Thomas Tresham – Lancastrian and Speaker of the Commons.

Thomas Tresham was born in about 1420. He was the son of William Tresham and Isabel Vaux. (Isabel Vaux was the great-aunt of that Sir William Vaux who was executed at Tewkesbury.) William Tresham was an important servant of Henry VI, which undoubtedly helped his son’s advancement. In 1443, father and son were appointed joint… Continue reading Thomas Tresham – Lancastrian and Speaker of the Commons.

Sir Edward Dalyngrigge – Soldier, Politician, Courtier and Builder of Bodiam Castle

Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri @sparkypus.com Bodiam Castle, Sussex. Built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge between 1385-1388.  Photo History of Bodiam Castle.  Bodiam Castle.  What a beauty and is it possible to find an even finer epitome of a medieval English Castle?  The builder was Sir Edward  Dalyngrigge –  also spelt Dallingridge  –  (c.1346-1393),  the son and… Continue reading Sir Edward Dalyngrigge – Soldier, Politician, Courtier and Builder of Bodiam Castle

Sir William Vaux and his wife, Katherine.

William Vaux was born about 1435. He was the son of Sir William Vaux and Maud, daughter and heiress of Sir Geoffrey Lucy. His most important manor was Harrowden in Northamptonshire, which was eventually to provide a title for the peers who followed him, who were known as ‘Lord Vaux of Harrowden.’ He also had… Continue reading Sir William Vaux and his wife, Katherine.

Why was Maud Francis her father’s heir when she had elder brothers?

The thrice-married Maud Francis, who eventually became Countess of Salisbury, was undoubtedly the heir of her father, the extremely wealthy Sir Adam Francis (1325-75), at one time Lord Mayor of London. Yet she had no fewer than three elder brothers, born to the same mother, so how could this be? The answer is, dear Reader,… Continue reading Why was Maud Francis her father’s heir when she had elder brothers?

Sir Ralph Assheton. (The ‘Black Knight of Ashton’) Vice-Constable of England.

There is some confusion about the parentage of Sir Ralph Assheton. At least, various internet sources give him alternative mothers. His father was Sir John Assheton of Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. The family’s main residence was Ashton Hall, although this building was sadly destroyed in the 1890s to make way for a coal yard. The medieval parish… Continue reading Sir Ralph Assheton. (The ‘Black Knight of Ashton’) Vice-Constable of England.

Ankarette Twynho

Who was Ankarette Twynho? It takes a lot of working out, as there is only limited information available and there are quite a lot of Twynhos, most of whom have some sort of official link to the court or to parliament. Ankarette herself was born a Hawkston or Hawkstone, sometime around 1412. Sadly, we do… Continue reading Ankarette Twynho

Ranulph Lord Dacre of Gilsland – The Lord who was buried with his horse.

Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri @sparkypus.com The monument in All Saints Church, Saxton over the grave of Ranulph Lord Dacre and his horse. Photo Mary Emma1@Flkir Ranulph/Ranulf/Randolph/Ralph, Lord Dacre of Gilsland’s precise date of birth is lost to us – as is his exact Christian name it would seem -but has been suggested as c.1412 although… Continue reading Ranulph Lord Dacre of Gilsland – The Lord who was buried with his horse.

Another medieval scoundrel who abducted a woman….!

  I’ve written before, more than once, about the abominable practice of medieval men abducting women and forcing them into marriage in order to lay hands on their estates. It was a capital way for impoverished, unprincipled knights to improve their status and finances. In this they were only too usually aided and abetted by… Continue reading Another medieval scoundrel who abducted a woman….!

The Bishop, the MP, the scientist, the historian and the brewer

The preacher at St. Paul’s stated that the late King’s surviving issue were illegitimate. On this occasion, it wasn’t Dr. Ralph Shaa on 22nd June 1483 about Edward IV’s sons but Rt. Rev. Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London and Westminster, on 9 July 1553 about Henry VIII’s daughters, at which time Jane was proclaimed. As… Continue reading The Bishop, the MP, the scientist, the historian and the brewer

Arthur Capell, Baron Hadham – the accidental traitor

Introduction The middle of the seventeenth century was a turbulent time and it would be very surprising were not some remnants of the House of York involved. Indeed, Ashby de la Zouch Castle, property of Ferdinando, Earl of Huntingdon, was slighted during this time as a result of his participation. Another Royalist partisan was Arthur… Continue reading Arthur Capell, Baron Hadham – the accidental traitor