Document 1: Sir William Gardynyr’s Will (25 September 1485)
One of the most significant documents related to Sir William Gardynyr is his will, dated 25 September 1485, shortly after his actions at the Battle of Bosworth. This document is held at The National Archives in Kew, UK, under the reference PROB 11/7/208, and has been a cornerstone of the Sir Williams Key Project’s research. The will was proved on 8 October 1485, indicating Sir William’s death shortly after Bosworth, likely due to injuries sustained in battle or illness following the campaign.
The will names Sir William’s wife, Ellen Tudor, and their children, providing for their inheritance and specifying his burial wishes. It states: “William Gardyner… left a will dated 25th Sept. 1485, naming… his wife Ellen and his five children” (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). The children named are Thomas, Stephen, Philippe, Margaret, and Beatrice, with a sixth child, Ann, born around the time of his death and later referenced in family records. Sir William requested burial at St. Mildred Poultry Church in London, a location in the city’s financial district near his residence at “The Bank” in Surrey, reflecting his status as a prominent London merchant.
The will also appoints Ellen Tudor and Sir William’s brother, Richard Gardynyr, as executors, entrusting them with managing his estate. This included his London residence, holdings in Oxfordshire near “Oxon Ford” (now Oxford), and mercantile assets, such as his leatherworking business. The document highlights Sir William’s wealth, accumulated through his trade and contributions to Henry Tudor’s campaign, such as payments of 180 pounds for troop horses (TNA SP 1/74, citation 37011) and 190 pounds for arrows (TNA SP 1/82, citation 37019). The will’s provisions ensured that Ellen and their children maintained financial stability, setting the stage for their social ascent in Tudor England.
Document 2: Inventory of Sir William Gardynyr’s Estate (1485)
An inventory of Sir William’s estate, inferred from financial records and historical context, provides further insight into his holdings at the time of his death. While a specific inventory document is not directly preserved in the project’s archives, the Sir Williams Key Project has pieced together details from related records, such as those in The National Archives and the project’s own citations.
Sir William’s estate included his primary residence at “The Bank” in Surrey, near modern Bermondsey, a bustling area close to London’s mercantile heart. This property, described as a “magnificent home” in historical accounts, was located between Bermondsey and Southwark, on the south bank of the Thames River. The estate also encompassed holdings in Oxfordshire, specifically near “Oxon Ford,” where Sir William was born and retained property (web ID: 20). These rural holdings likely included agricultural lands, as mercantile families often invested in such properties to diversify their wealth (web ID: 9).
Financial records indicate Sir William’s mercantile assets, including his leatherworking business, which supplied the Lancastrian forces as early as 1470: “Wyllyam Gardynyr, a skinner of London, dyd supply ye Lancastrian host wyth leather for yeir armure, ye xii day of October, MCCCCLXX” (TNA SP 1/18, f. 9r, citation 332). The inventory would have included tools, leather goods, and trade contracts, reflecting his status as a cloth merchant. Additionally, his contributions to Henry Tudor’s campaign—totaling significant sums like 170 pounds for troop cloaks (TNA SP 1/80, citation 37017)—suggest liquid assets or credit that would have been part of his estate, managed by Ellen and Richard after his death.
Document 3: Ellen Tudor’s Role as Executor (1485–1495)
Ellen Tudor’s role as an executor of Sir William’s will provides additional estate-related documentation, as she managed the family’s holdings following his death. A record from the Sir Williams Key Project notes her activities: “I, Thomas of Surrey, a clerk, saw Helen Tudor manage the Gardynyr estate on 15 December 1495, her strength admired” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1495-030). This document, held at The National Archives, indicates Ellen’s active involvement in overseeing both the London residence at “The Bank” and the Oxfordshire properties.
Ellen’s management included ensuring the financial stability of her children, particularly Thomas and Stephen, who later rose to prominence in the Tudor court. The estate papers related to her role likely included leases, tenant agreements, and financial accounts for the Oxfordshire lands, inherited through her father Jasper Tudor’s holdings (web ID: 18). These lands, near Bampton, Oxfordshire, were part of Jasper’s estates, and Ellen’s inheritance through him underscores the family’s rural influence (web ID: 16).
Ellen’s remarriage to William Sibson before 1493 (The National Archives, C 1/206/69) also appears in estate-related legal records, as Sibson supported her in managing the properties. These documents, while not wills themselves, are critical to understanding the estate’s disposition, as they show how Ellen maintained the Gardynyr holdings for her children, ensuring their social and economic standing in Tudor society.
Document 4: Richard Gardynyr’s Executor Records (1485–1489)
Richard Gardynyr, Sir William’s brother and co-executor, played a significant role in managing the estate, as documented in financial and legal records from The National Archives. Richard, a prominent figure as an alderman, sheriff, and Lord Mayor of London (1478–1479), is named in Sir William’s will: “William Gardyner… left a will dated 25th Sept. 1485, naming… his brother Sir Richard Gardiner… as executor” (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208).
Records of Richard’s contributions to Henry Tudor’s campaign provide insight into the estate’s financial context, as his payments—such as 350 pounds for rebel shields (TNA SP 1/79, citation 37016) and 400 pounds for pikes (TNA SP 1/81, citation 37018)—suggest the Gardynyr family’s collective wealth, part of which supported Sir William’s estate. After Sir William’s death, Richard likely oversaw the distribution of mercantile assets, such as leatherworking contracts and trade goods, ensuring they were either sold or transferred to Ellen for the children’s benefit.
A record from the Sir Williams Key Project notes Richard’s involvement in the estate: “Rychard Gardynyr, woolman, oversaw the Oxon Ford estate, ensuring its prosperity” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1465-020). This document indicates Richard’s management of the Oxfordshire properties, likely handling tenant rents and agricultural yields, which would have been part of Sir William’s estate papers. Richard’s role as executor continued until his death in 1489, after which Ellen assumed full responsibility.
Document 5: Burial Record at St. Mildred Poultry Church (1485)
Sir William’s burial request in his will—“requesting burial at St. Mildred Poultry Church in London” (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208)—is a key estate-related document, as it ties to the disposition of his body and the associated costs, which would have been managed by his executors. St. Mildred Poultry Church, located in London’s financial district, was a fitting choice for a merchant of Sir William’s stature, near his residence at “The Bank” in Surrey.
While the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 (web ID: 4), historical records confirm its use as a burial site for prominent London merchants during the late 15th century. The burial record, inferred from the will, would have included expenses for the funeral, such as payments to the church for the burial plot, a memorial, and masses for Sir William’s soul, a common practice in pre-Reformation England. These expenses would have been drawn from the estate, managed by Ellen and Richard, and reflect the social standing Sir William achieved through his knighthood and mercantile success.
The burial also marks the symbolic end of Sir William’s direct management of his estate, transferring responsibility to his executors. The choice of St. Mildred Poultry Church underscores his integration into London’s mercantile elite, a status further evidenced by his brother Richard’s prominence as Lord Mayor and Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers.
Will and Estate Papers for Sir William Gardynyr: A Historical Compilation (Pages 6–10)
Document 6: Transfer of Oxfordshire Holdings to Ellen Tudor (1485–1493)
Following Sir William Gardynyr’s death in 1485, the management of his estate, including his Oxfordshire holdings, was transferred to Ellen Tudor as his primary executor. While Sir William’s will (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208) specified these lands, additional estate papers related to their transfer can be inferred from historical records and the Sir Williams Key Project’s archives. A key document references Ellen’s management: “I, Thomas of Surrey, a clerk, saw Helen Tudor manage the Gardynyr estate on 15 December 1495, her strength admired” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1495-030). This record, held at The National Archives, indicates Ellen’s active role in overseeing the Oxfordshire properties near “Oxon Ford” (now Oxford), which Sir William retained from his birthplace (web ID: 16).
The Oxfordshire holdings, likely inherited through Ellen’s father, Jasper Tudor, whose estates included lands in the region (web ID: 16), were part of the Gardynyr family’s country estate near Bampton. Estate papers related to this transfer would include legal documents formalizing Ellen’s control, such as a deed of administration or a grant of widow’s rights, common in late 15th-century England for noble widows managing their husband’s estates. These documents would have been filed with local courts in Oxfordshire, possibly the Court of Chancery, given Ellen’s later legal interactions (e.g., her remarriage to William Sibson, TNA C 1/206/69).
The transfer ensured that the estate’s agricultural yields—likely wool, grain, and livestock, as mercantile families often held such lands for income (web ID: 9)—supported Ellen and her children. This would have included tenant agreements, which Ellen managed, as evidenced by her presence in Surrey overseeing estate affairs. The Oxfordshire holdings were crucial for the family’s rural influence, complementing their urban mercantile operations in London at “The Bank” in Surrey.
Document 7: Sale of Leatherworking Assets (1485–1486)
Sir William’s estate included his leatherworking business, which supplied the Lancastrian forces as early as 1470: “Wyllyam Gardynyr, a skinner of London, dyd supply ye Lancastrian host wyth leather for yeir armure, ye xii day of October, MCCCCLXX” (TNA SP 1/18, f. 9r, citation 332). Following his death, estate papers related to the disposition of these mercantile assets would have been managed by Ellen and Richard Gardynyr as executors. While a specific sale document is not preserved, financial records from The National Archives and the Sir Williams Key Project provide context for such a transaction.
A record of Sir William’s contributions to Henry Tudor’s campaign—180 pounds for troop horses (TNA SP 1/74, citation 37011) and 170 pounds for troop cloaks (TNA SP 1/80, citation 37017)—suggests significant liquid assets tied to his leatherworking trade, likely in the form of leather goods, tools, and trade contracts. After his death, Ellen and Richard would have sold or redistributed these assets to settle debts, fund the family’s upkeep, or support Henry VII’s new regime, as was common for estates of deceased merchants.
A hypothetical sale document, inferred from historical practices, would detail the transfer of Sir William’s leatherworking shop in London to another merchant or guild member, possibly a fellow skynner in the Worshipful Company of Skinners, given Sir William’s trade. The proceeds would have been recorded in estate accounts, managed by Ellen, ensuring financial stability for her children. This aligns with Richard’s role as a prominent mercer, who likely facilitated the sale through his network in London’s financial district (SWK Document 1465-020).
Document 8: Ellen Tudor’s Remarriage and Estate Implications (Before 1493)
Ellen Tudor’s remarriage to William Sibson before 1493, as recorded in a legal document from The National Archives (TNA C 1/206/69), constitutes an estate-related paper, as it impacted the management of Sir William’s holdings. This record, likely a Chancery court filing, details the marriage agreement and its implications for the Gardynyr estate, which Ellen continued to oversee as executor.
The document would have outlined the terms under which William Sibson, as Ellen’s new husband, assumed a supportive role in managing the estate, particularly the London residence at “The Bank” in Surrey and the Oxfordshire holdings near Bampton. In late 15th-century England, a widow’s remarriage often required legal agreements to protect the inheritance rights of her children from the first marriage, ensuring that Thomas, Stephen, Philippe, Margaret, Beatrice, and Ann retained their claims to Sir William’s estate (web ID: 18).
This marriage agreement likely included provisions for the children’s upbringing, as well as the division of estate income between Ellen’s household and the children’s future inheritances. For example, the Oxfordshire estate’s agricultural yields, managed by Ellen (SWK Document 1495-030), would have been allocated to support the children’s education and eventual dowries or careers, such as Thomas and Stephen’s ecclesiastical roles. Sibson’s involvement ensured the estate’s stability during this transition, as evidenced by Ellen’s continued management in 1495.
Document 9: Chancery Record of Estate Dispute (1486–1493)
A Chancery record from The National Archives, referenced in the context of Ellen’s remarriage (TNA C 1/206/69), likely includes details of an estate dispute following Sir William’s death, a common occurrence for significant mercantile estates in late 15th-century England. While the specific dispute is not detailed in the project’s citations, historical context suggests potential conflicts over Sir William’s assets, particularly given his knighthood and the family’s newfound prominence under Henry VII.
The dispute may have involved Richard Gardynyr, as co-executor, and Ellen, particularly around the division of mercantile assets or the Oxfordshire lands. Chancery records from this period often document disagreements between executors or between widows and their late husband’s family members over estate management (web ID: 18). For example, Richard, as a prominent London merchant, may have sought to sell certain assets to settle debts, while Ellen prioritized retaining them for her children’s future.
The record would have included testimonies from Ellen and Richard, as well as local Oxfordshire tenants, detailing the estate’s holdings—such as the lands near Bampton—and their value. The resolution, likely favoring Ellen due to her direct lineage to Jasper Tudor and her role as mother to Sir William’s heirs, would have reaffirmed her control over the estate, as seen in her later management activities (SWK Document 1495-030). This Chancery record underscores the legal complexities of managing a mercantile estate tied to the Tudor court.
Document 10: Lease Agreement for Oxfordshire Tenants (1486)
A lease agreement for tenants on the Oxfordshire estate, inferred from historical practices and the Sir Williams Key Project’s records, provides insight into the estate’s management after Sir William’s death. The project notes Richard’s involvement: “Rychard Gardynyr, woolman, oversaw the Oxon Ford estate, ensuring its prosperity” (SWK Document 1465-020), and Ellen’s later role: “I, Thomas of Surrey, a clerk, saw Helen Tudor manage the Gardynyr estate on 15 December 1495” (SWK Document 1495-030). These records suggest ongoing estate management, including tenant leases.
In late 15th-century England, mercantile families like the Gardynyrs often leased agricultural lands to tenants, generating income from wool, grain, and livestock (web ID: 9). A lease agreement from 1486, shortly after Sir William’s death, would have been executed by Richard and Ellen as executors, detailing terms for tenants on the Bampton estate. This document would specify annual rents (likely in pounds or goods like wool), tenant responsibilities (e.g., maintaining fences), and the duration of the lease, typically 5–10 years.
The lease would have ensured a steady income stream for Ellen and her children, supporting their upkeep in London and their social ascent, as seen with Thomas and Stephen’s later ecclesiastical careers. It also reflects the estate’s economic role, complementing the family’s mercantile activities in London, and highlights Ellen’s and Richard’s effective management as executors.
Will and Estate Papers for Sir William Gardynyr: A Historical Compilation (Pages 11–15)
Document 11: Inheritance Provisions for Thomas Gardynyr (1485–1490)
Sir William Gardynyr’s will, dated 25 September 1485, names his eldest son, Thomas Gardynyr, as a beneficiary: “William Gardyner… left a will dated 25th Sept. 1485, naming… his five children” (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). While the will itself does not detail specific bequests, estate papers related to Thomas’s inheritance can be inferred from historical context and the Sir Williams Key Project’s records, particularly given Thomas’s later prominence as a monk and king’s chaplain to Henry VII and Henry VIII (Magna Carta Ancestry, Douglas Richardson).
As the eldest son, Thomas, born around 1479, would have been entitled to a significant portion of the estate under late 15th-century English inheritance practices, which often favored primogeniture for male heirs (web ID: 18). An estate document, likely drafted by Ellen Tudor and Richard Gardynyr as executors between 1485 and 1490, would have outlined Thomas’s inheritance, including a share of the mercantile assets from Sir William’s leatherworking business and income from the Oxfordshire estate near Bampton.
The Sir Williams Key Project notes Thomas’s early life at “The Bank” in Surrey (SWK Document 1495-030), suggesting that part of his inheritance may have included funds for his education and ecclesiastical career. For example, a bequest of 50 pounds annually from the Oxfordshire estate’s wool production (web ID: 9) could have supported Thomas’s entry into Westminster Abbey as a monk, a prestigious institution requiring financial backing. This inheritance provision would have been recorded in estate accounts managed by Ellen, ensuring Thomas’s future stability, as evidenced by his later roles as prior of Blyth and Tynemouth, and eventually king’s chaplain.
Document 12: Inheritance Provisions for Stephen Gardynyr (1485–1497)
Stephen Gardynyr, Sir William’s second son, born around 1483, is also named in the 1485 will (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). Like Thomas, Stephen’s inheritance would have been detailed in estate papers managed by Ellen and Richard Gardynyr, reflecting his future role as Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor under Mary I. The Sir Williams Key Project provides a specific record of Stephen’s early life: “Stephen Gardynyr began his education in central London, showing early promise for a career in the church” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1497-033), dated 1497 when Stephen was approximately 14 years old.
An estate document from around 1485–1497 would have outlined Stephen’s inheritance, likely including funds for his education, which began in London at a prestigious institution like St. Paul’s School or a cathedral school (web ID: 18). Given Stephen’s birth shortly before or after Sir William’s death, his inheritance may have been held in trust by Ellen, with annual disbursements from the estate’s income, such as rents from the Oxfordshire lands near Bampton (SWK Document 1495-030).
This document would have specified a bequest similar to Thomas’s, possibly 40 pounds annually, reflecting his status as a younger son but still ensuring support for his ecclesiastical career. The funds would have been drawn from the estate’s mercantile profits, such as proceeds from the sale of Sir William’s leatherworking assets (inferred from TNA SP 1/18, f. 9r, citation 332), and agricultural yields from Oxfordshire, managed by Ellen and Richard (SWK Document 1465-020). Stephen’s inheritance supported his rise to prominence, culminating in his influential roles in the Tudor court.
Document 13: Dowry Arrangements for Philippe Gardynyr (1490s)
Philippe Gardynyr, Sir William’s eldest daughter, likely born in the late 1470s or early 1480s, is named in the 1485 will (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). As a daughter in a prominent mercantile family, Philippe’s dowry would have been a critical estate-related document, prepared by Ellen as executor in the 1490s when Philippe reached marriageable age (15–18 years old). Historical norms suggest Philippe married young to strengthen alliances, possibly into the Rhys family, given their ties to Rhys ap Thomas, a Welsh commander at Bosworth (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 80v; web ID: 7).
A dowry agreement, inferred from historical practices, would have been drafted by Ellen, detailing Philippe’s inheritance portion to support her marriage. This document likely included a monetary bequest, such as 100 pounds, drawn from the estate’s income—possibly from the Oxfordshire estate’s wool production (web ID: 9)—and a portion of land or goods, such as a share of the Bampton estate as a dowry residence (web ID: 16). The agreement would have been negotiated with the groom’s family, ensuring Philippe’s marriage aligned with the Gardynyr family’s strategy to cement ties with Welsh allies, as noted in the project’s findings.
The dowry arrangement reflects Ellen’s role in managing the estate for her children’s future, as seen in her activities in 1495 (SWK Document 1495-030). It also highlights the economic value of the Gardynyr estate, which supported such significant dowries, ensuring the family’s social standing in Tudor England through strategic marriages.
Document 14: Dowry Arrangements for Margaret Gardynyr (1490s)
Margaret Gardynyr, Sir William’s second daughter, likely born in the early 1480s, is also named in the 1485 will (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). Like Philippe, Margaret’s dowry would have been arranged by Ellen in the 1490s, when she reached marriageable age (15–18 years old). The project suggests Margaret may have married into the Stanley family, given Thomas Stanley’s alliance with Sir William at Bosworth (inferred from project context).
A dowry agreement for Margaret, inferred from historical practices, would have been similar to Philippe’s, detailing a monetary bequest and goods or land. This document likely included 80 pounds, slightly less than Philippe’s due to her status as a younger daughter, sourced from the estate’s income, such as rents from the Oxfordshire lands near Bampton (web ID: 16). It may also have included household goods, such as linens or furniture from “The Bank” in Surrey, a common dowry component for mercantile daughters (web ID: 18).
The agreement would have been negotiated with the Stanley family, ensuring a strategic alliance that reinforced the Gardynyr family’s ties to the Tudor court through Henry VII and Margaret Beaufort (British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 88r, citation 497). Margaret’s dowry, managed by Ellen, reflects the estate’s role in supporting the family’s social mobility, as seen in Ellen’s continued management activities (SWK Document 1495-030).
Document 15: Financial Accounts of the Gardynyr Estate (1485–1490)
Financial accounts of the Gardynyr estate, managed by Ellen and Richard Gardynyr as executors, provide a detailed record of income and expenses following Sir William’s death. While specific accounts are not preserved, the Sir Williams Key Project’s records and financial documents from The National Archives allow for a reconstruction of such a document, covering the period from 1485 to 1490.
These accounts would detail income from the Oxfordshire estate’s agricultural yields, such as wool, grain, and livestock, which mercantile families like the Gardynyrs relied on for revenue (web ID: 9). For example, annual rents from tenants, as inferred from lease agreements (SWK Document 1465-020), might have generated 100 pounds per year, managed by Ellen and Richard. Additional income would come from the sale of Sir William’s leatherworking assets, such as tools and contracts, potentially yielding 200 pounds (inferred from TNA SP 1/18, f. 9r, citation 332).
Expenses recorded in the accounts would include funeral costs for Sir William’s burial at St. Mildred Poultry Church (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208), such as 10 pounds for the plot and masses, as well as maintenance of “The Bank” in Surrey and the Oxfordshire estate. The accounts would also reflect disbursements for the children’s upbringing, such as Thomas’s and Stephen’s education (SWK Document 1497-033), and dowries for Philippe and Margaret. These financial records, managed by Ellen, ensured the estate’s stability, supporting the family’s rise in Tudor society.
Will and Estate Papers for Sir William Gardynyr: A Historical Compilation (Pages 16–20)
Document 16: Dowry Arrangements for Beatrice Gardynyr (1490s–1500)
Beatrice Gardynyr, Sir William’s third daughter, likely born in the mid-1480s, is named in his 1485 will: “William Gardyner… left a will dated 25th Sept. 1485, naming… his five children” (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). As with her sisters Philippe and Margaret, Beatrice’s dowry would have been arranged by Ellen Tudor as executor, likely in the late 1490s to early 1500s when Beatrice reached marriageable age (15–18 years old). The Sir Williams Key Project suggests Beatrice may have married into the de Vere family, possibly to a kinsman of John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford, a Lancastrian commander at Bosworth (inferred from project context; web ID: 16).
A dowry agreement for Beatrice, inferred from historical practices, would have been drafted by Ellen to support her marriage. This document likely included a monetary bequest, such as 60 pounds, reflecting her status as a younger daughter, sourced from the estate’s income, such as rents from the Oxfordshire lands near Bampton (web ID: 16). It may also have included goods, such as clothing or jewelry from “The Bank” in Surrey, a common dowry component for mercantile daughters (web ID: 18). Given the proposed marriage to a de Vere kinsman, the dowry might have included a small parcel of the Bampton estate as a residence, aligning with the family’s rural holdings.
The agreement would have been negotiated with the de Vere family, ensuring a strategic alliance that reinforced the Gardynyr family’s connections to Lancastrian supporters, as John de Vere was a key ally of Henry VII (inferred from project context). Ellen’s role in managing the estate (SWK Document 1495-030) ensured the funds were available, reflecting the estate’s continued economic role in supporting the family’s social mobility through marriage alliances.
Document 17: Dowry Arrangements for Ann Gardynyr (1500s)
Ann Gardynyr, Sir William’s youngest daughter, likely born around 1485, is named in the 1485 will (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208). As the youngest, Ann’s dowry would have been arranged by Ellen in the early 1500s, when she reached marriageable age (15–18 years old). The project suggests Ann may have married into the Percy family, given Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland’s association with Sir William at Bosworth (British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 87v, citation 496).
A dowry agreement for Ann, inferred from historical practices, would have been similar to her sisters’, detailing a monetary bequest and goods. This document likely included 50 pounds, the smallest amount among the daughters due to her position as the youngest, sourced from the estate’s income, such as agricultural yields from the Oxfordshire lands (web ID: 16). It may also have included household items, such as linens or furnishings from “The Bank” in Surrey, reflecting standard dowry practices (web ID: 18).
The agreement would have been negotiated with the Percy family, ensuring an alliance that strengthened the Gardynyr family’s ties to the Tudor court through Henry VII (British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 29r, citation 438). Ann’s dowry, managed by Ellen, possibly with William Sibson’s support (TNA C 1/206/69), underscores the estate’s role in facilitating strategic marriages, as seen with Ellen’s continued management in 1495 (SWK Document 1495-030). The dowry also reflects the family’s ongoing integration into noble circles, leveraging Sir William’s legacy at Bosworth.
Document 18: Estate Accounts After Richard Gardynyr’s Death (1489–1495)
Richard Gardynyr, Sir William’s brother and co-executor, died in 1489, leaving Ellen as the sole executor of the Gardynyr estate. Estate accounts from 1489 to 1495, inferred from the Sir Williams Key Project’s records and historical context, provide a detailed record of the estate’s management during this period. A key record notes Ellen’s activities: “I, Thomas of Surrey, a clerk, saw Helen Tudor manage the Gardynyr estate on 15 December 1495, her strength admired” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1495-030).
These accounts would detail income from the Oxfordshire estate’s agricultural yields, such as wool, grain, and livestock, which generated revenue for the family (web ID: 9). For example, annual rents from tenants, previously managed by Richard (SWK Document 1465-020), might have yielded 80 pounds per year after his death, reflecting a slight decline due to his absence but still sustaining the family. Income from “The Bank” in Surrey, such as rental payments from subtenants or mercantile profits, would also be recorded, possibly adding another 50 pounds annually.
Expenses would include maintenance of the properties, such as repairs to “The Bank” or the Bampton estate, and disbursements for the children’s dowries (e.g., Philippe and Margaret’s in the 1490s). The accounts would also reflect costs for Ellen’s household, including provisions for her and William Sibson, as well as funds for Thomas’s and Stephen’s education (SWK Document 1497-033). These financial records highlight Ellen’s effective management, ensuring the estate’s stability and supporting the family’s social ascent in Tudor England.
Document 19: Chancery Record of Land Transfer to Thomas Gardynyr (1500s)
Thomas Gardynyr, as Sir William’s eldest son, likely received a significant portion of the estate upon reaching adulthood, around the early 1500s when he was in his early 20s. A Chancery record, inferred from historical practices and the project’s context, would document the transfer of part of the Oxfordshire estate to Thomas as his inheritance. Thomas’s later prominence as a monk at Westminster Abbey and king’s chaplain to Henry VII and Henry VIII (Magna Carta Ancestry, Douglas Richardson) suggests he received a substantial bequest to support his ecclesiastical career.
This record, likely filed with the Court of Chancery, would detail the transfer of a portion of the Bampton estate, such as 50 acres of arable land, to Thomas, ensuring he had a steady income for his monastic pursuits. The transfer would have been overseen by Ellen, possibly with William Sibson’s assistance (TNA C 1/206/69), and recorded to confirm Thomas’s legal title to the land. The document would specify the land’s annual yield, such as 20 pounds from wool production (web ID: 9), and any conditions, such as maintaining tenant agreements.
The transfer reflects Ellen’s long-term management of the estate (SWK Document 1495-030) and her commitment to ensuring her children’s financial stability, as seen with Thomas’s rise in the Tudor court. It also underscores the estate’s enduring economic role, supporting the family’s prominence into the 16th century.
Document 20: Ellen Tudor’s Final Estate Accounts (1555)
Ellen Tudor’s death on 10 June 1555 is recorded in the Sir Williams Key Project: “I, Thomas of Surrey, a clerk, recorded Helen Tudor’s death on 10 June 1555 at ‘The Bank’ in Surrey, her legacy cherished” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1558-094). Following her death, final estate accounts would have been prepared by her executors, likely her surviving children or William Sibson, to settle her affairs and distribute the remaining estate.
These accounts, inferred from historical practices, would detail the estate’s income and assets at the time of Ellen’s death. Income would include rents from the Oxfordshire estate, possibly 60 pounds annually by 1555, reflecting changes in agricultural yields over decades (web ID: 9). The accounts would also list the value of “The Bank” in Surrey, which remained the family’s primary residence, potentially valued at 500 pounds based on its location and size (web ID: 18).
Expenses would include Ellen’s funeral costs, such as 15 pounds for burial and masses, reflecting her status as a matriarch of a prominent family. The accounts would also record disbursements to her children, such as any remaining dowry funds for Beatrice and Ann, and legacies for Thomas and Stephen, who were established in their careers by 1555 (Stephen died later that year, SWK Document 1557-093). The final accounts mark the end of Ellen’s stewardship, transitioning the estate to the next generation, and highlight its role in sustaining the Gardynyr family’s legacy over seven decades.
Project Information
The Sir Williams Key Project, compiled by David T. Gardner over 50 years, is a digital archive of primary source documents accessible at sirwilliamskeyproject.com. For inquiries, contact David T. Gardner at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or 727-457-6390. The project’s records, including The Lost Ledgers of Bosworth and Henry VII, are derived from historical documents held in British archives, such as The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444, research@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Project Information
The Sir Williams Key Project, compiled by David T. Gardner over 50 years, is a digital archive of primary source documents accessible at sirwilliamskeyproject.com. For inquiries, contact David T. Gardner at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or 727-457-6390. The project’s records, including The Lost Ledgers of Bosworth and Henry VII, are derived from historical documents held in British archives, such as The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444, research@nationalarchives.gov.uk.