attainder was reversed three years later, on the 19th of April 1507.

Sir James Tyrrell (c. 1455–1502) – Wikipedia Page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tyrrell

Nina Green in her translation/transcription of the above wills, includes a quote from Benton, supra, pp. 653-60 at: http://books.google.ca/books?id=ioYuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA653

There is nothing upon record to prove whether Sir William Tyrell’s design [for a school] was carried out, or what became of his daughters.

Well, we know what became of one them now, don't we?

I do love solving a 500 year old mystery

[WillowG]

From Kate Emerson's excellent Who's Who of Tudor Women (from which we are allowed to quote in appropriate snippets as long as we give credit):

ELIZABETH TYRRELL (c.1436-1507) - Elizabeth's first cousin
Elizabeth Tyrrell was the daughter of Sir Thomas Tyrrell of Heron Hall, East Horndon, Essex (c.1405-March 28, 1476) and Anne de Marney (d.1476). Her first husband was Sir Robert Darcy of Danbury, Essex (c.1419- November 2,1469). Their children were Anne, Thomas (1459-September 22, 1485), Robert, Elizabeth, Eleanor, and four others. In c.1470, she married Richard Haute or Hawte of Bishopsbourne, Kent (1434-1487). They had two daughters, Anne and Elizabeth. Elizabeth Woodville appointed her as lady mistress of the king’s nursery in 1471, making her responsible for Prince Edward and his staff of attendants. After the birth of Prince Arthur on September 20, 1486, she was given the same responsibilities in his household as lady governess. She was paid an annuity of £46 in June 1487 and an additional forty marks in 1488. Serving under her supervision, among others, were Catherine Gibbs, nurse, Elizabeth Wood, gentlewoman, and three rockers—Amy Boteler, Emelyn Hobbes, and Alison Biwimble.
http://www.tudorwomen.com/?page_id=709

Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Tyrrell Darcy Haute (d.1507) - Elizabeth's first cousin
http://www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-15-363.pdf

ELEANOR TYRRELL (1466-September 20, 1520+) - Elizabeth's first cousin
Eleanor Tyrrell was the daughter of Sir William Tyrrell of Gipping, Suffolk. She married Sir Edmund Knyvett of Buckenham Castle, Norfolk (c.1462-c.1504) and was the mother of Thomas (d. August 10, 1512), William, Anthony (1485-1549), Christopher (1491-1520), James, Anne (d.1558), Edward, and Edmund (d. May 1, 1540). King Henry VIII granted her an annuity of £10. She was the guardian of her son Thomas’s orphaned children and received quarterly wages of £22 8s. 4d. in July 1515 for the “finding” of them. These grandchildren were Catherine, Anne, Edmund (1507/8-May 1, 1550/1), Ferdinando, Henry (d. March 30, 1547), and Anthony Knyvett.
http://www.tudorwomen.com/?page_id=709

ANNE KNYVETT (c.1475-1558) - Daughter of the above
Anne Knyvett was the daughter of Edmund Knyvett of Buckenham Castle, Norfolk (c.1462-1504) and Eleanor Tyrrell (1466-1520+). She married Sir George St. Leger of Annery, Devon and they had three children, John (c.1520-October 8, 1596), Catherine, and George (b.1530). One online genealogy states that Anne St. Leger owned a lead mine at Shebbear. Anne was a lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon and was probably the Lady Selenger of Kent who was at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. Selenger and Selinger were common spellings of St. Leger. This makes me wonder if Anne and Sir George might have been the couple Neville Williams identifies as participating in a masque at court on Twelfth Night 1515. The name is given as Fellinger. Williams says Fellinger is an Imperial diplomat but offers no other information, not even a first name. On January 9, 1514, Lady Selinger bought a gown of “right crimson velvet” from the yeoman of robes. She still owed him £6 some time later. Anne Knyvett, Lady St. Leger definitely participated in the court revels of 1517-18.
http://www.tudorwomen.com/?page_id=691

ANNE KNYVETT (c.1506-c.1533) - Daughter of the above
Anne Knyvett was the daughter of Sir Thomas Knyvett of Buckenham Castle, Norfolk (d. August 10, 1512) and Muriel Howard (1485-December 14, 1512). Her mother wrote her will on October 13, 1512 (proved January 12, 1513), leaving her children to the care of King Henry. In 1519-20, Anne Knyvett was given six yards of yellow bridge (Bruges?) satin for a kirtle, 2¼  ells of black worsted for a kirtle, lined with two ells of black kersey, and ten ells of linen, as well as ribbons, shoes, hose, and other items. In the covenant for a marriage settlement dated May 31, 1527, Anne was described as “one of the queen’s gentlewomen and one of the daughters of Sir Thomas Knyvett deceased.” She was to marry Thomas Thuresby or Thoresby of Asshewykyne.
http://www.tudorwomen.com/?page_id=691

She or her sister-in-law Anne Shelton (below) is probably the Anne Knywett that followed Princess Mary Tudor into Wales alongside Lady Katherine Grey and Frances Aylmer.

ANNE SHELTON (d. September 17, 1563)
Anne Shelton was the daughter of Sir John Shelton of Shelton and Carrow, Norfolk (c.1472-December 21, 1539) and Anne Boleyn (c.1475-December 1556), the sister of Queen Anne Boleyn’s father. Anne married Sir Edmund Knyvett of Buckenham Castle, Norfolk (d.  May 1, 1551) by 1527. As he was not knighted until 1538/9, she may have been the Mistress Anne Knyvett in the household of Princess Mary in Wales in 1525-7. In 1538, her aunt, Alice Boleyn Clere, left her “a tablet of gold with the picture of the Salutation of Our Lady in it with 8 rubies and 24 pearls in the same.”Their children still living when Anne died in 1563 were Thomas (d. September 22, 1569), Edmund, Henry, and Anthony. Her second husband was Christopher Coote of Blonorton, by whom may have had another son, Richard (d.1563+).
http://www.tudorwomen.com/?page_id=707

I think we have found the family connection that made such a placement natural for Frances Aylmer

[WillowG]

I believe I may have found Frances Aylmer the Younger.

I have known of the existence of this Frances Aylmer for some time, but had discounted her because I thought she must have been older than the Frances Aylmer we are looking for, and who would have been a child in 1540.

Frances Aylmer, daughter of Alexander Aylmer of Tanington in Suffolk, married to Christopher Thetford of Titleshall in Norfolk. (The Thetfords have one son named Christopher, and one son Roger)
https://archive.org/stream/visitacionievisi32ryew#page/280/search/Aylmer

However, looking at the family's entry in The Visitation of London, Anno Domine 1633, 1634, and 1635, and looking at the person who provided the information, and counting approximately four generations per century, I do believe it might be her.

Frances Aylmer - The Visitation of London, Anno Domine 1633, 1634, and 1635
https://archive.org/stream/visitationoflond17howa#page/n289/search/Thetford

A quick rehash of the information we have about Alexander Aylmer, and some new:

Edmund, Roger and Thomas Aylmer in the 1480's.

Alexander, mentioned as the nephew and heir of Thomas Aylmer, gentleman, in 1532-1538 in connection with deeds relating to messuages and land in Tivetshall, Norfolk, the given birthplace of John Aylmer, Bishop of London.

Christopher Aylmer, mentioned as the grandson and heir of Thomas Aylmer, in 1553-1555 in connection with a cottage and land in the manor of Harlow, Essex. Sir Laurence Aylmer's son Anthony had been the vicar of the parish church of Harlow in Essex.

Reference: E 328/260
Description: Indenture of Sale. (1) Sir Arthur Plantagenet kt., and Dame Elizabeth, his wife, (2) Sir Henry Guildeford kt. and Sir Thomas West kt., and (3) Anthony Wyndesore esq. John Wayt esq., Alexander Aylemere and Leonard Wayte. Parties in (3), Michaelmas term, 14 Henry VIII, Westminster, recovered against (1) manor of Kyngeston Lyale, 60 messuages, 1,200 a. land, 500 a. meadow, 1,000 a. wood £20 rent in Kyngeston Lysle, Balking, Hordwell, Offington, Sparesholt, Freshden and Highworth, co. Berks the manor of Chaddesley, 500 messuages, 2,000 a. land, 500 a. meadow, 1,000 a. pasture, 1,000 a. wood, 3,000 a. heath or bushes, in Chaddesley, co. Worcs. ; manors of Norton Beauchampe, Sandeforde, Lympesham and Torrok, 60 messuages, 1,500 a. land, 1,000 a. meadow, 1,000 a. pasture, 500 a. marsh and the Isle of Staplesholmes and £40 rent on Norton Beauchampe, Worle, Worspryng, Bamwell, Uphyll and Brene, co. Somerset ; manors of Payneswyke and Moreton Valence, 500 messuages, 6,000 a. land, 5,000 a. meadow, 5,000 a. pasture, 500 a. wood and £40 rent in Payneswyke, Moreton Valence, Cockbery and Stanley Pountley, co. Glouc. ; manor of Whaddon, 6 messuages, 20 gardens, 100 a. land, 100 a. meadow, 200 a. pasture and £10 rent in Whaddon and the town of Gloucester. After death of Dame Elizabeth, manor of Kyngeston Lysle, co. Berks. and manor of Kybworthe, otherwise called the manor of Beauchampe, co. Leics. to use of John Dudley, her son and heir. Manors of Payneswyke, Moreton Valence and Whaddon, co. Glouc. and manor of Chaddesley, co. Worcs. to use of Sir Arthur, and in default to use of John Dudley. Manors of Whetehill, co. Salop, ans manor of Ribbesforde, co. Worcs. to use of Sir Arthur and executors. A true copy certified by Arthur Darcy, Edward Mountagu, Richard Ryche (signatures).
Date: 17 November 1522.
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3540251

Reference: E 211/339
Description: Indenture by Covenant Parties: Sir Arthur Plantagenet, kt., and Elizabeth his wife; Sir Henry Guldeford, kt., and Sir Thomas West, kt.; Anthony Wyndesore, John Wayt esqs., Leonard Wayt and Alexander Aylmere. Places or Subjects: Kingston Lisle, Balking, Uffington, Sparsholt and elsewhere., County Berks. Chaddesley Corbett., County Wors. Norton Beauchamp, Sampford, Lympsham, Tarnock, Worle and elsewhere., County Soms. Painswick, Gloucester, Moreton Valance and elsewhere., County Glos. Kibworth Beauchamp., County Leics.
Note: Copy
Date: 14 Hen.VIII (1523)
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3521560

Sir Arthur Plantagenet, knight, is the same person as we encountered as Lord Lisle in the will of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquis of Dorset.

Sir Henry Guildford was also mentioned in the will of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquis of Dorset. They were brothers-in-law.

Furthermore, I find an Alexander Aylmer as the steward of Kingston Lisle in 1533 in the Lisle Papers.

Alexander Aylmer appears to have died in 1552.

Inquisitions Post Mortem, Aylmer, Alexander: Norfolk, Date: 5 Edw. VI. (1552)
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7759823
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7820999

[WillowG]

However, either he, or another Alexander Aylmer, appears to have left a will in 1548:

Nicholas ELDRED, gent., of Knettishall, Suffolk, England in his will of 27 August 1566 (proved at Bury St Edmunds on 17 Feb 1566/7) mentioned his sons Thomas, Edmund & William, his son (in law) Stephen ROOKWOOD (spelt Rockood in the will) and his wife Bridgit (who, almost certainly, was not the mother of Thomas, Edmund, William or the unnamed daughter, as I think one can deduce from the wills of Bridgit's parents Alexander AYLMER (will, at Stratton, Norfolk, 8 Oct 1548) & Anne (will, in the name JACOB/BRADLOVE, probably at Norwich, 14 Feb 1561/2).
https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/rookwood/12/

If this is indeed the same Alexander, he appears to have had a another daughter named Bridgit and a wife named Anne.

Another mention of an Alexander Aylmer:

Short title: Wade v Wade
Plaintiffs: Margery, late the wife of William WADE and administratrix of his goods.
Defendants: Roger WADE, their son, and Alexander AYLMER, gentleman.
Subject: Messuage and land in Brundish, of the demise of the said Aylmer. Suffolk.
SFP
Date: 1544 April 22 - 1547 Feb 15
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7495352

And this is precisely the branch of Aylmers that I suspect that John Aylmer belong to.