John Knyvet
Sir John Knyvet (or Knivett) (died 16 February 1381) was an English lawyer and administrator.[1][2] He was Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1365 to 1372, and Lord Chancellor of England from 1372 to 1377.[3][4]
Life
[edit]Knyvett was eldest son of Richard Knyvet of Southwick, Northamptonshire, and a keeper of the "Forest of Clyve" (now part of Rockingham Forest). His mother was Joanna, a daughter and the heiress of Sir John Wurth. He married Eleanor, daughter of Ralph, Lord Basset of Weldon, and they had four sons and a daughter. He owned and improved Southwick Manor, which he inherited from his father; the house still survives today.
Knyvet was practicing in the courts as early as 1347; in 1357 he was called to the degree of Serjeant-at-law, and on 30 September 1361 was appointed a justice of the Court of Common Pleas. On 29 October 1365 he was raised to the office of Chief Justice of the King's bench. In the Parliament of 1362 he served as a "trier of petitions" for Aquitaine and other lands over sea, and afterwards in each Parliament down to 1380, except while he was Chancellor, as a trier of petitions for England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
On 30 June 1372, after the death of Sir Robert Thorpe, who had been appointed Chancellor in consequence of a petition by the commons that the great seal should be entrusted to laymen, Knyvet was appointed his successor. He held the office for four and a half years until 1377;[5] three speeches which he made at the opening of Parliament in 1372, 1373, and 1376 respectively, are given in the Rolls of Parliament.[6]
In January 1377 Edward III, under the influence of John of Gaunt, reverted to the custom of appointing ecclesiastical chancellors, and Adam de Houghton was appointed to succeed Knyvet on 11 January Knyvet did not again hold judicial office, though he was appointed with the two chief justices to decide a question between the Earl of Pembroke and William la Zouch of Haryngworth. He was an executor of the will of Edward III.
Family
[edit]Knyvet held large estates both in Northamptonshire and East Anglia, and when he died in 1381[7] his descendants established themselves as an important family in Norfolk. His children included:
- John Knyvet (c. 1359–1418). He became M.P. for Huntingdonshire, and married Joan Botetort.[8]
- Robert Knyvet (d. 1419), second son, married Margaret and had:
- Thomas Knyvet (d. 1458[9]) of Stanway, Essex,[10] Esq., son and heir, who married Eleanor, daughter of John Doreward (d. 1495) of Doreward's Hall and Margery Naunton (d. 1517[11]), the daughter of Peter Naunton of Letheringham, Suffolk, and the third wife Sir James Hobart,[11] and had:
- John Knyvet. He held the manor of Great Stanway, which continued in the same family, passing to Thomas Knivet, Esq., and to Edward, the last male heir, when it went to his daughter, Elizabeth, who was married to Sir John Rainsforth, but died without children, in 1507.[9] The wife of Edward Knyvett of Stanway (d. 4 February 1501[12][13]) and the mother of Elizabeth (1490[12]–1507[9]) was Anne Calthorpe (d. 20 October 1497[14][15]), the widow of John Cressener (d. 24 August 1485[16]).[17][18] Both John Cressener and his brother-in-law William Curson, the husband of Anne's sister Agnes, died in the days of the Battle of Bosworth Field.[19] Anne and Agnes were both the granddaughters of Margery le Despenser. Anne was also the mother of John Cressener (b. 1485[14]). At the inquisition post mortem of Edward Knyvett of Stanway, 28 April 1501, it was reported that Elizabeth Knyvet, aged 11 and more at the time of his death, was his daughter and heir. 'Immediately after his death John Raynesford, knight, abducted the said Elizabeth to places unknown and still detains her in his custody.'[12]
- Margaret, who married Robert Baynard.[20] Margaret appointed Beatrice Cornburgh the executor of her will, and Beatrice in turn mentioned Margaret's two sons Thomas and William in hers.[21] Richard Banyard was a servant and executor to Sir William Knyvett, and was also a servant of Sir Thomas Lestrange,[22] and may have been the husband of his aunt, Anne, the daughter of Sir Robert Radcliffe of Hunstanton and Katherine Drury, a daughter of Roger Drury of Hawstead in Suffolk. Her first husband had been Henry Le Strange (died after 1483) of Hunstanton,[23] and together they were the grandparents of Sir Thomas Lestrange.
- Nicholas[20]
- Robert[20]
- Thomas Knyvet (d. 1458[9]) of Stanway, Essex,[10] Esq., son and heir, who married Eleanor, daughter of John Doreward (d. 1495) of Doreward's Hall and Margery Naunton (d. 1517[11]), the daughter of Peter Naunton of Letheringham, Suffolk, and the third wife Sir James Hobart,[11] and had:
- Henry Knyvet
- Richard Knyvet
- Margery Knyvet
A member of the family, Katherine Knyvet, was elected as the Abbess of Delapré Abbey in Northampton in 1333. She died of the plague there in 1349.[24]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kingsford, Charles Lethbridge. . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 31. p. 339.
- ^ W.M. Ormrod, 'Knyvet, Sir John (d. 1381)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (O.U.P. 2004).
- ^ E. Foss, The Judges of England, Vol. III: 1272-1377 (Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, London 1851), pp. 451-53 (Google).
- ^ J. Campbell, The Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England Series I (3 vols) (John Murray, London 1845), I, pp. 264-68 (Google).
- ^ F.M. Powicke and E. B. Fryde, Handbook of British Chronology, 2nd. ed. (Royal Historical Society, London 1961), p. 84.
- ^ Rotuli Parliamentorum, Vol. II (1769), pp. 309a (Sect. "2"), p. 316 and p. 321 (Google).
- ^ '364-372. Inquisitions post mortem of John Knyvet, knight', in M. C. B. Dawes, A. C. Wood and D. H. Gifford, Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 15: Richard II (London 1970), pp. 149-62 (British History Online).
- ^ C. Rawcliffe, 'Knyvet, John (1358/9-1418), of Mendlesham, Suff.', in J.S. Roskell, L. Clark and C. Rawcliffe (eds), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421 (from Boydell and Brewer, 1993, History of Parliament Online.
- ^ a b c Wright, Thomas (1836). The History and Topography of the County of Essex. Vol. 1. p. 401.
Margaret, daughter of John Castelayn, Esq.: she was married to Robert Knivet, Esq., second son of Sir John Knivet, made lord chancellor of England in 1373, and brought him the manor of Stanway, with other estates. He sold Stanway to John Doreward, and dying in 1419, left by his wife, Margaret, Thomas Knivet, Esq., his son and heir, who, by his wife Eleanor, daughter of John Doreward, had John, his son, who succeeded him on his death in 1458. He held the manor of Great Stanway, which continued in the same family, passing to Thomas Knivet, Esq., and to Edward, the last male heir, when it went to his daughter, Elizabeth, who was married to Sir John Rainsforth, but died without children, in 1507
- ^ Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, 2nd Edition, 2011. Vol. I. Douglas Richardson. p. 520. ISBN 978-1-4610-4520-5.
- ^ a b "Blofield Hundred: Plumstede Parva | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
Margery, his 3d wife, daughter of Peter Naunton, Esq. of Letheringham in Suffolk, relict of John Dorward, Esq. he had 2 sons, Sir Walter, the eldest, of Hales-hall in Loddon, and Miles, who was lord of this town; also a daughter Catherine. Sir James died at a great age in the 13th year (as I take it) of King Henry VIII. and was buried in the body, or nave of the cathedral church of Norwich, on the north side, between the 9th and 10th pillars, (in a chapel formerly inclosed,) as was Margery his widow, who presented to this church in 1517, as by her will, dated September 13, 1517, proved October 24, 1517.
- ^ a b c Great Britain. Public Record Office (1898). Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: And Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office. PIMS – University of Toronto. London: Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Eyre and Spottiswoode. p. 257.
417. Edward Knyvet, esquire. Commission 10 April, inquisition 28 April, 16 Henry VII [1501]. He was seised at the time of his decease in fee of the under-mentioned land in Stanwey. Robert Drury, knight, Henry Teye, knight, John Levyng, of Stanwey, John Akirman, of Bures St. Mary (Sancte Marie), and Edward Croxton were seised in fee, at the time of his death, and to the use of him and his heirs, of the undermentioned manor of Rammysden Bellows; he made his last will thereof, as was said, but of the certainty of the same the jurors are wholly ignorant. Philip Carthorp, knight, and Henry Tey, knight, were seised in fee, at the time of his death, and to the use of him and his heirs, of the under-mentioned manor of Wheteley; he made his last will thereof, &c. as above. James Hobart and Margery, his wife, late the wife of John Doreward, esquire, at the time of his death were seised, for the term of the life of the said Margery, of the under-mentioned manors of Belhous, &c. in Stanwey, with remainder after her death to the said Edward, Robert Drury, knight, Henry Tey, knight, John Barker, of Melford, John Akirman, of Bures, John Leving, of Stanwey, and Thomas Croxton, of Rammesden Belhous, their heirs and assigns, to the use of the said Edward and his heirs. He was seised at the time of his decease of the under-mentioned manor of Downhall, and died so seised. He died 4 February last. Elizabeth Knyvet, aged 11 and more at the time of his death, is his daughter and heir. Immediately after his death John Raynesford, knight, abducted the said Elizabeth to places unknown and still detains her in his custody. Essex. Six messuages, 400a. land, 300a. pasture, 40a. meadow, 60a. wood, 6l. rent, in Stanwey, worth 18l., held of the king, as of the manor of Lexden, being in the king's hands by reason of the forfeiture of John Radclyf, knight, late lord de Fitzwater, attainted of high treason by authority of parliament. Manor of Rammysden Bellows, worth 17l., tenure unknown. Manor of Wheteley in Reyley, worth 10l., tenure unknown. Manors called Belhous or Belhows, Howes, Oliveres, Kirton and Shrebbe, in Stanwey, worth 20l., held of the king, as of the said manor of Lexden. Manor of Downhall in Railey, worth 8l., held of the king, as of the honor of Rayleigh. C, Series II. Vol. 15. (28.) Wt. 3777. IH 17
- ^ Great Britain. Public Record Office (1898). Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: And Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office. PIMS – University of Toronto. London: Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Eyre and Spottiswoode. p. 258.
418. Edward Knyvet, esquire. Commission 10 April, inquisition 28 April, 16 Henry VII [1501]. He was seised of the under-mentioned manors, &c. at the time of his decease, which thereupon descended to his daughter and heir. Death and heir, &c. as in No. 417. Suffolk. Manor of Castelynes in Great and Litte (Magna et Parva) Waldyngfeld, manor of Castelynes in Groton, manor of Samfordes in Great and Little Waldyngfeld, and six messuages, 400a. land, 200a. pasture, 40a, meadow, 100s. rent, 60a. wood, in Great and Little Waldyngfeld and Groton, worth 20l, whereof the manor of Castelynes in Groton is held of the provost of the college of St. Mary and St. Nicholas of Cambridge, in right of his college aforesaid, as of his priory of Kersey, service unknown, and the residue of the king, by knight service, as of the honor of Clare. C. Series II. Vol. 15. (29.) 419. Edward Knyvet, esquire. Commission 10 April, inquisition 8 May, 16 Henry VII [1501]. He died 4 February last, seised of the under-mentioned manor, which thereupon descended to Elizabeth Knyvet, his daughter and heir. She was aged 11 and more at the time of his death. Kent. Manor of Newenton Belhows, otherwise called Newenton next (juxta) Heth, worth 40 marks, held of the king in chief, by service of 1/20 of a knight's fee. C. Series II. Vol. 15. (30.)
- ^ a b "Inquisitions Post Mortem, Henry VII, Entries 51-100 | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
C. Series II. Vol. 12. (80.) – 80. ALEXANDER CRESSENER. - Writ of Mandamus 21 May, inquisition 29 May, 13 Henry VII [1498]. - He was seised of the under-mentioned manor in fee, and being so seised demised it to Anne, then the wife of John Cressener, his son, for the term of her life, by virtue of which she was seised thereof in her demesne as of free tenement with reversion expectant to him and his heirs, and died so seised 20 October last. He died seised of the reversion aforesaid, 18 June, 11 Henry VII. John Cressener, aged 13 and more, is his cousin and next heir. - HUNTINGDON. Manor of Eynysbury, worth 5 marks, held of the lord John de Ferers, service unknown. - C. Series II. Vol. 12. (81.) – 81. ANNE KNYVET, formerly the wife of JOHN CRESSENER, esquire. - Writ 16 May, inquisition 24 May, 13 Henry VII [1498]. - Findings as in No. 80. John Cressener, aged 13 and more, is son and heir of the said Anne Knyvett, and cousin and heir of the said Alexander, viz. son of John, his son.
- ^ Great Britain. Public Record Office (1898). Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: And Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office. PIMS – University of Toronto. London: Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Eyre and Spottiswoode. p. 67.
101. Anne Knyvet, formerly the wife of John Cressener, esquire. Writ of Amotus 16 May, inquisition 20 May, 13 Henry VII [1498]. She died 20 October last. John Cressener, aged 13 and more, is her son and heir. Suffolk. She held no lands. C. Series II. Vol. 12. (105.)
- ^ Great Britain. Public Record Office (1898). Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: And Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office. PIMS – University of Toronto. London: Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Eyre and Spottiswoode. p. 65.
95. John Cressener. Writ of Mandamus 21 May, inquisition Wednesday after the Nativity of St. John, the Baptist, 13 Henry VII [1498]. John Cressener, esquire, died 24 August, 1 Henry VII [1485]. John Cressener, aged 13 and more, is his son and heir. Essex. He held no lands. C. Series II. Vol. 12. (97.)
- ^ Harleian Society (1891). Rye, W. (ed.). The Visitacion of Norffolk, Made and Taken by William Harvey, Clarencieux King of Arms, Anno 1563, Enlarged With Another Visitacion Made by Clarenceux Cooke, With Many Other Descents; as Also the Visitation Made by John Raven, Richmond, Anno 1613. Vol. 32. Robarts – University of Toronto: The Publications of the Harleian Society. London. p. 64.
- ^ Metcalfe, Walter C. (Walter Charles). The Visitations Of Essex By Hawley, 1552; Hervey, 1558; Cooke, 1570; Raven, 1612; And Owen And Lilly, 1634 : To Which Are Added Miscellaneous Essex Pedigrees From Various Harleian Manuscripts, And An Appendix Containing Berry's Essex Pedigrees. Family History Library. p. 96.
Sr John Raynes-ford Knt. ob. s.p. = da. & h. to Edw. Knevett by Anne Calthrope.
- ^ "Lambourne: Manors | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
By 1411 the manor had passed to Thomas Lampet, whose widow Elizabeth was then holding it for life. (fn. 24) In that year it was settled upon William Lampet, 'kinsman' of Thomas. (fn. 25) In 1412 it was said to be held by Isabel Lampet. (fn. 26) She was probably identical with the Elizabeth of 1411. The manor subsequently passed to John Lampet, who was succeeded before 1456-60 by his daughter Cecily wife of William Curzon. (fn. 27) A William Curzon died holding Lambourne in 1485. It was then stated that Robert Curzon had enfeoffed certain persons with the manor. (fn. 28) This implies that Robert was the predecessor of the lastnamed William. That the William Curzon who died in 1485 was a young man and not identical with the William Curzon of 1456-60 is also suggested by the fact that he left an infant daughter, Mary, as his heir. (fn. 29) Mary apparently married a member of the Tey family, of Ardleigh, probably Sir Thomas Tey (d. 1540). (fn. 30) Sir Thomas made a conveyance of the manor in 1520. (fn. 31) Lambourne was apparently not among his possessions at his death. By 1547 it had passed to Robert Barfoot, who died in that year. (fn. 32)
- ^ a b c Nicolas, Nicholas Harris (1826). Testamenta Vetusta: Being Illustrations From Wills, of Manners, Customs, &C. as Well as of the Descents and Possessions of Many Distinguished Families. From the Reign of Henry the Second to the Accession of Queen Elizabeth;. Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. London, Nichols & son. p. 294.
- ^ Connolly, Margaret. "Another Medieval London Widow: The Story of Beatrice Cornburgh" (PDF). Ricardian: 154.
- ^ Virgoe, Roger (1992). "Norfolk Archaeology". The Earlier Knyvetts: The Rise of a Norfolk Gentry Family – Part Ⅱ (PDF). Vol. 41 (3). Norfolk & Norwich Archaeological Society. p. 262.
- ^ Colin Richmond, The Paston Family in the Fifteenth Century: Endings (Manchester, 2000), p. 20 fn. 6.
- ^ 'House of Cluniac nuns: The abbey of Delapre', in R.M. Serjeantson and W.R.D. Adkins (eds), A History of the County of Northampton, Vol. 2, (V.C.H., London 1906), pp. 114-16 (British History Online).