Confusing relationships in will of 1575

[Davedrave]

The will of Philip Ley of 1575 mentions his “daughter in law” Margaret Lytherlande, and also mentions the “mother in law” of Philip’s son William (William will inherit something she is left if he survives her). She is referred to as “aforesaid”. Philip has earlier mentioned “Elizabeth Ley my wife” but otherwise only seems to mention his (Philip’s) daughters by name. I’m confused. Any explanations?

Dave

[arthurk]

Sometimes "in law" was used in relationships where we would use "step", so this might be referring to a stepdaughter and stepmother.

Logically that could work, if Philip's first wife (William's mother) died and he then married Elizabeth Lytherlande (a widow, and mother of Margaret). PR entries might confirm this or otherwise.

[Davedrave]

Thanks arthurk, your explanation certainly makes sense of this. I did have a look to see if I could find a baptism of Margaret Lytherland but it was presumably too early to appear in the record. Certainly Philip had a daughter by Elizabeth Ley in 1569, which is about the first year of the surviving register in this parish (and no record elsewhere locally either). Son William’s baptism is also missing, and he was having children of his own baptised by 1578.

Dave